JLs cravings for chips and peanut butter were triggered by stress. When using a GABA product that works best for her needs and with the correct doses and timing, she had zero cravings, with less physical tension, less fear of heights & reduced spinning:
Over the course of 5 weeks of using GABA, my physical tension, fear of heights and spinning were all reduced dramatically (physical tension went from 10/10 to 6/10, fear of heights from 8/10 to 3/10 and spinning from 8/10 to 3/10).
I was very happy that my cravings were completely gone using GABA (from 10/10 to 1/10).
Stress triggers me searching for something to eat. I had been following a low sugar diet already but with GABA I no longer needed chips or peanut butter around 4pm and I feel less stressed. ~ JL
I never get tired of feedback like this and I’m thrilled for her!
Read on to learn why she joined the program and what supplement changes she made; and why the initial GABA trial, and tracking sheet with symptom rating is very empowering. Discover more about using GABA to reduce/end stress-eating; how a fear of heights due to low GABA levels (and sometimes low serotonin too); and using a GABA cream and other approaches to reduce back and neck tension. You’ll also find additional resources if you need guidance using amino acids like tryptophan/5-HTP and GABA/theanine (and more about the program this woman did to get results like this for herself).
Why did she join the program and what supplement changes did she make?
This woman had been using a GABA/theanine product with no success when she joined the GABA QuickStart program but she took action anyway:
I joined because I wanted to see if it could help ease the physical stress in my shoulders, upper back and neck.
With Trudy’s help I learned how to do a trial and I was happy to feel some effect during the initial trial.
Because she switched to a different GABA-only product, used as a powder, she had zero cravings, got relief for physical stress and these other amazing results – over the next 5 weeks! And she got these results by making various adjustments to her GABA timing and dosing.
I’m thrilled for her and everyone who gives up on GABA and then decides to learn how to effectively and safely use it …and then experiences results like this.
The initial GABA trial, and tracking sheet with symptom rating is very empowering
In case you’re curious, in the program I teach participants how to do an initial one off trial to determine if the GABA product they’ve decided to use is worth trialing to find the ideal dose for your needs. JL mentions that she did feel some benefits during the initial trial.
You’ll also notice she mentions numerical changes in her symptoms i.e. “fear of heights from 8/10 to 3/10” and cravings “from 10/10 to 1/10.” The low GABA symptoms on their tracking sheets are rated on a scale of 1/10 with 10 being more severe. For someone to see their daily and weekly progression improve so much is very empowering and motivating. And it makes it easy to stick with the protocol. It’s also something they can refer back to in the future if they need to add GABA back.
Keep in mind, participants often do more than one initial trial, depending on their results and how many different GABA products they may end up needing.
The blog could have had this in the title “the right GABA product ends her cravings.”
It’s not unusual for GABA to reduce/end stress-eating and cravings
A mom in the community, Calle, shared how GABA helped her teenage ASD son sleep for the first time in years and reduced his cravings:
Our son has also really noticed a difference in his carb cravings since doing GABA. He went to grandma’s house and was not tempted by 6 pies, tons of cookies, sweet rolls etc. We were both shocked. This is a kid who would mow through tons of cookies, rolls and pastries.
Keep in mind that each of the neurotransmitter imbalances can lead to cravings so it’s a matter of figuring out which one is the culprit. It can be more than one too, and doing the trial and tracking (based on symptoms) will confirm
We use this symptoms questionnaire as a starting point.
A fear of heights due to low GABA levels (and sometimes low serotonin too)
As you can see from the low GABA symptoms on the above symptoms questionnaire, a fear of heights can be caused by low GABA. If it is, you’d expect GABA to reduce the fear when the optimal dose and timing is found.
I share one particular study in this blog post: Pharma-GABA: study participants with an irrational fear of heights are relaxed and less anxious when crossing a swaying suspension bridge
This paper refers to a pharmaGABA product which is not the same product as JL used but explains the mechanisms well.
JL shared that GABA reduced her “fear of heights from 8/10 to 3/10.” In order to get even better results she may need to:
- Increase the dose or timing of the GABA product she is using, possibly in the situation where she is exposed to heights (like going over a bridge) and/or
- Layer in a different GABA product like pharmaGABA and/or
- Explore if some of her residual fear is also driven by low serotonin (and that would be the next thing to address once GABA is optimized).
A GABA cream and other approaches to reduce back and neck tension
JL was looking to ease the physical stress in her shoulders, upper back and neck and reported that “physical tension went from 10/10 to 6/10.” This improvement is great and the addition of a GABA/theanine cream such as BeSerene, may be the next step for her.
I share more in this blog: BeSerene™ GABA/theanine cream eases severe muscle tension in her neck/shoulders, prevents her bad headaches and quells her anxiety
I love that Lisa shares this: “since the BeSerene™ cream works so efficiently on the muscle tension, it quells the anxiety that usually follows!”
Looking into acupuncture, physical therapy, red light therapy, sauna and endorphin support with DPA (if there is also pain) are other approaches to consider.
Practical aspects of the GABA QuickStart program and the value
As shared by a GABA QuickStart participant a previous blog post:
The program is very well designed, very clear, and super easy to navigate and I loved the case studies. The tracking sheets are invaluable and the key to success with GABA!!
It can seem like a lot of money up front, but the gift of mental health is priceless!!
And honestly, Trudy has helped me and my daughter more than countless other practitioners, so in the end, it is actually very cost effective!!
(She also participated in the Serotonin QuickStart program and shared similar feedback).
Additional resources when you are new to using GABA or tryptophan as supplements
We use the symptoms questionnaire to figure out if low serotonin or low GABA or other neurotransmitter imbalances may be an issue for you.
If you suspect low levels of any of the neurotransmitters and do not yet have my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution – How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings. I highly recommend getting it and reading it before jumping in and using amino acids on your own so you are knowledgeable. And be sure to share it with the practitioner/health team you or your loved one is working with.
There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and they are discussed throughout the book in the sections on gut health, gluten, blood sugar control (this is covered in an entire chapter too), sugar cravings, anxiety and mood issues. The importance of quality animal protein and healthy fats is also covered.
The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs.
If, after reading this blog and my book, you don’t feel comfortable figuring things out on your own (i.e. doing the symptoms questionnaire and respective amino acids trials), a good place to get help is the GABA QuickStart Program (if you have low GABA symptoms). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support. Another option is the budget-friendly GABA QuickStart Homestudy Program.
Right now you can save $150 off the full price when you use promo/coupon code maymh150off. This 3 day special is for May Mental Health Awareness month and ends Monday June 1, 2026 at noon Pacific time. Click the image below to watch a GABA webinar and learn more.
If you need serotonin support, the Serotonin QuickStart Program is a good place to get help. This is also a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance on using tryptophan and 5-HTP safely, and community support during 5 LIVE Q&A calls. You can sign up to be notified when the next live launch of this program is happening.
If you are a practitioner, join us in The Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals program. This is also a paid online/virtual program with an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids.
Wrapping up and your feedback
I’d love to hear how GABA has helped you …
Can you relate to seeing results like this with one of the many GABA products or even almost giving up and then getting relief?
Did adjusting the dose and timing make a big difference for you?
Has a topical GABA/theanine product helped you?
If you’ve completed the course material in the GABA Quickstart or Serotonin Quickstart programs feel free to share your results here so we can inspire others and give them hope.
Feel free to post your questions below.
