What is GABA? 6 Things to Know About This Calming Chemical Messenger

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a chemical in your body that helps nerves communicate. It’s best known for playing a calming role in the brain and body. But low GABA levels are associated with several health conditions. Some medications can affect GABA levels or mimic its calming effects. You may even see GABA supplements on the shelves of your local pharmacy. But what exactly is GABA? And how does it affect your health? Here, we’ll cover six things to know about this important chemical messenger.

1. GABA is a chemical messenger that turns off nerve cells

GABA is a chemical messenger that’s formed from an amino acid (protein) called glutamate. The formation of GABA from glutamate also requires vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). So low vitamin B6 levels can also affect GABA levels. 

GABA is found throughout the body, but it mainly acts in the brain and spinal cord, also known as the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS serves as your body’s command center, responding to stimuli and sending signals throughout the body to control various functions.

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GABA is the key inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. This means that GABA is a chemical messenger that quiets or turns off nerve cells. When GABA is released, it attaches to two main GABA receptors (binding sites) known as GABA-A and GABA-B. This activates a process that quiets the nerve cell, and slows down its signals. For example, when GABA is released in the part of the brain involved in breathing, your breathing rate becomes slower.

2. GABA plays a calming role in the body

Since GABA’s main role is to slow down or stop nerve signals, it has a calming effect on the body. Often, it works to balance the actions of other messengers with the opposite effect (they turn nerve signals on). The balance of GABA with other chemical messengers is essential for proper communication between nerve cells in your brain. It allows you to maintain a steady breathing rate, walk and move in a coordinated way, and think clearly.

Glutamate functions as GABA’s opposite. While GABA has calming effects, glutamate has stimulating effects. You can think of glutamate as the gas pedal that tells your nerves to go, and GABA as the brake pedal that tells your nerves to stop. Just like when you’re driving a car, both are necessary and equally important.

But when the balancing act between GABA and glutamate is thrown off, it can lead to different issues. For instance, too much glutamate is associated with seizures and may contribute to anxiety, while too much GABA can result in excessive sedation and thinking or memory problems. 

3. There are several health conditions associated with low GABA levels

Research shows that low GABA levels or activity may be connected to various health conditions, such as:

• Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder

• Depression

• Schizophrenia

• Seizures and epilepsy

• Autism spectrum disorder

• Huntington's disease

• Muscle spasticity and dystonia (spontaneous muscle contractions)

• Insomnia

• Alcohol use disorder

It’s possible that changing GABA activity in your body may help relieve the symptoms of these conditions. But increasing GABA levels can have its own negative effects, so it’s not always a good idea. More on this later.

Currently, we don’t have a practical, reliable way to measure GABA levels in order to diagnose certain health conditions or find out if a GABA-related treatment could be effective. That’s because GABA levels in the blood aren’t the same as GABA levels in the brain. And taking a brain sample to measure GABA levels isn’t practical.

4. Several medications work by affecting GABA

Many medications work by affecting GABA in different ways. Some medications work to increase GABA levels or interact with GABA receptors, while others are GABA agonists, meaning they act like GABA in the body.

Perhaps the most well-known are the gabapentinoids, a group of medications that include gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise) and pregabalin (Lyrica). These medications have a similar chemical structure to GABA (hence the “gaba” in their chemical name) and mimic its calming effects on the nervous system. People take these medications to treat seizures and nerve pain. 

Examples of other medications and substances that affect GABA levels or activity include:

• Anti-seizure medications, such as divalproex (Depakote) and valproic acid (Depakene).

• Sedatives, such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Examples include phenobarbital and clonazepam (Klonopin).

• Z-drugs for insomnia, such as zolpidem (Ambien)

• Some muscle relaxants, such as baclofen

• Cannabis

• Alcohol

Increased GABA levels can lead to sedation and slow down your breathing. And many of these medications also have the potential to cause dependence and can lead to substance use disorders. So they’re not always considered a first-choice treatment option.   

5. Oral GABA supplements aren’t likely to affect GABA levels in the brain

Some people claim that OTC GABA supplements help with anxiety or sleep issues, among other possible benefits. But taking GABA as a supplement isn’t likely to boost GABA levels in the brain. Research is mixed, but most of it shows that oral GABA isn’t able to cross the blood-brain barrier (a layer of blood vessels that tightly regulates what can pass into the brain). More studies are needed to know for sure whether oral GABA supplements are safe or beneficial.

Good to know: Oral supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA. And they can have side effects and drug interactions to be aware of. So it’s best to talk to your healthcare team before adding an OTC supplement to your daily routine. And follow best practices for choosing a safe OTC supplement product.

6. There are steps you can take to help support healthy GABA levels

The relationship between GABA levels and health is complex. As we’ve covered, some medical conditions are associated with naturally low GABA levels. But sometimes, you may be able to support healthy GABA levels through nutrition and lifestyle changes. Options include:

• Adding B vitamins and magnesium to your diet: Adding foods rich in B vitamins to your regular diet may support healthy GABA levels. As mentioned, your body needs vitamin B6 to make GABA. So having enough vitamin B6 supports healthy GABA levels, too. Maintaining healthy magnesium levels is also important to help GABA function properly. Foods high in vitamin B6 include fish, potatoes, and non-citrus fruits. Sources of magnesium include foods such as spinach, nuts, and whole grains.

• Get enough sleep: Due to its calming role, it isn’t surprising that GABA affects sleep. But getting enough sleep also seems to support healthy GABA levels. Incorporating good sleep hygiene practices into your routine can help. Keep a regular bedtime, avoid electronics in the hours before bed, and keep your bedroom temperature on the cool side. 

• Limit alcohol: Limiting alcohol intake is important for supporting healthy GABA levels, as alcohol can interact with GABA-A receptors in the brain.

• Exercise regularly: Small studies suggest that yoga postures are associated with increases in GABA levels as well as improvements in mood and anxiety. Exercise in general (not specific to yoga) has also been shown to support healthy GABA levels.

• Manage stress levels (when you can): Some research suggests that stress may lessen GABA’s calming effects in the amygdala. The amygdala is a part of your brain that processes fear and helps regulate emotions. Taking time for self-care and trying stress management techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises can help make a difference.

Keep in mind that these are general ways to improve GABA levels and functioning. But if you’re living with a GABA-related health condition, it’s best to combine these lifestyle changes with the prescription treatment recommended by your healthcare team.

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Written by:

Patricia Weiser, PharmD

Patricia has 16 years of pharmacist experience. She previously held positions as a community pharmacist, pharmacy manager, and hospital pharmacist.

Edited by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Sanjai Sinha, MD

Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in internal medicine.

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