One common question I hear from folks who are new to my work is this: “is GABA the same as gabapentin?” Quite frankly it has always surprised me to get this question since they are different words – why would you think they are the same? But I’d carefully explain the difference, educate the person and move on. A few months ago I shared a blog post on how the amino acid GABA was effective for an 11 year old with ADHD, irritability, anxiety and tantrums and someone asked this question again: “GABA sold at health store or prescription Gabapentin?”
I decided it was finally time to ask why she thought they may be the same thing. I first explained what GABA is (an amino acid supplement), shared some links to products and said “no, not prescription Gabapentin – I’m curious why you’d think that?”
She replied that “some people refer to GABA the same as Gabapentin” and thanked me for the clarification.
I appreciate her response but it did still concern me that the amino acid GABA is lumped together with prescription gabapentin. My next step was a facebook post sharing the above dialogue and asking my community there for feedback: “Have you heard GABA and gabapentin used interchangeably? Did you think they were the same thing at one stage?”
The response was enlightening, hence this blog post to provide clarification if you’re not sure either or if you know exactly what GABA is but have had confused conversations with your practitioner, family members, friends and/or colleagues. And to also get your feedback on this topic.
GABA is not the same as gabapentin. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is an amino acid supplement and neurotransmitter; gabapentin is a prescription medication. They are often used interchangeably (as you’ll read below) and should not be!
GABA and gabapentin is used interchangeably by a variety of practitioners
Here are some of the many responses showing how GABA and gabapentin is used interchangeably by a variety of practitioners:
Jennifer shared this: Yes in the vet world, gabapentin is often called gaba. Not surprising since western medicine likes to pretend that supplements don’t exist. I didn’t know GABA existed as a supplement for many years. I always explain what it is when I talk about it, to make sure there’s no confusion.
Val shared this: I was just at the dentist and I shared that I take Gaba to help me sleep. She said “Gabapentin?” I said “no I don’t take a synthetic medication, instead I take Gaba which is an amino acid.” It’s good to share with all who are willing to listen.
Katie shared this: I have never heard them used interchangeably but, whenever I talk about GABA, I say “GABA otc amino acid, not gabapentin the prescription” to be extra clear and educational.
Heather said: I was wondering this earlier in the week. My husband’s [nurse practitioner] suggested gabapentin temporarily for a back injury but she used the term “gaba”. I quickly got clarification. Hopefully she won’t do that again. But I understand it. Her field is all pain management.
Theresa shared this: Nurses who don’t know medicine often do that. I’ve found that [gaba] is listed in my med list when they don’t seem to know the difference.
Laura shared this: I always knew that they were different but I have had psychiatrists use them interchangeably.
Bonnie shared this: I mentioned GABA to my dad’s nurse and she got all upset, thinking I meant Gabapentin. At the time I didn’t know it was two different things. Dad was in the hospital and I suggested gaba to calm him. She said, no, no, no! I didn’t realize we were speaking of two different things.
Lisa shared this: When I told my primary doctor [an MD] that I was taking Gaba instead of prescription drugs she asked “gabapentin?” I said “no, Gaba which is a supplement”. She looked confused.
Lindy shared this: It’s a common assumption. I think some GPs (general practitioners) shorten gapapentin to gaba.
Jane shared this: “Yes – I am very careful to say the “supplement GABA.” I mentioned it to an Anesthesiologist when I had surgery. I normally don’t tell the medical profession my supplements – they have no idea what they are. I do specify the “supplement GABA” to holistic providers – I don’t want any misunderstanding. I was on Gabapentin and Lyrica for a long time. Horrific medications with severe consequences
If you relate to any of this feedback, keep sharing in order to educate, explain the difference and clarify to make sure there is no confusion.
What is GABA?
If you are new to the amino acid GABA, it’s a supplement that is used to raise low GABA (the neurotransmitter) levels and ease the physical-tension and stiff-and-tense-muscles type of anxiety.
The other symptoms we see with low GABA are panic attacks, physical tension in certain settings like public speaking or driving, and the need to self-medicate to calm down, often with alcohol but sometimes with carbs and sugary foods. Insomnia can also be due to low GABA and you’ll experience physical tension (rather than the ruminating thoughts which is the low serotonin type of insomnia – although it’s not uncommon to experience both). GABA also helps with muscle spasms and pain relief when muscles are tight.
You can read this blog, GABA for the physical-tension and stiff-and-tense-muscles type of anxiety for my biggest takeaways for using GABA effectively. I also share a number of GABA products and some feedback from folks who have experienced the benefits. One example is this:
I have used GABA (several brands, just open a capsule and sprinkle a small amount under the tongue) for years now, with calming results within minutes.
With regards to the question about GABA being available in health stores: there are amino acid supplements that are available over the counter at a health store and also via my online health store here (these are products I have vetted and use with clients).
Here is the blog I referred to above: GABA for children: ADHD, focus issues, irritability, anxiety and tantrums. My blog is a wealth of information when it comes to GABA so be sure to use the search feature.
What is gabapentin?
