12 replies to this topic

[roses13]

I had testing done which shows low GABA levels and would greatly appreciate some supplement suggestions which would be helpful.

[peakplasma]

What kind of test was this?

Do you have a history of heavy alcohol use? Or are you prescribed any benzodiazepines? If the cause of your low GABA is alcohol/benzo related then your receptors may have to upregulate themselves since GABA antagonists are a bit dangerous.

[roses13]

It was a urine test. No heavy alcohol use and no prescription drugs.

[Kompota]

I am so sceptical about that.

Those tests are absolutely irrelevant, since blood / urine / saliva measurements as a rule do not correspond with the actual levels of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. There is a natural barrier between the brain and the blood circulation, the so called blood-brain barrier. Neurotransmitters with their larger molecules don't pass through that barrier that easy. I remember one member on benzobuddies said she had done such a test and her GABA levels where higher than normal. But at that time she was in acute benzodiazepine withdrawal ! Could we really draw any conclusive information from those blood / urine tests ? Of course the aim of those tests is measuring levels of metabolits as an indirect indication of actual neurotransmitter levels, but that is a way too devious method of performing a reliable diagnose.

There is one more thing. When we talk about neurotransmitter levels in the brain, we rather mean their supposed concentrations in the synapses. However the issues about functional problems within the GABAergic system (such as withdrawal from various GABA agonists) have less likely anything to do with synaptic GABA levels. The real issue is rather about impaired receptor functionality and there is absolutely no way to diagnose that with a simple blood / urine test.

[peakplasma]

Kompota is right. Low GABA based on a urine test does not necessarily mean you have a GABA problem. Do you experience anxiety or seizures anything typical of a GABA problem?

[roses13]

I appreciate the feedback. I am under a lot of stress, wasn't dealing with it well (always irritated), and thought something was off balance so my doctor ran a lot of tests. My vitamin d levels were also low and feel a lot better since supplementing with higher dose vitamin d3.

[roses13]

Would appreciate some suggestions. I am I guess you could say tightly wound and am just really hypo reactive. If it is or isn't low gaba levels as previous posters said urine test wasn't accurate would greatly appreciate some suggestions so I can feel a little calmer.

[chung_pao]

Get your hormones checked.
Testosterone is a positive allosteric modulator of GABAa, while it also potentiates many other neurotransmitters, all regulating and orchestrating your entire mood.
Low levels will make any man miserable.

Other methods: Picamilon and Theanine are both effective at reducing anxiety and increasing GABA.

Why do you want to increase it?
If it's anxiolysis you're after, for say social situations, then phenylpiracetam+alcar, aniracetam or anything potentiating the AMPA (works for me) or nACh receptors can be help.

Edited by chung_pao, 20 June 2013 - 11:58 PM.

[roses13]

I appreciate your reply. I should have been more specific but I am a female. I do feel a lot better when I drink green tea so have been drinking more of it but I also wanted to see what other options there were. I am sure you have heard the expression to put it mildly of 'having a stick where the sun doesn't shine' and sadly that describes me. I just think my life would be easier if I was more relaxed instead of being so uptight all the time.

[golden1]

piracetam and aniracetam both seem to make me less serious(but they could just be accentuating my already relaxed non-serious view on life, not sure)
and this is pretty much an answer to most problems, but meditation seems like a prime candidate to make your perspective more relaxed.

also not trolling: Smoke weed maybe?

[Tom_]

The urine test is totally useless. Find another doctor, the one you have is suffering either from cerebral infaction or should never have been given a medical degree.
Anyway you can't generalize to a single neurotransmitter and if you are hyporeactive its certainly not from to little GABA.

Female gender, stress, "not coping well" response to L-theanine.

I am assuming you have some or all of these: sleep disturbances, feel 'down in the dumps', are unduely irritable, get less pleasure from normally fun activites, suffer anxiety, feel guility? If you have had thoughts of death or more commonly suicide then that seals the deal.

You are depressed. Congratulations. Prescription for Sertraline. I also recommend you by a book on CBT or try moodGYM and take up daily exercise and mindfulness (don't start out longer than 10 mins a day for each and work upwards). Sleep hygine is important. Omega 3 and a multi vit can't hurt. If you can't sleep gobble 0.3-3mg melatonin a night.

Get your hormones checked out if you must, they will return within normal range I am sure. Having normal bloods drawn (LFTs, TFTs, FBC etc..) are important past that unless you have symptoms its wasted money.

If you are for any reason aposed to scientific medicine then you can always try L-Tryptophan (2-5grams), SAMe, B vit complex, Vit C and DLPA (500-2000).

[chung_pao]

Usually, mood imbalances are manifestations of other, or more systemic physiological problems.
Consider mood the visible tip of an iceberg.
So many people who are "depressed" get prescribed Prozac by rushed doctors, when their real problems lies in diet and general maintenance of their bodies.

I just you to take the perspective that mood is not separate from the rest of your physique.
With that in mind, do you eat "right"? How does a normal day look? Are there any intense psychological stressors which can cause low GABA/high neuroticism?
(as an example: diet affects hormonal synthesis -> hormones controls much of the function and growth of your other organs, nerves and mood)

Edited by chung_pao, 22 June 2013 - 11:41 PM.

[roses13]

I appreciate the suggestions. First of all I am a female. Regarding diet I am a pescetarian. I started my own business a year ago which has definitely been stressful and don't remember what it is like to have a week off or take a vacation. I started taking Gaia adrenal support which has been helpful as well as getting back to doing yoga a couple days a week. If anyone has any other suggestions it is always appreciated.