Today’s blog is about a young man diagnosed with ADD (attention deficit disorder) in his early twenties and prescribed Adderal (a stimulant). He was a cigarette smoker and drank alcohol too. His mother shared this encouraging feedback about the recent changes he has made and the benefits he reports with pharmaGABA on a recent blog. She aslo has a question about the GABA timing.
If you’re new to the low GABA type of anxiety, here is a recap: with low GABA the anxiety is the physical anxiety type with stiff and tense muscles and there is often the need to self-medicate with alcohol in order to relax, feel calm and fit in socially. Cigarettes can also be calming for many folks. Anxiety can cause poor focus issues and the inability to focus can drive up anxiety.
Here is her feedback and question:
I have a son that just started GABA after I recommended it from following you all these years. He has given up Adderall, alcohol, and nicotine all this past six months and is feeling so much better than the past ten years of his life. He is 32. He had been diagnosed with ADD in his early twenties.
He has symptoms that fall under low GABA and tried a chewable PharmaGABA 100mg tablet yesterday. He took 2 tablets (200mg total) with his meals three times the past two days and said he felt it work immediately. I told him I thought perhaps on a podcast I heard dosing 30 minutes before meals or an hour after was best?
This was my feedback for this mom about the timing of the pharmaGABA:
- It’s wonderful to hear that the chewable pharmaGABA worked immediately to ease his low GABA physical anxiety symptoms
- The amino acid GABA is best used away from protein so, yes, 30 minutes before meals with protein or an hour after is best.
- Your son will likely find he needs less GABA doing it this way and it’ll be more effective.
I had this encouragement and feedback about quitting and using GABA:
- Good for him getting off Adderall and quitting alcohol and nicotine. It can be tough when using just will-power alone.
- The amino acids actually make it easier to quit because of the self-medication aspect and alcohol and nicotine are often used as a way to ease anxiety.
- Even so, addressing low GABA levels after the fact will make it so much easier for him to stay away from nicotine and alcohol without having to use will-power.
- There is also research showing that GABA may offer gut protection after alcohol consumption
- As I mention above, anxiety can cause poor focus issues and the inability to focus can drive up anxiety. GABA can help improve focus and reduce anxiety)
If I was working with young man I would also consider imbalances of other neurotransmitter too (like low serotonin and low endorphins) especially because alcohol and nicotine addictions are so often replaced by sugar and carb addictions.
In this randomized, double blind study, The use of a food supplementation with D-phenylalanine (DPA), L-glutamine and L-5-hydroxytriptophan in the alleviation of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, amino acids were “used to replenish a lack in neurotransmitters and alleviate the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.”
In the study 20 patients were given these amino acids before quitting alcohol and this combination was found to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Based on my experience even when will-power is used to quit (as in this case), many of these withdrawal symptoms linger.
Another reason to look at all the neurotransmitter imbalances is that low blood sugar and gut damage is often a factor with drinkers so glutamine may also be helpful for blood sugar stability and gut healing.
Finally, poor focus can also be caused by low catecholamines, so looking into this and considering a trial with tyrosine may also be worthwhile. This may also prevent the caffeine addiction we see once someone quits alcohol too.
Addressing his diet and probable nutrient deficiencies would be the next step for him. Also looking into adrenal health, possible candida and gut issues and food sensitivities.
I appreciate this mom for sharing and applaud her for telling her son about GABA. I also take my hat off to this young man for making these huge changes in his life and being willing to try GABA.
Have you successfully used GABA or any of the other amino acid to help quit alcohol or cigarettes? Or have you used them after you quit to prevent sygar cravings taking the place of alcohol or cigarettes?
Has GABA or pharmGABA helped ease the physical anxiety you experienced and also helped with focus issues?
Feel free to post your questions here on the blog too.
Trudy, what is pharmaGaba?
Si
PharmaGABA is one form of GABA (an amino acid) that can be used to raise GABA (neurotransmitter) levels. Some folks seem to do better with GABA and others do better with PharmaGABA.