Per the Cleveland Clinic site:
Gabapentin is a prescription medication known as a gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogue. GABA reduces the excitability of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain, which play a role in seizures and the transmission of pain signals. Gabapentin mirrors the effects of GABA calming excited neurons. Gabapentin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants.
It’s been approved for seizures and nerve pain caused by shingles, however, off-label use is common when it comes to other types of pain, anxiety and depression. This paper, Outpatient Off-Label Gabapentin Use for Psychiatric Indications Among U.S. Adults, 2011-2016 warns of
risks associated with gabapentin combined with central nervous system depressant (CNS-D) drugs, which are commonly prescribed in psychiatric treatment….Over 6 years, 58.4% of off-label gabapentin visits listed one or more concomitant CNS-D medications, most frequently antidepressants (24.3%), opioids (22.9%), and benzodiazepines (17.3%).
The above Cleveland Clinic site lists some brand names – Horizant®, Gralise® and Neurontin® – but it is known by many different names in other countries. You can look it up in your country here.
You’ll also see all the side effects and the fact that dependence and withdrawal is downplayed despite the growing evidence that these are very real issues. More on that below.
There are many issues with gabapentin dependence and withdrawal
This blog post is really about terminology and the interchangeable use of GABA and gabapentin, but if you’re new to gabapentin, it’s important to be aware that there are many issues with dependence and withdrawal (often similar to benzodiazepines):
On day 3 of hospitalization, she developed restlessness, disorientation, confusion, agitation, and anxiety. She was presumed to be suffering from ethanol withdrawal and was treated with benzodiazepines but had no improvement in symptoms. During days 4 and 5, the patient became increasingly confused, agitated, and anxious, with complaints of headache, light sensitivity, and increasing nervousness. On day 5, gabapentin was reinitiated, and the patient’s confusion and agitation improved that evening. The next morning, the patient was calm, alert, and cooperative.
To our knowledge, this is the first reported cases of akathisia induced by gabapentin withdrawal. Available case reports suggest that gabapentin withdrawal can occur at doses ranging from 400-8000 mg/day. Patients experienced symptoms similar to those that develop with benzodiazepine withdrawal and were taking gabapentin for as little as 3 weeks to as long as 5 years.
This case highlights the need for patient-centered slow tapers in patients with severe gabapentin dependence and withdrawal.
The withdrawal took 18 months.
There is one case report of macular edema after gabapentin use and gabapentinoid (pregabalin/Lyrica) more so than gabapentin/Neurontin) prescriptions increased risk of suicidal behavior and unintentional overdose.
This 2017 paper, Gabapentin and pregabalin: do the benefits outweigh the harms? summarizes as follows: “Prescribers should be aware of the very limited clinical evidence for use of gabapentin and pregabalin outside their licensed indications, as well as their capacity to do harm.”
The amino acid GABA has none of these issues.
Why it may be confusing for practitioners
Other than the fact that gabapentin is described as a GABA analogue, I can see why it may be confusing for practitioners who don’t yet know about my work and the amino acid GABA.
The fact that GABA is an amino acid supplement and also a neurotransmitter may also be contributing to some of the confusion.
The other fact that I believe is adding to the confusion is because of how gabapentin is often referred to in the research. Let’s take this 2020 paper as an example: γ-Aminobutyric Acid and Derivatives Reduce the Incidence of Acute Pain after Herpes Zoster – A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
It has γ-aminobutyric acid and derivatives in the paper title and as part of the aim, is mentioned in the results and elsewhere too:
- The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of GABA and its derivatives in reducing acute pain incidence in patients having HZ.
- The results showed that the treatment with GABA and its derivatives significantly reduced the number of patients with acute zoster pain.
- There is no guideline for using and dosing GABA and its derivatives to prevent acute HZ pain.
And elsewhere they refer to GABA-like compounds:
- The optimal dosage of GABA-like compounds is still to be determined.
- Nevertheless, the presently available data indicate that the application of GABA-like compounds in this respect is very promising.
The entire review is about gabapentin/neurontin and is not about the amino acid GABA at all, even though the search terms used for this paper included: gamma-aminobutyric acid and gaba.
This is just one example of many such papers. I know what the amino acid GABA is and I was initially confused when reading the title and abstract, and even when reading the full paper (initially hopeful the paper would also be discussing the amino acid GABA).
Resources if you are new to using GABA and other amino acids as supplements
If you are new to using GABA or any of the other amino acids as supplements, here is the Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution (you can see all the symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalances, including low GABA and low serotonin).
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, sugar cravings, self-medicating with alcohol and more.
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. You can find them all in my online store.
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.
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.
I appreciate these women for sharing their interactions with practitioners so we can all be enlightened.
Have you heard GABA and gabapentin used interchangeably? Did you think they were the same thing at one stage?
How do you refer to GABA and gabapentin in order to avoid confusion?
If you’ve been prescribed gabapentin what was/is it prescribed for? And did you/do you also have a prescription for an antidepressant, opioid or benzodiazepine?
Have you had/do you have any issues using gabapentin?
Have you had success using the amino acid GABA? If yes, what for?
