This question was posted on one of the GABA blog posts by Fran, asking about about using GABA for insomnia shortly after having tapered a benzodiazepine she had used for 15 years:
I am a senior who took benzodiazepines (clonazepam) on advice of my doctor for sleep because of chronic fatigue for 15 years. Last year I weaned myself off the medication and it has been just over 10 months. No one tells you that when you stop taking them you go into a rebound insomnia phase and it can last a long time. The doctor still won’t admit that!
I joined benzo buddies, a group I found out about on your site and found much encouragement from the posts of many brave and determined people. One post mentioned that the drug actually overrides your GABA receptors so when you stop taking it they have to heal to become active again. My question is: Will taking GABA or any other natural supplement interfere with that healing. The writer of the post feels taking nothing is best for the brain to return to normal and that only time will do that.
I said I was sorry to hear about her struggles with her benzodiazepine prescription. Sadly it’s all too common and it’s seldom that folks are cautioned about the rebound insomnia and other issues seen with benzodiazepines.
I love benzo buddies and other benzo support groups and often recommend that clients join one of these groups for the community support aspect. I am really happy that Fran found encouragement.
However, I respectfully disagree with their message that GABA supplements or other supplements should not be used and that you should just wait for time to heal. We want to use everything at our disposal in order to heal as quickly as possible. And quality sleep is imperative for healing.
Also many of the most severely affected folks are part of these support groups, so it may well be all that they know, hence the advice they dispense.
Many do get relief with GABA during and post benzo taper and it won’t affect long-term healing (with a very low dose)
It is true that GABA receptors can be affected by benzodiazepines but despite this, many of my clients and others in my community do get relief from GABA during this period. Since we are all unique, some folks may have an issue, so we always do a trial with GABA if someone has rebound insomnia (and other low GABA symptoms of physical tension/anxiety, stiff and tense muscles, stress eating etc).
When someone can’t tolerate GABA they will know very quickly – typically in 1-2 days. If you can’t tolerate GABA it may feel the same as someone who takes GABA and doesn’t need it (i.e. GABA isn’t low) or when someone takes too much. This could make you feel light-headed, dizzy, feel a flush and/or feel too tired. You may even feel more anxious. Vitamin C is a wonderful antidote to all this and these short-term adverse reactions won’t interfere with long-term healing.
We also start with a very small dose – I typically have someone start with 25mg GABA and go up from there – and only use sublingual GABA. For some very sensitive folks we will start even lower as in this example where Syd gets sleep and body anxiety benefits with just 1.5 mg to 3 mg GABA.
Other nutrients that may also help with insomnia
We may also use other nutrients to help with sleep support and rebound anxiety (which is also common) and other symptoms, all based on each person’s unique needs. These may include tryptophan or 5-HTP if serotonin is also low (this can affect sleep and cause worry/ruminating type anxiety), melatonin if that is low (either sublingual or timed-release) and Seriphos if cortisol is high too. We may also combine GABA with theanine (research shows the combination may help some folks).
A full functional medicine and nutritional workup is recommended in order to be as nutritionally stable as possible. Ideally this happens before tapering starts but even if it’s done after the fact it can help with healing and symptom relief. Addressing histamine imbalances is one factor to consider as this can impact sleep (more on that below).
This is an important question that many folks ask so I appreciate her asking so I could share it as a blog post for others in a similar situation.
I am waiting to hear back about what happened when she did use GABA and how much she used. She mentioned that she did take GABA for a time at first but it only worked for a while. I find that during the taper and post taper, GABA needs can fluctuate as healing starts to take place. I have clients adjust up and down as needed.
More on benzodiazepine withdrawal and histamine issues
These medications have the most debilitating withdrawal reactions in all of medicine and Valium blocks DAO/impacts histamine levels:
Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Valium, Librium, and others) as well as Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta and others), which are similar, have the most debilitating withdrawal reactions in all of medicine.
This happens in regular, everyday people who are taking the medications exactly as their doctor prescribed. It also happens to people on what they think are “low doses” and is not just a “high dose” problem.
Many people doing a benzodiazepine taper are often switched to Valium which is a DAO [diamine oxidase blocker (or histamine liberator)] and this further prevents histamine from being removed from the body [and can lead to increased anxiety].
Dyes are also triggers…the pink Xanax can be problematic.
GABA is as effective as benzodiazepines (which should only be prescribed for short-term use)
Many folks who have used benzos in the past, find GABA to be as effective. Another woman in my community, Dee, shared that she had taken Xanax in the past for panic attacks and her functional medicine doctor suggested GABA Calm as she wanted a natural product. This is her encouraging feedback: “I was amazed how it works just like the Xanax did – instant calm feeling within 10 mins of taking 2 capsules. I use them as needed when I am having heightened stress and anxiety.”
Ideally we want to use GABA instead of one of the benzodiazepines – which are all too commonly prescribed for anxiety, insomnia and pain – in order to avoid tolerance issues, dependence and withdrawal/tapering issues. The fact that they are used long term – like 15 years for Fran – further compounds the issues. Even a few months can be problematic for some folks. It’s important to be aware that this class of medication is intended for short-term use i.e. 2-4 weeks only.
Resources if you are new to using the GABA and other amino acids as supplements
If you are new to using GABA and any of other the 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).
