Today I’m answering this question that has been asked of me a number of times: How did you come up with the idea of using GABA on the tongue? Since there is so much controversy about GABA and the blood brain barrier and whether GABA actually works, it’s time to address this question via a blog post. Using GABA on the tongue, under the tongue and/or on the inside cheek approach is also the most effective way to use GABA and when it’s not used in one of these ways many individuals end up saying GABA didn’t help ease their anxiety and other low GABA symptoms. I also define sublingual – the term I use when discussing this approach – and how this method is broader than just being sublingual. And I share a case study. More on all this below.
So how did I come up with the idea of using GABA on the tongue?
I’ve always had clients use a GABA capsule opened on to their tongue for the initial trial, based on them having low GABA symptoms of physical anxiety, stiff and tense muscles, tension, stress eating, insomnia, laryngospasms, intrusive thoughts and self-medicating with alcohol. Doing it this way means we get results right away (for example within 5 minutes they can say their physical anxiety has improved from 9/10 to say 6/10) and we know how to proceed in terms of dosing.
Then I’d have clients go home and swallow the GABA capsules. However not everyone continued to get the same benefits they experienced in the one-off trial so I’d suggest a higher dose, also swallowed.
Then I decided to have clients just continue to use GABA capsules opened or as powder or a liposomal product (more on these below) after the initial one-off trial. Having clients use GABA this way resulted in consistent and superior results and it’s what I continue to recommend.
The many benefits of this approach
There are many benefits to using this approach of using GABA on the tongue:
- Seeing better results and in some cases getting results (fullstop!)when you were not seeing any benefits swallowing a GABA capsule
- Better results when you have digestive and/or liver issues because GABA bypasses the liver and digestive system.
- Quicker/almost immediate results (in 5-10 minutes and often quicker) which is more encouraging and gives you hope right away.
- You need less GABA so it’s money-saving too.
I now have folks use all the amino acids this way and it’s working very well.
Defining sublingual, buccal and roof of the mouth and which is best
I use the term sublingual very broadly – under the tongue, in the cheek or on the tongue – for at least 2 minutes and not washed down with water or food right away.
It’s easier but technically sublingual means using GABA under the tongue. This way it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream for immediate use, bypassing the liver and digestive system.
When I talk and write about using GABA on the tongue or sublingually, I’m often asked: How is on tongue vs under tongue different or is it?
This paper, Sublingual Mucosa as a Route for Systemic Drug Delivery summarizes the benefits of sublingual delivery and which area of the mouth provides better results (for drug delivery)
Drug delivery via the oral mucous membrane is considered to be a promising alternative to the oral route. Sublingual route is useful when rapid onset of action is desired with better patient compliance than orally ingested tablets.
In terms of permeability, the sublingual area of the oral cavity (i.e. the floor of the mouth) is more permeable than the buccal (cheek) area, which in turn is more permeable than the palatal (roof of the mouth) area.
The portion of drug absorbed through the sublingual blood vessels bypasses the hepatic first‐pass metabolic processes giving acceptable bioavailability.
I find that either way works (under and on the tongue) and so does using it rubbed on the inside of the cheek/buccal area. I share more on that here – Paroxysmal laryngospasm with low GABA physical-tension-type-anxiety: Is GABA powder rubbed on the inside of the cheek a solution?
One way you could hedge your bets is to use a GABA powder (with some water) or lozenge or liposomal and swish it in the mouth, making sure it gets under the tongue, onto the cheek areas and on top of the tongue. Swish it for about 2 minutes before swallowing. And don’t wash it down with water or food right away.
Amanda’s feedback on GABA calm vs GABA capsules
When I shared some of this on Facebook, Amanda shared her positive feedback:
Sublingual is more effective and faster. I’ve been taking capsules at night and noticed improvement with sleep. Last week we decided to sell our house and I was soooo stressed with prepping and dealing with people.
I had a bottle of GABA Calm I ordered from your recommendation (I didn’t mean to order because I had lots of gaba capsules). I was so thankful because I took two of those and about 15 minutes later I was much more relaxed. They are so helpful!!
A common question I get is this: is GABA Calm better than plain GABA powder? Some folks prefer GABA Calm and others the powder. Either way we do increase to find the ideal dose and using powder allows us to go higher more easily.
But we are all unique and it’s a matter of finding what works best for your needs. Amanda also shared why she feels GABA Calm is so helpful:
GABA Calm also has tyrosine, magnesium, and taurine. It seems for me the combination of the magnesium and taurine with the GABA takes it from helpful to stellar. I know I have a history of low taurine so perhaps that’s why for me.
All this and the fact that it’s a lozenge that is dissolved in your mouth and absorbed quickly makes it so effective for her and so many of my clients.
Resources if you are new to using amino acids as supplements
If you are new to using 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, low serotonin and low endorphins).
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, anxiety and mood issues.
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 too). 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.
What have you found, is GABA opened/sublingual more effective than a GABA capsule swallowed?
What works best for your unique needs – a powder, a chewable or a liposomal product?
And do you find it more effective under the tongue/sublingual, in the cheek/buccal or on the tongue? Or have you not noticed or perhaps find similar benefits with all three ways?
