Social Anxiety Support

Helena_SAS · 02-26-2010, 01:11 PM

GABA is a neurotransmitter that's reputed to reduce anxiety and increase the amount of the Human Growth Hormone when taken as a supplement. It's come into question whether GABA can pass the blood-brain barrier.

More Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma-a...d#Pharmacology

Helena_SAS · 03-01-2010, 01:34 PM

(Copied over from old review system)

Posted by radiohead

Social Anxiety Background
I've suffered from GAD/SA for approximately 5 or so years now. I have general anxiety/depression, and also pretty severe social anxiety that prevents me from doing every day things. When around strangers or even people I know most of the time: nervousness, shaky/restlessness, increased heart rate and blood pressure, trouble saying what I mean/think, difficulty maintaining eye contact and basically destroying my chances at a real relationship.

Other Treatments
I have tried many different medicines, as well as some counseling(group and individual). I took Zoloft and Lexapro before, they didn't do much for me. I also did Lamictal(Lamitrogine) 200mg for awhile and had some very positive results with little side effects. I plan on maybe going back on Lamictal. Currently I just take 5-HTP and L-Tyrosine(as well as vitamins).

Treatment Experience
GABA is a very important neurotransmitter in our body. The supplements available at stores that are believed to be GABA have the active ingredient Gamma-aminobutyric acid. I have to go with the research that questions whether or not this supplement actually crosses over the blood/brain barrier.

I've taken 750mg, 1500mg, and so on multiple times in trying to gain relief with this supplement. I believe every time I did there was absolutely no effect, if not some slight placebo effect. Compared to many other supplements I have to agree with the science and say this one is kind of a waste of money and has little benefit, if any.

As for treating GABA receptors, there are many great ways to do this. I think your best bet to increase your GABA system is to get a doctor/psych appointment and go on a prescription medicine like Lamictal or Neurontin. I've had success with Lamictal before.

rustybob · 03-23-2010, 07:23 PM

I gotta say, this GABA supplement is working better than I could have expected. It's not as good as a benzo, but it is working for me. It took about two weeks of taking a 500mg pill four times a day before I started to notice the effects. Now, I definitely feel calmer and more sociable. I'd say the only negative aspect of it is that usually twice a day I feel high. It's not a bad feeling by any means, but I've never gotten any kind of high off a benzo.

Sunshine009 · 03-23-2010, 07:27 PM

Doesn't that come in a B-complex too? I guess its not high enough in a complex and you probably have to take it by itself. I used to take B complexes and I did feel calmer. Maybe I will try Gaba.

rustybob · 03-27-2010, 08:20 PM

Yeah the GABA pills that I have do have 2mg of vitamin B6.

shyblkguy · 06-13-2010, 11:16 AM

I have tried 2 brands of GABA 500mg pills . They both helps lower SA for a few days and then the effects waned . I upped my does to 2 pills(1000mg total) at a time but got not effects to aid SA. I am now trying a "amino complete" 2 capsules with 1 gaba pill . I have increased my exercise by bike commuting . These together are making a big change in lowering my SA .

Jericho187 · 01-18-2011, 04:06 PM

As a pharmacist I know that in theory this stuff shouldn't cross the blood brain barrier and have an effect. But from my personal experience, it DEFINATELY does something after I take it. I feel more calm and relaxed.

MBL · 01-22-2011, 10:25 AM

Useless.

Aligujjar · 02-27-2011, 04:31 AM

Without gamma-aminobutyric acid, your muscles would be constantly tense, your mind would never stop racing, and your overall ability to function would be severely impaired. Gaba supplements can be taken to increase this valuable resource in your body.

LALoner · 02-27-2011, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jericho187

As a pharmacist I know that in theory this stuff shouldn't cross the blood brain barrier and have an effect. But from my personal experience, it DEFINATELY does something after I take it. I feel more calm and relaxed.

As a non pharmacist I feel the same things without the smart stuff.

tant · 04-27-2011, 10:14 AM

GABA sounds like one of those things that works for some and not for others. I haven't tried it yet though so it's next on my list.

sleepytime · 04-27-2011, 11:49 AM

Has anyone tried both GABA and pharma-GABA? If so did you find any difference between them?

I_Dazed_I · 05-03-2011, 12:31 PM

Been taking this for roughly a week. Been working for me. Same feeling as benzo but not as intense. Doesn't last as long either, but it does seem that some days lately I can wake up and take nothing at all and be fine.

RockIt · 05-03-2011, 01:55 PM

Are there any side effects of long term use? Also, have you felt the need to increase your dose over time?

willinva · 05-03-2011, 05:30 PM

About gaba,gaba the simple amino acid CANNOT cross the blood brain barrier/Howerever there are a number of supplments that do.