Feel free to post your questions and feedback in the comments below.
Wondering if you have a page with links to placebo controlled double blind studies showing the benefits of the amino acids, so that I can show my practitioner?
Michelle
This is a useful review – An Updated Review on Pharmaceutical Properties of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31344785/
Here is a recent study on GABA Oolong tea – GABA Oolong tea in children with autism: improvements in sensorimotor skills, autism profiles, anxiety and sleep (new research) https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-oolong-tea-in-children-with-autism-improvements-in-sensorimotor-skills-autism-profiles-anxiety-and-sleep-new-research/
Feel free to use the search feature on the blog using “GABA research”
My book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is also referenced will be useful to share with your practitioner. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
I was one of the people commenting about the confusion when I told a young neurologist who I’d never seen before that I was taking GABA as a supplement. She turned out to be an awful doctor. She only saw me for 17 minutes and was a poor listener. You could see her mind racing as she was reading my patient notes from my other doctors. That can be dangerous. Piggy backing on the assumptions and opinions of other doctors and within 17 minutes rushed 2 prescriptions into the system for my pharmacist for Effexor and Memantine, and she said and you are also taking Gabapentin, I see. No I’m not. But you just told me you were. No I didn’t. Yes you did. I told you I was taking a supplement called GABA, to help me sleep. Then I was lectured for refusing pain meds for migraines. OMG. I only get pain when my eyes are strained with double vision from my concussion. I have Post Concussive Syndrome. This doctor was so unprofessional. She wrote in my patient notes that she thought I fell into a psy·chi·at·ric category and posted a diagnosis. I was furious when I got home and read it. I demanded she delete her comments. And she did. How unprofessional. She said I needed O/T for memory and if I refused the drugs she didn’t want to see me for the follow up appt. in January. So I canceled it. This woman needed to be disciplined by her superiors. I still have blurry vision and a gait abnormality from the concussion several years ago. Food is my medicine. I take several suppements. I believe I’d be much worse if I didn’t grow my own organic food and stick to a sugar-free, gluten-free 80% vegetarian food plan that I created and cook from scratch. I’ll never take drugs. These Western trained doctors are afraid of lawsuits and they don’t tust their patients to adhere to a proper diet/exercise/sleep routine. I bet most doctors don’t either.
Lindy
Thanks for sharing your example of the mixing up GABA with gabapentin – it’s so common.
I’m sorry to hear you were lectured and that you’re still suffering the ill effects of your concussion. Working with a functional neurologist may offer some insights.
My fiancé was taking Gabapentin for nerve pain (nerve damage) in his back and leg, and I recommended GABA. Taking it, he was able to get completely off Gabapentin for a while, and even though the pain has progressed so that he does need some now to keep it at bay, it is much less because he is still taking GABA. He gets spinal injections, and taking GABA has helped him go three times longer than the shot was supposed to last.
Jessica
Wonderful to hear – thanks for sharing
Does using ((( GABA Supliment )))
Helps with Gabapentin withdrawal on severe level.
I Am, creating research on how to save our patients from the negligence of Dr, who in the end will be sued.
Anyways, this Question is Extremely important and I ask you to be brutal Honest for sake of many.
Does it Replace Gabapentin?
Justin
GABA, the amino acid used as a supplement, can help during GABApentin withdrawal but I always have clients discuss with the prescribing doctor
Hello,
Can 250 mg of GABA taken daily increase your ALT levels on a blood test?
Yvette
As you can see from this paper – An Updated Review on Pharmaceutical Properties of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31344785/, GABA has liver protective (hepato-protective) effects.
I’d be surprised if it did harm the liver but anything is possible. I can share it’s not something I’ve seen happen.
Can you share more and why you suspect GABA? I assume you’re referring to the amino acid supplement GABA and not the prescription medication gabapentin?
Thanks for responding. I am referring to the amino acid GABA. For two straight weeks, prior to having blood drawn out for lab work, I was experiencing anxiety so I doubled up on a supplement that contains (per capsule) the following: Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal 5 phosphate, as pyridoxine HCI) 30 mg, passionflower aerial powder 130 mg, GABA 125 mg, L-glycine 125 mg, L-glutamine 75 mg, L-theanine 15 mg, ashwagandha root extract 30 mg, 5-HTP 6 mg, and grape seed extract 6 mg. My ALT levels came back slightly elevated.
Yvette
Thanks for the clarification. As mentioned I’d not suspect GABA and don’t know about the other ingredients. A slight elevation may not be an issue and it may be best to watch.
I was prescribed Gabapentin in the past for nerve pain due to a herniated disc pressing almost an inch along a nerve, problem which was eventually resolved through surgery. I was taking an antidepressant at the time, and in combination Gabapentin was overly sedating and overall not that not helpful. I took it for a month before surgery, then it took 6 more months to be able to go off it completely.
The withdrawal symptoms were horrifying, anything from bouts of rage to severe vertigo. After that, I stopped being afraid of cutting the antidepressant, and it was indeed a walk in the park by comparison (it was bad, don’t get me wrong, but nowhere near).
