GABA is an important neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation and has a role in inducing relaxation and sleep. In this article, we review and rank five leading GABA supplements for you. Read on to learn about the best GABA supplement.
Why take a GABA supplement?
Feeling blue? You may be tempted to reach for that green Prozac pill or maybe something worse to cure your depression and anxiety. Low levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, and often chronic pain.
Instead of relying on pharmaceuticals, which can be costly – or even worse – addictive, find the best GABA supplement to limit the negative messages your nerve cells are sending to your brain. The best GABA supplement will prevent your body’s neurotransmitters from working overtime and provide numerous benefits.
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- Improves sleep: A 2018 government study found people who took 300 mg of GABA half an hour before bedtime fell asleep much faster than those taking a placebo.
- Lowers blood pressure: Another government study found the best GABA supplement can lower blood pressure and help regulate your heart rate, thus reducing your chances of developing cardiovascular disease.
- Reduces ADHD: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is the fastest-growing neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed in children. In a 2004 study, researchers found children with ADHD suffered from lower levels of GABA which led to decreased impulse control. The best GABA supplement can correct the chemical imbalance.
- Reduces stress and fatigue: Japanese researchers found that as little as 50 mg of GABA can reduce mental and physical fatigue. Test subjects who took 100 mg of GABA did even better on stress-inducing mental tasks.
- Ease premenstrual symptoms: The Journal of the American Medical Association found that most women see a decrease in GABA levels during their menstrual cycle, which often leads to increased stress and irritability.
- Prevents seizures: GABA regulates excitability in the brain’s cerebral cortex, which counterbalances the neuronal excitement that often leads to seizures.
- Relieves pain: Pharmacological studies show the best GABA supplement, much like an addictive narcotic, will inhibit the brain’s response to pain.
Is GABA natural?
Your brain produces this natural amino acid to protect your body from overload. When your adrenal glands trigger your heartbeat to speed up or your blood pressure to rise, your body’s gamma-aminobutyric acid prevents your brain from over-triggering a response. You’ll also find it in many everyday foods.
- Potatoes
- Brown rice
- Tomatoes
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Cabbage
- Brussels sprouts
But researchers aren’t clear if the foods containing GABA allow this beneficial amino acid to reach your brain. The best GABA supplement will ensure you’re getting the maximum benefits, so you won’t be forced to eat all your Brussels sprouts.
Finding The Best GABA Supplement: Top 5 Brands Reviewed is an original (MedNewsPedia) article
Finding the best GABA supplement
When we searched for the best GABA supplement, we looked at cost, effectiveness, money-back guarantees, side effects, and customer reviews. Here are our top five brands reviewed:
#5 Golden Saffron GABA
Cost: $45.90 for a 30-day supply, which includes shipping and handling.
Effectiveness: Each capsule contains 950 mg of GABA and 50 mg of saffron extract to help relieve stress.
Money-back guarantee: Yes, if the product is returned within 60 days.
Side effects: Too much GABA can lead to daytime tiredness.
Customer reviews: Customers give Golden Saffron GABA 4 out of 5 stars.
Drawbacks: 950mg of GABA may be overdoing it, as doctors recommend taking a maximum of 800 mg daily. Too much GABA could interact negatively with other medications and result in daytime sleepiness.
#4 Thorne PharmaGABA-100
Cost: $28 for a 30-day supply of 100 mg capsules and $55 for 250 mg capsules with free shipping.
Effectiveness: The capsules are effective if taken at least twice a day. Thorne recommends taking the 100 mg capsules as often as three times a day, which makes it one of the more expensive choices.
Money-back guarantee: Thorne offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Customer reviews: Customers give Thorne PharmaGABA 4.6 out of 5 stars.
#3 Natural Stacks GABA Brain Food
Cost: $35 for a 20-day supply (each serving consists of three 211 mg capsules.)
Effectiveness: The GABA in the product is an excellent sleep aid. The product also includes L-citrulline, which is often used to treat erectile dysfunction, so in some cases, a dose before bedtime may not be sleep-inducing.
Money-back guarantee: They’re so confident you’ll like their product, they’ll let you keep the first bottle and refund 100% of your money if you’re not satisfied.
Customer reviews: Customers give this product 4 out of 5 stars.
#2 Life Extension Pharma GABA
Cost: $25.50 for 60 capsules. But the dosage calls for two 100 mg capsules three times a day, so you’re only getting a 20-day supply with each bottle.
Effectiveness: The capsules induce calm and relieve stress, but often induce sleepiness when a dose is taken in the middle of the day.
Money-back guarantee: The guarantee lasts one year.
Customer reviews: The two customers who left reviews give it 4 out of 5 stars.
#1 myPEAK DeltaSleep
Cost: $26.50 for a 30-day supply, which includes shipping and handling.
Effectiveness: Each capsule contains 250mg of GABA… just enough for a daily dose. The doctors who developed it gave the capsules the added benefit of vitamin B, chamomile extract, valerian root powder, and melatonin for a good night’s rest.
Money-back guarantee: They offer a 100% money-back guarantee on all supplements.
Customer reviews: Customers give myPEAK DeltaSleep 4.8 out of 5 stars.
MyPEAK DeltaSleep is not only the least expensive, but we found it to be the most effective. This brand gets extra kudos for the charitable work they do. For every bottle sold, the company donates one meal to the “Feeding America” program. myPEAK is also the best GABA supplement because the company is the most eco-friendly. myPEAK promotes sustainability by supporting organizations such as Grassroots Carbon® and Running Tide®, which promise to remove carbon for the next hundred to a thousand years.
Buyer beware…
While shopping for the best GABA supplement, don’t let a snazzy product name fool you. Many contain the word “GABA” in their name. But if you take a closer look at their ingredients, you’ll find many include beneficial herbs such as ashwagandha and L-theanine, but no gamma-aminobutyric acid. Instead, these products contain ingredients that the manufacturer claims will support your body’s ability to produce its own GABA.
Some products we looked at also made false claims about being FDA-approved. Even the best GABA supplement isn’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but the FDA classifies GABA as safe to use as a supplement and food additive. It’s no wonder researchers call it a “dream supplement” since it promises many sweet dreams to come.
Further Reading For Additional Reference:
National Library of Medicine: Safety and Efficacy of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid from Fermented Rice Germ in Patients with Insomnia Symptoms
Centers For Disease Control: What is ADHD?
The Journal of Neuropsychiatry: Neurometabolic Functioning and Neuropsychological Correlates in Children With ADHD-H
Cleveland Clinic: Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
Neurology: What Is the Role of GABA Transporters in Seizures?
Important Note: The information contained in this article (Finding The Best GABA Supplement: Top 5 Brands Reviewed) is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