If you have questions and other feedback please share it here too.
The calming results of GABA powder look promising! I fit your description of low GABA to a T. I’m on three prescription anti-depressants; am tapering one of them ever so slowly as I’m very sensitive to dose changes. Is taking GABA contraindicated if taking SSRIs or SNRIs?
Elsa
GABA is not contraindicated with SSRIs/SRNIs but to be safe, I don’t have clients who are on more than one psych med use any of the amino acids. And if they choose to, to always discuss with the prescribing doctor.
Trudy, do you have any information about using Gaba during benzodiazepine withdrawal?I know benzodiazepine effectively blocks the GABA receptors so I wonder, does taking Gaba while withdrawing from benzodiazepines help or hinder mood and brain recovery? Different sources seem to have different viewpoints about this. Do you have any experience with this?
Rose
For many folks GABA helps during benzo withdrawal. I also find that being nutritionally stable BEFORE starting to taper helps too.
I am aware that many support groups like benzobuddies (as wonderful as they are) say zero supps during tapering and I disagree with this.
I’m tapering off of a prescribed benzo and I have health anxiety as well so every withdrawal symptom (and there are many) scares me and I go into fight/flight all the time. Could GABA help? Where do I start???
Robin
I have seen GABA help many individuals who are tapering benzos. Tryptophan and melatonin can often help too.
When you are new to the amino acids, my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is an excellent resource. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ It’s a comprehensive approach that includes diet, gut health, adrenals and more – and it helps to have all this in place before starting to taper but changes can be made during tapering too.
I have been using the Gaba Supplement for awhile now, & I love it, only problem is I do not sleep through the night, I wake up & have to take another Gaba.
I tried The Gaba Calm, but wake up in the middle of the night with a Dry mouth & have to go to the Bathroom every 2 Hours. Does the Calm affect the Kidneys.
Any suggestions for sleeping through the night would be appreciated.
Thank You
Dianna
Canada
Dianna
There are many root causes that can cause waking – not enough GABA (so more is used before bed or a GABA only powder may be better), low serotonin (tryptophan/melatonin), gluten/sugar/caffeine, SIBO and bloating, parasites and even dietary oxalates (I share how they affected my sleep and how taurine helped here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/waking-in-the-night-due-to-environmental-toxins-impacts-on-the-liver-gallbladder-and-fat-digestion-making-oxalate-issues-worse/)
I first started taking Gaba Supplements in pill form. It seemed to help me some but took a couple hours to start working. It wasn’t till after I saw a post of yours about opening up the capsule and putting it under my tongue. I decided to try it and couldn’t believe how fast it started working. Years ago my doctor had given me Xanax and I truly feel that the Gaba under the tongue works better and faster! I don’t take Gaba every day, it’s something I have on hand though for when I need it.
Laura
This is wonderful to hear! Thanks for sharing GABA opened on to the tongue works so well for you
Hi Trudy,
In your book it says not to take tyrosine if you have high blood pressure, I am not on medication but have up and down BP usually depending on my anxiety, nerves or just worried about something, always goes sky high at the doctors. I was introduced to Gaba years ago in capsule form and use when I feel anxious or just plain uneasy, but not sure if using it that way for years, but not every day, is good or not but I find it helps although not as much as I wish for insomnia. My question is since your recommended Gaba Calm has tyrosine what is your next recommended product?
Thanks,
Diane
Diane
The amount of tyrosine in GABA Calm is so low I’ve never seen it to be an issue with high blood pressure. But client’s often choose to monitor esp when not on meds.
Good to hear it’s been helping.
A GABA only like NOW GABA powder or NFH GABA-T-SAP opened on to the tongue. Find them here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-pyroluria-supplements/
Hi Trudy. I wanted to try GABA Calm since it seems to be the most effective product you recommend but it contains sorbitol which causes bloating for me. Would the next best supplement be the NFH GABA-T-SAP or the NOW GABA Powder? Since it’s 300 mg, should I use half opened capsule on the tongue to start? My anxiety seems to be caused by Candida and gut issues. It feels very physical including muscle tension, overwhelming anxiety in my body and chest.
Bonnie
I have clients use 125mg of NOW GABA powder unless they know theanine works for them.
Keep us posted how you do
Thanks Trudy. The NOW GABA powder is 500 mg of GABA in 1/4 tsp. So I would quarter this amount for 125 mg dissolved under the tongue?
Bonnie
This is what I have clients do
Alcohol dependence
Thank you for your knowledge and understanding. I am interested in helping my son quit drinking and using supplements for this. Alcohol and benzodiazepines used in treatment both block GABA receptors but I assume having GABA available in your system is better than none (especially as nutrition has been very poor). Have you an article on this?