I use GABA now for stiff and tense muscles and sleep. If Gabapentin would have done for me a quarter of what GABA does, I would have been less mad about the experience. That being said, I know people that get downright euphoric on Gabapentin, so it doesn’t affect everyone the same.
Luiza
Thanks for sharing your experience. The combination of antidepressant with gabapentin is problematic and sorry to hear about your withdrawal symptoms even though it was a relatively short use of the medication.
Wonderful to hear GABA now helps your stiff and tense muscles and sleep.
the problem with medications like gabapentin is that it depletes a myriad of nutrients, especially B Vitamins like B6-12-9-7 and Vitamin D etc, its the reason there’s a problem with antidepressants, you need to ideally separate them by 6-8hrs and B6 interact with antidepressants…
also gabapentin and B vitamins target the same pathways hence the negative interactions taken at the same time.. Hope that helps…
Greg
Kindly share link/s to support these statements
I’m surprised that you’re surprised about people misunderstanding the difference. I’m a registered nurse, and those of us in the medical profession sometimes fail to see that the Lay person often uses shortened names to describe a drug. Since GABA and gabapentin sound alike it is totally understandable why most folks think they’re the same
Lisa
Thanks, it’s helpful to hear from a RN
I am currently on prescription medications for anxiety and panic attacks, Pristiq 100mg and Buspirone 60mg twice daily. I also have trouble sleeping or waking up after a few hours of sleep.
Is it okay to take GABA to try to help with sleep and anxiety to try to lower my prescription med doses or will this cause my meds to not be as effective?
I’m also retired now and on a tight budget so I’m also worried about the high cost of supplements.
Thanks in advance!
Angie
Buspirone doesn’t affect GABA and does impact serotonin (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2836252/) and Pristiq is an SRNI impacting serotonin and dopamine. This means GABA is likely safe to use but it’s best to always discuss with the prescribing doctor. Tapering is also a discussion to have with the doctor.
Keep in mind GABA only helps with the low GABA type of anxiety and insomnia i.e. physical tension and anxiety, lying awake feeling tense and self-medicating with alcohol or carbs to relax.
For folks on a tight budget working on diet is often the best place to start – real foods, no gluten/caffeine/sugar, quality animal protein, organic veggies/fruit, healthy fats etc. My book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place for this foundational change. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
This is the first real explanation I found. Googling the two is very confusing as some say Gabapentin is GABA gamma aminobutyric acid. I was extremely concerned because I take the supplement GABA and my Mom just had a horrible reaction to an RX gabapentin. And that can be hereditary. She should never have been given it, but that’s a ‘whole nother Oprah show’. Thank you, I’ll sleep tonight taking my GABA.
BettyJ
So glad to her this is helpful. I’m sorry to hear about your mom and hope she is doing better. Can you please share what reaction she had and what gabapentin was prescribed for?
Also, how is GABA helping you and how much helps?
Thank you. Since it’s my Mom and not me I’ll just say it was given for nerve pain. The response was Stevens Johnson Syndrome. We can’t even imagine her at 92 having to go through what that could have done to her. Thankfully, with much prayer, she did not develop the blisters and extreme skin wounds. After spreading over most of her body, her rash is fading now each day. The large spots ran together making all of her skin a deep red purple.
I take the supplement GABA mostly at night for calming sleep. I just started taking the recommended 2 capsules on my bottle and feel that’s helpful. I will occasionally take one during the day if I feel I’m going to need it, but not often. I also take a Cortisol manager.
BettyJ
Sorry to hear about your mother – glad she is doing better.
Thanks for the feedback. Keep in mind we seldom use the instructions on the bottle of GABA as we each have unique needs. We also always open the capsule for best effects.
thank you. I am sorry but this article didn’t really clarified it for me at all as to what the actual difference in the mode of action is between gaba supplement and gabapentin except of the fact that gabapentin is prescription and gaba is amino acid. But how do these 2 differ in mode of action, and side effects profile? Please clarify further. I know gabapentin works on calcium channels and gaba receptors (benzo also work on gaba receptors) so I am trying to find out what the different mode of action is fie gaba as opposed to gabapentin or benzo. Thank you
Jari
GABA works to raise GABA levels and the mechanism of action of gabapentin is not clear, even though it’s often called a GABA analogue. The blog post does list gabapentin side-effects
I asked our Vet yesterday if Gaba and gabapentin is the same and he said yes. I use Gabapentin for my dog who started having seizures when he turned 11 years old. Now he’ started “sundowning”, restlessness at night, he’s 13 years old now. I was looking for supplements to help him sleep through the night and Gaba was one of the things mentioned. I wanted to know if I could give it to him without harm.
Monika
Yes many vets use GABA and gabapentin interchangeably.
Both tryptophan and theanine (vet product called Anxitane) are commonly used by vets for pets with sundowning symptoms – restlessness, anxiety, sleep issues and even some agitation/agression.