PIcamilion uses nician as a carrier,its a nutrient and does cross the brain with gaba.

L theanine cross the brain and is said to raise both gaba and dopamine

L phenibut is a gaba raising supplement

And kava kava crosses the brain and effects gaba

Please dont waste money on expensive gaba,it cant do anything

willinva · 05-03-2011, 05:36 PM

Gaba the amini acid sold in stores DOES NOT CROSS THE BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER, so please dont wate your money as its also expensive.

Some supplments to do,are

Picamilion - a supplment that attacthes to nicacin as its carrier and does cross the BRAIN and raises gaba.

L Theanine - Also crosses the brain and is said to raise both gaba and dopamine

Phenibut - Is a potent supplement thats raises gaba

Kava kava - among othr things raises gaba

Taurine - doesent raise gaba,but taurine itself like gaba are both inhibtory calming brain chemicals.

I_Dazed_I · 05-12-2011, 10:03 AM

After taking these for 2 weeks I decided to stop because if leaves you in a daze for most of the day. Typical SA symptoms returned after stopping but I would rather have my wits about me and deal with the SA using other means then be a zombie all day.

I would say this stuff is good for just trying to relax around the house, not function in the "outside world"

flash · 07-15-2011, 07:38 PM

When I take my klonipin it drastically increases the effects I get from GABA. I can't see why this would happen if the GABA wasn't crossing the blood brain barrier. There's something to it, plus I wake up with less tension when I take it before bed.

ronkonkoma832 · 08-27-2011, 02:44 PM

Isn't gaba a substance that can't pass the blood brain barrier. so basically consuming it is useless?

Desparada50 · 09-07-2011, 10:31 AM

I Just started taking Gaba for Anxiety and so far it makes me feel like I am light headed & speeding. I have not slept for the last 4 nights. Wake up feeling anxious and wide awake. Has any one else experienced this? How long do you have to take it before it starts working?

02-26-2010, 01:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Helena_SAS Status: Community and Website Administrator Join Date: May 2012 Location: Everywhere Gender: Male Posts: 1,036	Gaba GABA is a neurotransmitter that's reputed to reduce anxiety and increase the amount of the Human Growth Hormone when taken as a supplement. It's come into question whether GABA can pass the blood-brain barrier. More Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma-a...d#Pharmacology Rate this treatment: Click the "Rate Thread" link to the upper right of this post (login required). Review this treatment: Click the "Post Reply" button to the upper left of this post (login required).

03-01-2010, 01:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Helena_SAS Status: Community and Website Administrator Join Date: May 2012 Location: Everywhere Gender: Male Posts: 1,036	The Blood/Brain Barrier (Copied over from old review system) Posted by radiohead Social Anxiety Background I've suffered from GAD/SA for approximately 5 or so years now. I have general anxiety/depression, and also pretty severe social anxiety that prevents me from doing every day things. When around strangers or even people I know most of the time: nervousness, shaky/restlessness, increased heart rate and blood pressure, trouble saying what I mean/think, difficulty maintaining eye contact and basically destroying my chances at a real relationship. Other Treatments I have tried many different medicines, as well as some counseling(group and individual). I took Zoloft and Lexapro before, they didn't do much for me. I also did Lamictal(Lamitrogine) 200mg for awhile and had some very positive results with little side effects. I plan on maybe going back on Lamictal. Currently I just take 5-HTP and L-Tyrosine(as well as vitamins). Treatment Experience GABA is a very important neurotransmitter in our body. The supplements available at stores that are believed to be GABA have the active ingredient Gamma-aminobutyric acid. I have to go with the research that questions whether or not this supplement actually crosses over the blood/brain barrier. I've taken 750mg, 1500mg, and so on multiple times in trying to gain relief with this supplement. I believe every time I did there was absolutely no effect, if not some slight placebo effect. Compared to many other supplements I have to agree with the science and say this one is kind of a waste of money and has little benefit, if any. As for treating GABA receptors, there are many great ways to do this. I think your best bet to increase your GABA system is to get a doctor/psych appointment and go on a prescription medicine like Lamictal or Neurontin. I've had success with Lamictal before.

