This questionnaire will help you identify whether you may have low levels of GABA. Check off any of the symptoms below that apply to you:
Anxiety and feeling overwhelmed
Feeling worried or fearful
Panic attacks
Unable to relax or loosen up
Stiff or tense muscles
Feeling stressed and burned-out
Craving carbs, alcohol, or drugs for relaxation and calming
If you checked off 3 or more symptoms, you may have low GABA levels.
You may benefit from taking a supplement containing GABA. GABA is the most important calming neurotransmitter, and is also an amino acid. Low levels of GABA are associated with anxiety, agitation, stress, and poor sleep. If you have sufficient GABA, you’ll feel relaxed and stress free. You won’t have anxiety or panic attacks, and you won’t eat sugary foods or other starchy foods or feel like you need a glass of wine in an effort to calm down.
Try some yoga, which has been shown to raise GABA levels. It’s also important to do whatever you can to reduce stress in your life. In addition to yoga, try tai chi, meditation, taking walks outdoors in a peaceful environment or taking a vacation.
It’s amazing how many women tolerate low-grade anxiety. I’m working with a client at the moment, who came to me because she has low energy and arthritis. It turns out, based on the Low GABA Questionnaire, she has low grade anxiety and stiff/tense muscles. Based on her Low Serotinin Questionnaire she also has mild depression, imposter syndrome and negative self-talk. When I asked why these were not on her list of health objectives, she said they were just so much a part of her everyday life, that she really didn’t think there was anything she could do about it. I’m pleased to report that there is plenty we can do and did do and she is feeling a LOT better after a few short weeks!
Worry and anxiety can be a result of low GABA and also low serotonin, so you may check off anxiety in both this questionnaire and the Low Serotonin Questionnaire. I’ll address this in a future post.
This questionnaire is taken from chapter 6 of The Antianxiety Food Solution: How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood and End Cravings, now available in major books stores, at Amazon and via www.antianxietyfoodsolution.com.
Trudy,
I think the questions you ask are so helpful to people who are looking for help with chronic health issues. Thanks for sharing this.
Sue
Thanks Trudy! You always have such great, thoughtful information to remind me about my health.
Trudy,
My yoga class twice a week is now a part of my life. I look forward to it more than sleeping or eating dinner.
Mitch
Mitch
It’s great that yoga is a part of your life – it makes such a difference in this stressed out world of ours! some me-time! yes!
Trudy
Hi Trudy,
Thanks for sharing. I can relate to wanting a glass of wine. 🙂 You tips are always helpful and I appreciate how willing you are to support us in our journey to be healthier.
Write on!~
Lisa Manyon
Lisa
Watch that wine, especially if you are self-medicating to feel better!
Trudy
Do you have any tips on how to lower GABA levels? Specifically foods or natural ways to do so? I suffer from Idiopathic Hypersomnia, a condition caused by GABA levels being too high. Would really appreciate your feedback/ideas.
Hi Lloyd
This is a challenging question that I don’t have an answer to. I’d really need to know more about what GABA test you did and what other possible contributing factors have been addressed/considered and ruled out – like very low cortisol levels, food intolerances, low catecholamines, Lyme disease etc. All of these (and others) could play a role in excessive tiredness. Since this is a complex issue you’re dealing with, working one-on-one with a nutritionist or other holistic health professional would be my recommendation. I’d be happy to try and help – we’d start with a 15 min complimentary phone call and decide next steps https://www.everywomanover29.com/initialconsult.html. If I don’t feel I can offer nutritional help, I’d be happy to try and find someone to refer you to
Thanks
Trudy
Hi Trudy
I live in New Zealand, and GABA is illegal here. I can however get a combined supplement that has some GABA in it. I have seratonin and GABA issues according to your questionnaire.
Would Now Foods – Mood Support be a good supplement to use http://www.nowfoods.com/Mood-Support-90-Veg-Capsules.htm
I also use the Now Foods True Balance as my multi – I’m not sure if I’m getting too much folate with the Mood Support and the multi. And what to do about extra B vitamins???
Thanks in advance.
Hi Leanne
I think it’s easier to take individual amino acids rather than combos. That way you know what is having an effect. I am not in favor of supplements that use folic acid. It appears that both of these have folic acid.
I’d suggest looking for theanine, taurine, glycine and use zinc and B6 as cofactors for making GABA.
Trudy
I have anxiety and occasional panic attacks and am considering GABA since I check off more on this list than serotonin. However, I cannot take SSRI’s (not even St. John’s Wort) because it causes something around my heart area to sort of “ping” and then radiate a burning sensation throughout my body at a rate of about 10 of these pings per minute after I’ve used the SSRI for about a month. Stopping the SSRI’s stops the problem. My doctor has never heard of this reaction, but has told me to stay away from them. While I know GABA is an amino acid, I’m a little hesitant to take it for fear it will cause the same sensation. Do you think GABA or any of the other amino acids you recommend would cause this type of reaction as well? Thank you for your help on this issue.
Beth
I’ve not had anyone describe a sensation such as this when using any of the amino acids. The only way to know would be to try them. I suggest checking with your doctor too.
Hi Trudy,
I have started taking GABA Calm 3x a day. It has definitely already loosened up my tense back muscles and made it easier to breathe. I would like to increase the dose. Do you recommend putting 2 lozenges under my tongue, or buying one of the other brands you recommend, like Enzymatic Therapy 250 mg? Or does it not make a difference?
Michelle
Great to hear you are getting results. I have my clients increase what is working and then possibly try a 250mg or even 500mg when they are taking too many GABA Calms. The GABA Calm is very convenient, sublingual and does have a small amount of tyrosine which many people like
Thank you Trudy!
What are tryptophan and GABA derived from? I have many allergies to grass, pine, etc.? Thank you.