You may find these human sundowning case studies of interest: https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-lessens-anxiety-agitation-and-defiance-in-98-year-old-mother-who-has-been-sundowning-for-a-couple-of-years/ and https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/sundowning-in-alzheimers-and-dementia-melatonin-tryptophan-for-the-agitation-restlessness-anxiety-disturbed-sleep-and-aggression/
This is a really important topic, thanks for raising awareness that GABA and Gabapentin are NOT the same thing.
I was prescribed (Phara)GABA supplement by my primary care MD/DO after testing low in a neurotransmitter test (even these are not exact as they are a snapshot in time and levels can change). It really helped calm me. I had a severe concussion several years ago and experienced anxiety for a few years afterward. GABA became part of my go-to solution to help manage overstimuli and anxiety. I learned that GABA is sometimes recommended for people with an addiction. For me, I was drinking alcohol more than I realized to “help” (creates other issues) numb pain. GABA was a much better solution and I noticed my desire to drink declined after taking GABA, like part of me was satisfied.
Fast forward a couple years from when I started taking GABA and I experienced severe depression with suicidal thoughts. I later learned the SI was a result of pain intensifying and me not seeing more viable options in my life. (I also fully believe in the idea that blocked/suppressed energy manifests in bad ways, such as depression and diseases. Keeping energy flowing is key to good health.) Ultimately, therapy was the real solution, but it is a slower process. I was prescribed an SSRI by my MD/DO. Several months later they switched me to an SNRI, which was the right choice in hindsight. However, the depression intensity became too much and I entered a couple of months of a crisis stage where it was basically day-to-day. My SNRI dosage was increased quite a bit over a few phases.
I met with a psychiatrist upon entering this crisis stage. We added an ADHD stimulant, in concert with my doctor, which helped and was correct in hindsight (though at one point my dosage was too high and caused bad symptoms). We also added a low dose of Lithium (carbonate, I believe) that can help reduce the volatility of emotions. It helped. (Be very careful with this stuff though.)
** About 5 weeks into 8 weeks of a crisis phase, we added Gabapentin. My psychiatrist positioned it as being pharmaceutical-grade GABA and therefore more capable of passing through the blood-brain barrier. WRONG! (Again, thank you for this post.) My body interpreted it very differently and it could have killed me. Gabapentin took away my sense of seriousness around committing suicide. (It is typically used to reduce nerve pain, I believe.) The healthy degree of fear of suicide that was keeping me alive was reduced and along with it the barrier to pursuing suicide. I was able to distract myself into other things at a couple of key moments, but if I would have continued taking it I do not think I would be alive today. I only took it for about a week and was told to stop taking it after reporting my experience. Things started getting better after that, as other meds and wellness efforts were able to take more of an effect.
If you ever know anyone experiencing mental health challenges and hear they may take Gabapentin, please tell them to be very cautious and be sure to discuss with one or more highly qualified health professionals (MD, experienced psychiatrist, neurologist, etc). AND, stay in daily contact with them or encourage them to keep a daily journal and check in with safe people if anything ever feels off. There is no judgment on this. Sometimes people just feel a certain way, and that is okay. What is important is people reach out if they feel off. Without reaching out the potential for a crisis will increase.
Scott
Thanks for sharing your experiences, which will be valuable for other blog readers. It’s very unfortunate that your psychiatrist positioned gabapentin “as being pharmaceutical-grade GABA and therefore more capable of passing through the blood-brain barrier.” But I’m very glad you’re doing better
So I know this post is older but I was recently recommended to take a supplement with GABA in it because I have Idiopathic Hypersomnia and could not tolerate the Effexor and refuse to try Xywav (if you know what that is you will understand my concerns). My mom told me that Gaba was the same as Gabapentin which I am lead to understand is the same as Neurontin.
Now I am concerned because in 2018 I was given Neurontin after a very bad motorcycle accident and surgery. I was not told about the rare side effects so after 1 week you can imagine how scared my husband became when I was suddenly very suicidal and not making rational sense. So basically now I am scared that this supplement could cause the same thing to happen again
Terri
I am sorry to hear about how gabapentin/Neurontin impacted you – this is not unusual.
However as you can read in this blog post, GABA is not the same as gabapentin/Neurontin as does not have these adverse effects and works very well provided the person has low GABA levels and uses the correct form and dose of GABA, and uses it sublingually.
When you’re new to the amino acids, my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” has an entire chapter on the aminos (including GABA) with detailed info on doses and times. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ I also cover all the nutritional aspects for helping to ease anxiety, many of which I’d consider with someone with Idiopathic Hypersomnia.
If you do find you need guidance and support with using GABA – GABA Quickstart program https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/ You get specific feedback because I gather a mini health history.
I’d love to hear how you describe your Idiopathic Hypersomnia and how long it’s been an issue? And if you have you worked with someone to look into the possible role of low GABA, low serotonin, blood sugar issues, gut health, food sensitivities, adrenal health, thyroid health etc
I was not familiar with Xywav until now so I appreciate you asking this question. I am now fully up to date on this new pharmaceutical grade GHB (“Date rape” drug), now branded as the prescription drug Xywav and recently be approved for Idiopathic Hypersomnia. It’s very concerning and I’ll be working on a new blog post shortly because it will be contraindicated to use Xywav and GABA. If you can share anything more with regards to what you were told about Xywav I’d appreciate hearing back.
