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In conventional medical circles it's thought that GABA will not pass through the blood-brain barrier, and so taking it orally shouldn't have much effect on mood. Nevertheless, many people report that taking GABA has an anti-anxiety action, and at least one study provides evidence that it does.[SIZE=2]2[/SIZE]
It turns out that while GABA doesn't pass through the blood brain barrier ... it can make its way into the peripheral aspects of the CNS (such as the dense connections in the gut.) Also ... the hypothalamus, the emotional neuroendocrine control center of the brain ... is outside of and thus not protected by the blood brain barrier. These two factors could explain the research / practice gap here.
Alternatively, one can take the amino acid theanine instead. Theanine is converted to several useful calming and mood-elevating substances in the brain, including GABA.[SIZE=2]3,4[/SIZE] So one can use theanine as a kind of "bank shot" to get around the blood brain barrier issue with respect to GABA.
In conventional medical circles it's thought that GABA will not pass through the blood-brain barrier, and so taking it orally shouldn't have much effect on mood. Nevertheless, many people report that taking GABA has an anti-anxiety action, and at least one study provides evidence that it does.[SIZE=2]2[/SIZE]
It turns out that while GABA doesn't pass through the blood brain barrier ... it can make its way into the peripheral aspects of the CNS (such as the dense connections in the gut.) Also ... the hypothalamus, the emotional neuroendocrine control center of the brain ... is outside of and thus not protected by the blood brain barrier. These two factors could explain the research / practice gap here.
Alternatively, one can take the amino acid theanine instead. Theanine is converted to several useful calming and mood-elevating substances in the brain, including GABA.[SIZE=2]3,4[/SIZE] So one can use theanine as a kind of "bank shot" to get around the blood brain barrier issue with respect to GABA.
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I've tried GABA and currently have a bottle of theanine (Doctor's Best Suntheanine) and neither have done anything for me
I'm taking 5-HTP, which has really helped with my anxiety. The first couple of times that you take it, it can cause diarrhea, but that goes away pretty quickly.
Since there is so much discussion about anxiety thought I'd bring up Gaba again. Some can take it and some cannot. I take it just fine and it's part of my sleep combo 500mg every night. Here is a posting from Alt Med group.
Location: Unlike most on CD, I'm not afraid to give my location: Milwaukee, WI.
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Forget GABA, l-theanine, or any of the supplements touted to help with anxiety or depression. The only way these things will "help" you is if you are very prone to getting the placebo effect.
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