Designs for Health makes a good PharmaGABA supplement and this is the description on the prooduct: “PharmaGABA® is naturally-sourced, bioidentical GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). It is made via a process where the amino acid glutamic acid (glutamate) is fermented using Lactobacillus hilgardii, the beneficial bacteria also used to ferment many foods including the vegetables in kimchi, the famous Korean dish. PharmaGABA™ provides 200 mg of GABA per serving (two tablets). Its chewable tablet delivery allows for rapid and efficient absorption and assimilation. As a result, benefits are felt very quickly.” https://shop.designsforhealth.com/pharmagaba-chewables?quantity=1&custcol_dfh_size=65
Back in the late ’70s & early ’80s I helped to develop, implement, and run an Intensive Outpatient Program [IOP] for Chronic Relapse Addictions & Alcoholism. We provided daily amino acid therapy in the nine-month program to help deal with neurotransmitter imbalances and for acute and post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Clients attended four hours per day, five days per week, for nine months
As a certified Addictions Counselor in a progressive non-profit organization, I worked with a particular client – one of many on anti-anxiety meds. antidepressants, and/or psychotropics – who had been on Ritalin for over 20 years. He also was co-dependent, diagnosed ‘ADD with hyperactivity disorder’ and had easy distractibility, loose association of thought, short attention span and was essentially unable to carry on an intelligent conversation.
Using amino acid therapy and some neurolinguistic programming [NLP] in his therapy, and with his help, I was able to get him completely off the Ritalin in about three months. My co-workers, as well as his psychiatrist, were amazed at how well he did getting off the Ritalin.
At time of discharge from treatment, my client was also now able to have an intelligent conversation with you. Granted, he could only last about ten minutes on a topic in a low-distraction environment, but that was a huge gain for him in terms of being able to do a better job of taking care of himself in all spheres of his life.
He did quite well in recovery despite his severe and chronic issues prior, however about a year and a half later while still active in his addiction recovery, unfortunately, he died of HIV/AIDS – a result of his lifestyle back when he was actively pursuing his addiction.
GABA is great for the destructive thinking patterns that often arise in early recovery and withdrawal from the addictive substances [and even helps with addictive behaviors as well] Of course these dysfunctional thinking patterns aren’t limited to just recovering addicts. Most people will experience them more than once in their lifetime, while others might experience them daily and understandably so with all of the crazy changes happening in our lives over the past 10 or more months.
I like putting GABA in my smoothies for a sustained effect [I drink a smoothie over a period of several hours to provide sustained nutrition when I know in advance that I may not be able to stop while I’m working to eat a meal during the day].
[back to the IOP aminos…]
I don’t remember the details at this time, but we used DLPA to increase endorphins, not DPA as there were some additional benefits from the l form for the addict, but we always gave l-methionine with it – again, I don’t recall the detail. There were other aminos we used too, as well as a good broad spectrum B vitamin with significant B3 [niacin, not niacinamide] adequate B6, and C [large doses] & its co-factors; flavonoids, rutin, hesperidin and quercetin.
I’m surprised at how many of these details I recall so easily [I’m 66]. Must be the Lion’s Mane mushroom I consume pretty much daily.
That’s probably enough for now. I’m feeling like I want to go dig out some dusty boxes of papers I have stacked in the closet in the spare bedroom about the Chronic Relapse IOP and take a look again at our dietary supplementation protocol.
To this day, I continue to use amino acids when needed, as well as medicinal, functional/culinary mushrooms for their natural substances that work so well for us. We share a lot of genetics, microbiome, biochemistry and who knows what else with mushrooms – more so than any other organism on earth! [e.g.: melanin from mushrooms such as shiitaké when consumed, can assist the body with energy production when the skin is subsequently exposed to natural sunlight* – similar to the body’s production of vitamin A from beta-carotene when exposed to natural sunlight.*
* without UV-blocking topical sunscreens
If this is too long for your blog you may edit it for brevity as long as context is maintained. Thank you.
Thanks for a very informative and great article Trudy!
Michael
That’s amazing that you used amino aid therapy in this addictions and alcoholism outpatient program late ’70s & early ’80s. You say you helped develop the program so now I’m curious who your mentor was and what was the the name of the program?
Your results with this particular patient were excellent (how sad that he died). I love the addition of NLP, B vitamins and antioxidants. Was there a dietary component too – no gluten, no sugar, no caffeine, eating for blood sugar stability and real whole food? And stress reduction – like yoga, meditation, nature, exercise etc?
DLPA does raise endorphins and also raises catecholamines (needed for motivation, focus) whereas DPA just raises endorphins.
The company was SOLUTIONS, Inc. – a 501(c) 3 non-profit. The program was called The Intensive Outpatient Program for Chronic Relapse. I wrote most of the grant to the State of Michigan and we received $250,000 to run a nine-month pilot program.
