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Gaba deficiency symptoms are diverse and affect the whole body.
If you struggle with pain, anxiety, IBS, reflux, sweaty hands, insomnia or dozens of other “unrelated” health concerns, you may be showing Gaba deficiency symptoms.
The Neurotransmitter GABA
Gaba and Serotonin are our “Inhibitory” or “braking” neurotransmitters. Dopamine and Acetylcholine are more energizing or “accelerating”.
We want these four to be balanced.
GABA helps keep electrical signals in the brain balanced and steady. If electrical impulses speed up or slow down, many areas of the body can become imbalanced.
Seizures occur in people with greatly irregular electrical activity in the brain. Anti-seizure medications are one type of prescription GABA.
GABA Deficiency in Modern Life
Our 21st-century lifestyle has become too fast and too imbalanced with worry.
Alarms, pagers, traffic, the news, money and relentless busyness push us into high-Adrenaline states. This can exhaust the GABA neurotransmitter trying to keep us balanced.
GABA Deficiency Symptoms
When our Inhibitory “brakes” get burned out, we struggle with GABA deficiency symptoms such as these.
- Anxiety; worry; fear;
- Muscle tension, especially in shoulders, neck and jaw;
- Poor sleep; insomnia; early-morning awakenings; restlessness;
- Altered mood; short temper; phobias; impulsiveness; disorganization
- Disordered digestion; reflux; IBS; diarrhea;
- Blood pressure changes; hypertension, low blood pressure;
- Pain syndromes; chronic pain; migraines
- Addictions; alcoholism and other addictions such as gambling, hoarding;
- Mental imbalance; schizophrenia; depression; OCD
- Altered body functions; frequent urination; blushing; sweating; salt cravings
Many Symptoms from One Neurotransmitter
Neurotransmitters drive our brain chemistry. Our reactions to thoughts and external stimuli manifest from our neurotransmitters.
We rarely have balance in all four main neurotransmitters: GABA, Serotonin, Dopamine and Acetyl-Choline.
Some, like Dopamine, can be depleted due to disease. Others can be depleted due to medications, trauma, nutrient deficiencies or birth defects.
We may be born with certain areas of the brain stronger or weaker than other areas.
Or have traumatic events that weaken Serotonin and GABA.
The Effects of Burn-Out
Working with Clients over the last several decades, I became exhausted and began to see many of my patients experiencing burn-out too.
I was diagnosed with GABA deficiency by a specialized neurologist who supported me with herbs and medications. This changed my life and compelled me to see the effects of low GABA and an overworked, imbalanced brain.
The most common GABA deficiency symptoms are anxiety, lack of sleep, chronic Adrenal depletion, and too much worry and stress.
Differences Between GABA and Serotonin
GABA and Serotonin are our main inhibitory neurotransmitters. They are very similar in action.
There are also differences between Serotonin and GABA. In general, GABA is the “calm/balance” neurotransmitter (think “anxiety” if you have to pick a single word), and Serotonin is the “mood regulator” that fights “depression”.
Learn more about their similarities and differences in this article and Podcast called “The Brain Quiz”.
Doctors often don’t know as much about GABA as they do Serotonin. I have spoken to doctors who have never heard of GABA, yet it is equal in power and presence to Serotonin.
Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s) are often prescribed when in many cases the imbalance is the GABA deficiency.
Many practitioners don’t know how to support GABA without Xanax, Klonipin or other potentially addictive prescription drugs.
GABA Support Supplements
GABA can be supported with Passion Flower and other calming herbs such as Melissa/Lemon Balm, Valerian (stinky but effective) and Avena Sativa. This article on 5 calming herbs is helpful.
The amino acids Theanine and Pharma-Gaba work really well for many of my Clients. Take aminos away from food. Meditation, gentle exercise, massage, and quiet help too.
If a product simply states it contains “GABA” it is not recommended – it cannot cross a healthy Blood-Brain Barrier. I prefer to give clients THIS Passion Flower (I sell the alcohol or glycerite tincture forms), or, this fermented GABA which is chewable and will cross the blood brain barrier. I also use this formula, sold in my clinic. All of these support GABA deficiency and can be taken daily/regularly or as needed occasionally.
Passion Flower is mild and works in about 20 minutes. Take it night or day in incremental doses of drops. (You can also buy Passion Flower in capsules but then you can’t regulate the dose). Experiment with all the above and find a combo that works for you.
Apex Energetics Gabatone has no GABA in it but multiple precursors, aminos, minerals and GABA supportive herbs. Best taken on a regular schedule every day, breakfast and dinner, to keep feeding and balancing GABA. Your ability to remain calm, handle stress and sleep should all improve.
Avoid GABA Support If…
Do not take GABA support if taking anti-epileptics, Benzodiazepines or other sleep meds.
Or if you have had too much to drink.
For more information, use my Search feature for “anxiety.”