So I have had sleep issues consistent with what I now know are all signs of Narcolepsy since I was young. In my late teens early 20s I was told that I just did not understand the demands of motherhood and it was normal. Then when I was 23 I developed Hashimoto’s and I was told for next 20 years this was the problem. A few years ago I met some one who had the same crazy things I did and she explained what I needed to push for as far as testing went. So I have vivid dreams/nightmares 2-5 times a night as well as layered dreams. I also suffer from hallucinations when falling asleep and paralysis when waking. I wake up as tired as I was when I went to sleep because my dreams are so real I feel like I lived them. I also struggle separating dreams from reality. Untreated my Epworth score is a 20 The reason I was given a diagnosis of IH instead of narcolepsy is because on the MSLT is even though I fell asleep in under 5 minutes on 4 of the 5 naps they did not record REM on them. One doctor explained that the test is actually not very accurate for REM but since the treatments are pretty similar he was not sure it would be worth doing a second study.
Because we move every few years and I have to constantly change doctors I have not been able to really find a holistic doctor to work with for both my conditions so I do a lot of research because I do prefer more holistic options and take only the Synthroid and Adderall because I need them to function and work. This is also why I am very alarmed at the thought of being prescribed a GHB. Also I was roofied 10 years ago and while I was lucky nothing bad happened to me my reaction to the drug was not the same as what others describe and definitely not some thing I would ever want to feel again. I was awake the whole time and aware of everything i just could not move or speak.
Terri
Your GHB experience sounds terrifying
Please keep us posted as to how the amino acids and dietary changes help
Is it ok to take Gaba supplements while tapering off Gabapentin?
Tira
I’ve had many clients use both but always discuss with the prescribing doctor. GABA and good foundational nutritional support (as covered in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution”) helps make medication tapering easier.
Trudy, great info. Thank you. Do you have any incite on helping someone with Gabapentin withdrawals using actual GABA supplementation?
Jake
As always I have clients use GABA based on low GABA symptoms and using the dose that fits their needs. With all medication tapers they discuss with the prescribing doctor and get nutritionally stable first
Frankly, the difference between gaba supplement and gabapentin is not clear from this article. Both are amino acids and neurotransmitters that reduce the agitation of the nerve system♀️
No differentiation has been given.
Otc or prescription is not a differentiator. People expect clarity in the active component (there are slightly different formulas) and in mechanisms of action. I learned from other sources that gabapentin penetrate blood-brain barrier and gaba supplement does not – so it makes it unclear how gaba supplement can have any effect at all.
There are some negative side effects of gabapentin plus dependency-withdrawal issue – isn’t it also true for gaba supplement or it just wasn’t studied?
Again, there is a huge problem with logic and in the clarity and consistency of comparisons.
My main interest is if gaba supplement can be used to sedate a cat similar to gabapentin (200 mg is a max dose), or at least to calm a cat? What would be the dosage of the supplement ? Or gaba supplement is useless for both cats and humans because it doesn’t penetrate blood-brain barrier?
Lea
Gabapentin is not an amino acid – it’s synthetic. And as I share the big difference is the side-effects and dependency-withdrawal issue with gabapentin. You are correct, this aspect has not been studied with GABA but clinically we don’t see it.
Whether or not GABA can cross the blood brain barrier is a big debate (search the blog for articles on this topic) but either way it does work to raise GABA levels and have a calming effect.
Be sure to read all the GABA case studies on the blog if you’re still skeptical it doesn’t work – here is one of many – My 6 year old was having panic attacks getting out of the car for Kindergarten: GABA has completely relieved him of his fears https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/my-6-year-old-was-having-panic-attacks-getting-out-of-the-car-for-kindergarten-gaba-has-completely-relieved-him-of-his-fears/
I would consider theanine (which boosts GABA and supports serotonin) for an anxious cat and have positive feedback on a product called Anxitane. Keep it mind it will only work if the anxiety is caused by low GABA/low serotonin.
As with humans we also need to address dietary factors with anxious cats and dogs and a gluten-free diet is a good place to start.
Fixed typo: No way (instead of now way)
Gabapentin changed my life. In 2019 a strange and lengthy virus left me with a debilitating sensory neuropathic cough, finally receiving that diagnosis in 2020 and eventually taking Gabapentin 300 mg 4xday. It worked. I could go to church, sleep most of the night, and live a normal life. Sometime in 2023 things gradually changed, almost imperceptibly. In October I drove off the road, totaling my car. At that point we began to look at my fitness watch records that went back to July and found my heart rate was often in the 40’s bpm, corroborate by a 30-day monitor test, which revealed an AV heart block. In the meantime, I started to withdraw the drug. VERY DIFFICULT. The prescriber said to drop one capsule every 3 days. No way. It took me a month of very strong determination, slowly weaning down to 100mg once a day.