Unfortunately there was no longevity to the program despite achieving excellent and unprecedented results. The political climate in Michigan changed and the Office of Substance Abuse Services was absorbed by Public Health resulting in catastrophic changes in funding for programs.
The education/experiential curriculum for clients also included nutrition, guided visualization, relaxation and stress management techniques.
I believe many of the clients also had sugar and caffeine addictions from 12 Step Recovery programs where that stuff flowed like water. Remember this was in the late ’70s/early ’80s.
Not sure what you’re asking in inquiring about my mentor.
Michael
Thanks for sharing this additional information – what a pity it was not continued.
The mentor question was wanting to know who you learned this addiction approach from as it would have been cutting edge in the late ’70s & early ’80s
Hi Trudy
I have followed your blogs and summits for several years. I recently decided I would definitely try GABBA and tryptophan. I live NZ where it seems the government won’t allow GABBA to be sold. I ordered some from overseas but that hasnt arrived-probably stopped at the boarder. Do you have any ideas how to get round this?? There area few sleep
Supplements available which contain small amounts of GABBA but not much. Luckily we can buy tryptophan here and I think it is helping me already! But I know I need that GABBA thanks
Linda
I believe the rules in Australia and New Zealand are very similar. In Australia GABA is available by prescription and via practitioners. I know Bioceuticals makes a GABA powder that can be dispensed by practitioners in Australia so that may be an option in New Zealand too. Also GABA is available in bulk from sports nutrition stores in Australia and may also be in New Zealand. Other options include taurine or theanine.
May I ask which tryptophan product you were able to purchase there?
Thank you Trudy for sharing additional information about GABA and its possible gut protection. Very interesting!
He continues to do well with the PharmaGABA by Natural Factors as far as the physical tension and it helping him “wind down” when he gets those tense feelings. I am listening closely to some of the challenges he continues to face during this pretty radical “life transition”. He lives on his own but thankfully checks in with us often and we see him probably two or three times a week. I am suspect that there is a need for additional Aminos to help support his momentum with GABA.
I purchased L-Tryptophan capsules by Source Naturals 500mg. I haven’t suggested it to him yet. I’m thinking he has low-serotonin according to symptoms like negative thoughts, sometimes disturbed sleep, digestive issues, ruminating thoughts especially when it comes to health and “now what” as life continues in these highly unpredictable times we are all facing in 2020. He is looking for a new career path professionally, which adds to his stress, and may have to sell his house if that piece to the puzzle doesn’t present itself soon.
He has increased his exercise quite a lot in the past two months. Added running to his three times a day walking with his dogs. He knows too much exercise isn’t good either due to high cortisol but he loves to be outside when the weather permits. He is also changing his diet for the better and doubled his Omega 3s and Vitamin D3 intake, along with a multiple vitamin.
I am hesitant to have him try anything else because I have heard some people don’t have the best reactions to Tryptophan… but then so many do get help using it along with GABA. The GABA has helped for sure and came at such a good time for him so thanks again for all your help with that and all you do for this community!
Mary Beth
So glad to hear he continues to do well. With all the changes he has made and since he’s had such good results with GABA I would encourage you to point him to the questionnaire and my book so he can be more empowered and in control when it comes to next steps.
I’m not sure what you’ve heard in terms of less than ideal reactions to tryptophan but I can share that if someone has low serotonin symptoms tryptophan can also be life-changing. A few things to consider – Lidtke Tryptophan is is superior Source Naturals Tryptophan. Also some people do better on 5-HTP and some do better with tryptophan.
I have an inherited condition called cervical dystonia: shakey hands and head. Then anxiety immediately follows the inability to control my body. GABA helps with the shakiness and consequently the physical anxiety, but GABA also makes me feel “weird”, a numb fullness in my head. I have tried several different brands and strengths, but they all do the same thing. I use Tryptophan to help with sleep. I eat a very healthy organic low sugar diet and avoid caffeine. Any suggestions?
Rita
It’s good to hear GABA helps with the shakiness and physical anxiety. Too much GABA can make you feel weird so it may be simply finding the right balance and using less so you get the benefits and no adverse effects. I’m curious which brands and strengths you have tried?
You may find these blog posts helpful
https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/essential-tremor-dystonia-anxiety-and-cravings-diet-gaba-tryptophan-zinc-and-vitamin-b6/
and
https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/pyroluria-focal-musicians-dystonia/