01-22-2011, 10:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
MBL Status: Comatose. Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Halifax, NS Gender: Male Age: 34 Posts: 363	Useless. __________________ -MBL HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (Canada)

02-27-2011, 04:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
Aligujjar Status: SAS Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2	Without gamma-aminobutyric acid, your muscles would be constantly tense, your mind would never stop racing, and your overall ability to function would be severely impaired. Gaba supplements can be taken to increase this valuable resource in your body. Kennnie and Dirt Road Rambler like this. __________________ Adidas Adizero Adios

05-03-2011, 01:55 PM	#14 (permalink)
RockIt Status: Surrounded by greatness Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Columbus, Ohio Gender: Male Age: 39 Posts: 580	Are there any side effects of long term use? Also, have you felt the need to increase your dose over time? __________________ Have kids? Join us here! "Surrounded"

03-23-2010, 07:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
rustybob Status: SAS Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Gender: Male Age: 28 Posts: 414	I gotta say, this GABA supplement is working better than I could have expected. It's not as good as a benzo, but it is working for me. It took about two weeks of taking a 500mg pill four times a day before I started to notice the effects. Now, I definitely feel calmer and more sociable. I'd say the only negative aspect of it is that usually twice a day I feel high. It's not a bad feeling by any means, but I've never gotten any kind of high off a benzo.

03-23-2010, 07:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sunshine009 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: California Gender: Female Posts: 3,836	Doesn't that come in a B-complex too? I guess its not high enough in a complex and you probably have to take it by itself. I used to take B complexes and I did feel calmer. Maybe I will try Gaba.

03-27-2010, 08:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
rustybob Status: SAS Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Gender: Male Age: 28 Posts: 414	Yeah the GABA pills that I have do have 2mg of vitamin B6.

06-13-2010, 11:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
shyblkguy Status: SAS Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: washington state Gender: Male Posts: 6	I have tried 2 brands of GABA 500mg pills . They both helps lower SA for a few days and then the effects waned . I upped my does to 2 pills(1000mg total) at a time but got not effects to aid SA. I am now trying a "amino complete" 2 capsules with 1 gaba pill . I have increased my exercise by bike commuting . These together are making a big change in lowering my SA .

01-18-2011, 04:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jericho187 Status: MD & PharmD Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada Gender: Male Posts: 29	As a pharmacist I know that in theory this stuff shouldn't cross the blood brain barrier and have an effect. But from my personal experience, it DEFINATELY does something after I take it. I feel more calm and relaxed.

04-27-2011, 10:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
tant Status: SAS Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 3	GABA sounds like one of those things that works for some and not for others. I haven't tried it yet though so it's next on my list.

04-27-2011, 11:49 AM	#12 (permalink)
sleepytime Status: SAS Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ireland Gender: Male Posts: 755	Has anyone tried both GABA and pharma-GABA? If so did you find any difference between them?

05-03-2011, 12:31 PM	#13 (permalink)
I_Dazed_I Status: SAS Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 59	Been taking this for roughly a week. Been working for me. Same feeling as benzo but not as intense. Doesn't last as long either, but it does seem that some days lately I can wake up and take nothing at all and be fine.

05-03-2011, 05:30 PM	#15 (permalink)
willinva Status: SAS Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 4	About gaba,gaba the simple amino acid CANNOT cross the blood brain barrier/Howerever there are a number of supplments that do. PIcamilion uses nician as a carrier,its a nutrient and does cross the brain with gaba. L theanine cross the brain and is said to raise both gaba and dopamine L phenibut is a gaba raising supplement And kava kava crosses the brain and effects gaba Please dont waste money on expensive gaba,it cant do anything

05-03-2011, 05:36 PM	#16 (permalink)
willinva Status: SAS Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 4	About Gaba Gaba the amini acid sold in stores DOES NOT CROSS THE BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER, so please dont wate your money as its also expensive. Some supplments to do,are Picamilion - a supplment that attacthes to nicacin as its carrier and does cross the BRAIN and raises gaba. L Theanine - Also crosses the brain and is said to raise both gaba and dopamine Phenibut - Is a potent supplement thats raises gaba Kava kava - among othr things raises gaba Taurine - doesent raise gaba,but taurine itself like gaba are both inhibtory calming brain chemicals.

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05-12-2011, 10:03 AM	#17 (permalink)
I_Dazed_I Status: SAS Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 59	After taking these for 2 weeks I decided to stop because if leaves you in a daze for most of the day. Typical SA symptoms returned after stopping but I would rather have my wits about me and deal with the SA using other means then be a zombie all day. I would say this stuff is good for just trying to relax around the house, not function in the "outside world"

07-15-2011, 07:38 PM	#18 (permalink)
flash Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1	When I take my klonipin it drastically increases the effects I get from GABA. I can't see why this would happen if the GABA wasn't crossing the blood brain barrier. There's something to it, plus I wake up with less tension when I take it before bed.

08-27-2011, 02:44 PM	#19 (permalink)
ronkonkoma832 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 15	Isn't gaba a substance that can't pass the blood brain barrier. so basically consuming it is useless?

09-07-2011, 10:31 AM	#20 (permalink)
Desparada50 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2	I Just started taking Gaba for Anxiety and so far it makes me feel like I am light headed & speeding. I have not slept for the last 4 nights. Wake up feeling anxious and wide awake. Has any one else experienced this? How long do you have to take it before it starts working?