MJ
There are a number of blogs on alcohol. It’s a matter of figuring out which amino acids are needed for each person and doing trials of each one. Here are a few
– Tryptophan had the added benefit of turning me completely off alcohol when I took it to improve mood and sleep during perimenopause https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/tryptophan-had-the-added-benefit-of-turning-me-completely-off-alcohol-when-i-took-it-to-improve-mood-and-sleep-during-perimenopause/
– An amino acid supplement with DLPA, glutamine and 5-HTP eases alcohol withdrawal symptoms at an inpatient detoxification program https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/an-amino-acid-supplement-with-dlpa-glutamine-and-5-htp-eases-alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms-at-an-inpatient-detoxification-program/
Use the search feature to find other blogs here and keep in mind that good blood sugar stability and nutritional status is key for recovery. When you are new to the amino acids and anxiety nutrition solutions my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is an excellent resource for all of the above https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Often low vitamin B1 needs to be addressed too.
Love this comment each person is different ❤️
Hi Trudy,
I stumbled across this video on Youtube and am seeking your thoughts on it please.
In my quest to achieve a state of calm as naturally as possible, I research a lot of stuff.
I have always taken on board the knowledge you share about Gaba.
The video, made by a quite well known fitness trainer, Thomas Delauer, focuses on Gaba.
I would be really appreciative if you have time, to watch it, as now I’m unsure that the Gaba Calm I have
purchased, and yet to take, is in fact, going to be effective.
“The Strongest Neurotransmitter in the World is NOT Dopamine or Serotonin – Dr. Scott Sherr MD (youtube channel of Thomas DeLauer)
Your team suggested I time stamp the part of the video of interest, but frankly, there are poignant points made throughout. The company associated with the guest speaker is Troscriptions.
Thanks in advance.
Suzanne
I am guessing your question is about Dr. Sherr’s comment “GABA supplements don’t work – GABA is too big a molecule to get across the blood brain barrier. GABA supplements don’t typically work unless you have a leaky gut which means you have a leaky brain/BBB.”
Saying GABA supplements don’t work is simply not a true statement. I stand by my recommendations of GABA Calm or other GABA products (always used sublingually or powder or capsules opened or cream) as an effective way to boost GABA levels that are low, and ease physical anxiety symptoms.
If you’re still unsure I encourage you to read the many case studies published on this blog and in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
This blog may also be helpful – Dr. Datis Kharrazian’s GABA Challenge for a leaky blood brain barrier is a theory and we still have much to learn https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/dr-datis-kharrazians-gaba-challenge-for-a-leaky-blood-brain-barrier-is-a-theory-and-we-still-have-much-to-learn/
And this one from 2016 – The Anxiety Summit – GABA: Blood brain barrier controversy, concerns, best forms and how to do a trial for eliminating anxiety https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-blood-brain-barrier-trial-anxiety/
Doing a trial of GABA is another way to find out how effective it is. And you could always do a trial of their product and compare the two. Please do let us know if you decide to do this.
I do like that their products use the buccal method for delivery but am not excited about the fact they include polyethylene glycol (PEG).
I have been taking gaba since 2022 and have cervical spinal cord injuries as well as Tbi .
I use powder in warm water and have had the most amazing experience.
I was wondering if it is possible to take gaba via suppositories because my mom has carcinoid cancer in the intestinal area where a large amount of gaba is found in the body. I understand that this is controversial but my mom is sick and I would like to do my best to help her! Any thoughts or suggestions how to do this or make them? I feel as though carcinoid cancer as I have a very good friend who passed of pancreatic carcinoma at 42 are people who are anxious and over tax the Nero endocrine system. Just a thought.
Nicole
It’s wonderful to hear GABA has helped you – I’d love to hear how it helps and how much you use.
I am sorry to hear about your mom. I have no experience with GABA being used in this way for intestinal cancer but you could share this research with your mom’s medical team and getting their feedback – Insights into the leveraging of GABAergic signaling in cancer therapy … “GABAergic system is a potential target for anticancer therapy” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10358225/
I do know diazepam suppositories are used vaginally and rectally so would expect GABA to offer some benefits too.
I have seen benefits with topical GABA cream rubbed on the belly https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/somnium-nighttime-gaba-cream-insomnia-anxiety-bloated-belly-muscle-spasms-ms-arfid-anorexia-alzheimers-and-autism/
I use both gaba calm and gaba powder for relief of back pain and sleep support.
I take the powder sublingually at night. if I underdose i find i wake during the night, if I take too much I sleep in. I’ve tried the gaba calm at night and find it helps with pain, but doesn’t make me sleepy at all. For that reason I use the gaba calm through the day, when needed. Both take around 20mins until I feel relief.
I’ve also started taking protein powder with higher levels of glutamine and B6 supplements to support my bodies own production of gaba.
Lulu
Wonderful to hear and yes it’s key to find the optimal dose of GABA for your needs.
GABA combined with L-arginine seems to improve the blood brain Barrier absorption of GABA
seems to improve x10
At least my husband feels the calming effect of GABA with arginine and not without it
Haven’t seen much around this on the Internet
Martine
Thanks for sharing that GABA with arginine helps your husband – may I ask how much GABA and how much arginine helps? And what benefits he experiences – no more physical tension/panic/overwhelm, less pain, better sleep, less stress-eating, no self-medication with alcohol? And how is GABA and arginine used: sublingual? powder? Curious where the 10x improvement comes from?
Keep in mind we don’t know if GABA even needs to get through the blood brain barrier in order for it to help – we have GABA receptors throughout the body.