The first day I was more than 24 hours without it, was the day I saw the electrophysiologist heart doctor. My heartrate never got above 45 bpm that entire day. He said I must have a pacemaker, and scheduled for January. I hoped my heart would improve as the drug detoxes out, but it didn’t. So now I have the pacemaker. Since then, I found drug trial information on gabapentin that lists more than was ever on the patient handout. I note that bradycardia and heart block are rare, but known adverse effects, among many more: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0936a88f-b569-49c4-951b-14e8f6273b53
I still have leftover insomnia issues, and possibly slow digestive motility. Thank you for the information on Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid. I wish I had known this before. I am trying this.
Ann
Sorry to hear you went through this but thanks for sharing. Do keep us posted on how you do with GABA. My book is a great resource for learning about GABA and the other amino acids https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
And if you get a neuropathic cough in the future you may find this blog helpful – Vagus nerve rehab with GABA, breathing, humming, gargling and key nutrients https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/vagus-nerve-rehab-gaba/
You are so kind. I ordered your book even before posting this. To expound, the sensory neuropathic cough is far from resolved. I have been treating with one of the doctors footnoted in the Arnold’s nerve cough reflex article link. I wished to avoid pharmaceuticals and he was most accommodating in first trying capsaicin spray regularly to deplete the cough reflex. When that didn’t work well, we progressed to a drug that I could not tolerate, perhaps another, and finally to the gabapentin. I happened to have had a normal EKG for eye surgery a few days before getting on gabapentin; so the heart block definitely appeared since that drug. The heart doctor said no, it could not have been the drug. I think he’s wrong.
BTW, an ENT initially blamed acid reflux and would not believe me that I knew it wasn’t, until an endoscopy with a 10-day wireless BRAVO capsule proved me correct.
The cough is a dry cough, BUT with repeated coughing, or choking, the body automatically produces a lot of mucous, running eyes, congestion, and even vomiting in an attempt to clear a perceived compromised airway. If the cough attack is bad, I get what feels like an imbalance in the esophagus, I found that a sip of water rebalances that and prevents vomiting. My last resort rescue for me was Sucrets because it temporarily numbed the cough reflex. I found it constipating, however, since I suspect it also can anesthetize the gut.
I did not have any lump in the throat or restricted airway or other voice difficulty, other than a new difficulty swallowing pills. Eating, lengthy talking, swallowing wrong or a bubble of water, inhaled dust, some foods more than others, set off a cough attack … or no reason at all. It was debilitating. Since being off the drug, I think time has brought about improvement, but by no means healed it. Night is the worst because post nasal secretions set it off and I wake up coughing. Saline nasal spray is a great help with this, before bed, and during the night because it clears out the sinuses.
While withdrawing, I was getting restless leg syndrome that I never had before, but I think that is getting better now. I have never had anxiety. Just real emotional upheaval during withdrawal.
I still have trouble sleeping. My goal now is to improve sleep, and eventually heal the cough and other possible related vagus nerve damage. I bought 500 mg GABA. Last night I opened one and removed half of the powder before taking it. I had no adverse effects, and it appears from my fitness watch report that it was a slightly better night than usual. I only woke once with coughing. I shall carry on with many of your suggestions; the humming exercises seem particularly hopeful to me.
Ann
Got it – do keep us posted on progress and search the blog for many related posts on swallowing issues
Your book just arrived today, so I will be begin reading it now.
Coincidentally, today Dr. Mercola has outside the paywall an interview with Scott Sherr regarding GABA. It will only be up for free viewing for a couple of days. But you can download the transcript to print and save while it’s free. He mentions Ray Peat, to whom you also have referred. I haven’t listened or read all of it yet.
A question I am wondering, the humming exercises have to do with vibrating the vagus nerve? How about using my electric toothbrush on the roof of my mouth when I brush my teeth? I have been trying that, wondering if that will help.
Ann
I don’t know about using an electric toothbrush for this purpose. It’s an interesting idea but I suspect it may be too much for most folks. Trying it is one way to know.
Thanks for sharing about the Mercola/Sherr interview and sending me the PDF. (I removed the link). It seems Dr. Mercola is a big fan of Ray Peat’s theory about serotonin needing to be lowered and not using tryptophan. It makes zero sense to me and clinically I have a professional difference of opinion about this.
Scott Sherr didn’t have much to say about serotonin/tryptophan but he firmly believes that GABA supplementation does not work because of the BBB. He even mentioned using 2-3 grams of GABA which is way too much. There was no mention of using GABA sublingually which is what I have found to work very well. Clinically I have a professional difference of opinion about this too.
I hope you find much value from my book and keep in mind the GABA info about using it sublingually is mostly on the blog.
It has been a month now. I tried GABA sublingually, but for me it works best to by emptying a capsule onto the two areas on the sides of my throat that cause the cough. I keep some more at bedside to pinch a sprinkle on the area if I wake up coughing. That usually stops it. Recovering from the surgery and adjusting to the pacemaker has been consuming much of my efforts and time. Two weeks ago the pacemaker clinic changed the settings to allow my heart rate to go below 60 when sleeping. Evidently that was another reason I couldn’t sleep. Now it goes to 55 or 57 and I am getting some better sleep.
I am still reading your book. My diet has for a very long time been along the lines of the healthy traditional diet. The only oils I use are coconut and olive oil, including making my own salad dressing. I avoid bread, and drink reverse-osmosis-filtered water as pretty much my only beverage. Bread very sparingly but that only “good” bread. Daily I take probiotics, a multi-vitamin, black elderberry liquid, C, D3, K2, glucosamine, magnesium, biotin, and B-complex. Since gabapentin withdrawing and surgery, in the morning I still take about 1/3 cup of an apple cider vinegar detox I make with lemon juice, honey, cinnamon, frozen fresh ginger and cayenne pepper. I do still have one cup of black coffee in the morning. I make yogurt now and add collagen protein powder and fresh fruit for breakfast. I avoid and have no craving for empty/starchy carbs or sweets, only have occasionally and sparingly. I had hypoglycemia many years ago, but have no issues with blood sugar now, even fasting, at all.
I have tried to take zinc but the zinc gluconate tablets I have made me very nauseated every time I took them, no matter what or when. I had them in my vitamin daily compartments, but kept passing up on that one. I began to notice my other vitamins were picking up the taste and leaving me a little nauseated, and one day I inadvertently took one with the other vitamins and had to spit it out in the sink and rinse my mouth out, so I took them out, and looked up zinc part in the book to see if there was another form of it that would be better. I scored low on the pyroluria questionnaire. Not surprisingly, the zinc taste test explained a lot. Although I don’t have liquid zinc sulfate, Category 4 is my exact experience!
I found I have free fitness center membership through our insurance. My husband and I go every weekday. I can’t do repetitive arm movements yet for another couple of weeks. I am continuing on step-by-step as I can with your help and suggestions. Thank you so much for pointing me in some very, very good directions!
Thanks for sharing how you use GABA and glad it’s working for you
Gabapentin is will known in the medical world for raising GABA levels in humans and animals alike. SO the question is, can you safely use them together and I have never found an answer to that question. I have been on gabapentin for decades and I’m not about to try to get off currently as my pain levels are already sky high and obviously I would have withdrawals which I’m not willing to go through right now. I’ve already cut my doses down by almost half over the last year. So, I would like to take GABA for anxiety during the day but I’m worried I might get too sleepy and also don’t know what amount is good to take. like mgs of GABA. I have already gotten off methadone nine months ago which I was also on for pain (having Lyme disease, Hashimoto’s and fibromyalgia as well as five bulged discs in my neck and back and degenerative arthritis in my spine, knees and a few other places. I was put on pregabalin over a year ago but I got off that really quick because it was so addictive and went back to gabapentin. Yikes.
Kelly
I have had clients use both with no issues but always have them discuss with their prescribing doctor or their pharmacist.
Source naturals GABA calm contains a small amount of tyrosine which helps counter the sleepiness during the day. The amount depends on each person’s unique needs.
With pain issues other things to consider are gluten sensitivity, low endorphins and oxalate issues (all covered on the blog – use the search). And there is research on 5-HTP helping with fibromyalgia (also on the blog)
So to understand that the difference between gaba and gabapentin is something in the structure of the prescription one that makes it more potent with a more clinical result, but otherwise they operate in the same way? Is it some modification they made to the gaba (like adding the ‘pentin’ part) that makes it get through the brain barrier more easily? It seems to me the main difference is one of degree of potency? Also what is the best form of GABA amino acid to take? sub-lingual, powder, or tablet?
Mike
They don’t operate in the same way and the amino acid GABA doesn’t need to get through the BBB in order for it to work since there are GABA receptors all over the body.
I always recommend GABA sublingual, powder, liposomal or cream
I take Rx Gabapentin for my diagnosis of PLM (periodic leg movement) and night muscle cramps.
One of my sources of vitamins and supplements listed an item labeled GABA in bold letters on the bottle. (Non) thinking that this was related to prescription Gabapentin, I ordered many bottles thinking it as a supplement to my Rx.
After reading your comprehensive article, I realize not they ARE different. But your detailing of the benefits and warnings about Gaba-Aminobutyric Acid indicated that It would definitely benefit me for some of my other afflictions. So I will it for those purposed.
Thank you for your enlightenment on this subject. I will the Medical and Drug suppliers would pay attention and come up with non-confusing labeling…..
Layne age 79
I am surprised that you didn’t speak more in your article about the fact that gabapentin is being prescribed more for mood and that it siena work for mood. I am taking gabapentin for my anxiety and it works wonderfully. I know that you might be just following what the peer based reviews say but I will tell you first hand , and I have taken Prozac in the past but not now, that gabapentin work the BEST for lowering my anxiety. I suspect that in the future there will be more discoveries regarding gabapentin and how it helps with anxiety .
Julie
If this medication works for you that’s wonderful.
I am a nutritionist and my approach is to use food and nutrients for folks with anxiety/mood/sleep issues.
This blog post is for folks who choose not to use meds or are considering this medication and want to know about side-effects and tapering issues.
And to help create awareness that the amino acid GABA is not the same as gabapentin, and has none of the same issues.