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.
Have you used GABA with success while tapering a benzodiazepine or shortly after tapering is complete?
Have you used other nutrients to help while tapering or post taper? If yes, which ones?
Did you find that GABA was not helpful? (which product and how much did you use?)
If you have questions please share them here too.
Hi Trudy, can you tell me if taking GABA while on SNRI’s is safe? ( cymbalta)I do not believe in medications unless necessary. My son had a heavy marijuana addiction to calm his stress and this has been what has helped my sons depression while not smoking. I was also giving him GABA along with many nutrients to help him but it didnt completely help. He has pernicious anemia and homozygous c67…MTHFR which causes issues with anxiety. I am a naturopath and would really like your input on this as I plan on weening him off as soon as able.
Thank you,
Jenny
Jenny
I’m not aware of any issues with taking GABA while on SNRIs. Be sure to read my book The Antianxiety Food Solution https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ I’m sure you’re already doing this but I have I have all my clients get nutritionally stable before we discuss tapering with their doctor.
You may also find my practitioner training helpful and the FB group useful for questions and discussions. https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/balancingneurotransmitters/
Can I use GABA while trying to reduce my antidepressant (Effexor)?
Julie
There is no documented evidence of issues but it has not been researched). Effexor does “effect changes in GABA levels” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16075286/ so this needs to be considered.
It’s best to always discuss with the prescribing doctor and/or pharmacist, and be monitored.
My online GABA Quickstart group program is helpful when you have questions and need guidance (and moral support/encouragement). More here about the program and purchase info https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/
I did take gaba with Ltheanine in the beginning (NFH) 300 mg gaba and 150 mg Ltheanine. It helped for a short time but then I couldn’t sleep at all for a few days, maybe too high a dose.
Fran
I would suspect too high a dose when this happens. As mentioned in the article we start with a very small dose. And this: “I find that during the taper and post taper, GABA needs can fluctuate as healing starts to take place. I have clients adjust up and down as needed.”
Please keep us posted and thanks for asking the question. It was very helpful to be able to share.
My online GABA Quickstart group program is helpful when you have questions and need guidance (and moral support/encouragement). More here about the program and purchase info https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/
HI Trudy,
I overstimulated gaba receptors after about 6 months of 3-4 mg per night benzo use, now extremely complicated with rebound insomnia, with a brief history. What is the format for submitting a couple questions in a more complete way? Thank you, Terry
Terry
Feel free to post questions here
Hi Trudy,
I tapered off clonazepam from 1mg to 0.5mg. For some reason after about 4 months I got severe anxiety that can end up in panic attacks. I just learned from you that I can take GABA, so I am taking about 1,200mg mid morning and 1,200mg in the afternoon. I get calmer but still have anxiety left, can I increase the dosages? Would it be too much?
Thank you, Sonia
Sonia
Tapering benzos often leads to increased anxiety and panic attacks and GABA does help. Some folks do need high doses during times like this. Using GABA sublingually allows lower amounts to be used with better results.
My online GABA Quickstart group program is helpful when you have questions related to GABA and need guidance (and moral support/encouragement). More here about the program and purchase info https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/
Tapering is much more effective when all the dietary changes have been made. My book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place for the foundations and has a chapter on the amino acids with dosing/timing information. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Hi Trudy –
I came across your site while researching supplements, have read quite a few blog posts and just bought the Kindle version of your book. I am currently tapering Ativan after being on 2 mg for 2 weeks – without information or informed consent by my seriously uninformed PCP who has been no help. It continues to be a nightmare of constant nausea and waves of anxiety. My chemist husband put the schedule in a spreadsheet and tonight I’ll be on the 4th night of 0.25. I do ~150 mg. of Valerian every hour from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and L-theanine in the early evening. I am also dealing with gut dysbiosis from long-haul covid and am trying to get my gut biome restored with Bifido and other probiotics – I have been nauseous without an appetite for MONTHS, and avoid sugar and caffeine, so no cravings here! I take 5-HTP and found your post about “wired but tired” comparing it with tryptophan very interesting. My pharmacist menopausal clinician has always said 5-HTP is better, but I have experienced the over-stimulation response. I’ve amassed quite the collection of amino acids to try but throwing things at the wall until they stick is not a good approach, so I’m hoping for insights in your book. We bought GABA Calm the other day but I didn’t find it helped and I fit more in the low serotonin category than the low GABA one. Thank you for your very informative website!
Sue
Wishing you much success as you navigate your healing journey. Please do keep us posted on progress.
Thank you for the reply, Trudy! BTW, one of my mom’s 4-H House “sisters” was named Trudy. I think I’ve only met one other person with that name.
I finished chapter 7 of your book today, so I’m moving right along.
Last night was the first night I did not do Ativan even the 0.13 dose. I am using the alternating GABA Calm/Tryptophan and 5-HTP protocols. I did 500 Tryptophan last night at 10, slept till 3, did another 500, slept till 6, did 50 mg 5-HTP with breakfast and 1/2 GABA Calm later and before an EMDR session. The 500 Tryptophan gave me about a 2 hour nap this afternoon which was awesome as I’ve not been able to nap for months. I’ve had almost no nausea today, but still no appetite. Anxiety always rears its head around sundown (not that we had sun today in the Great Lakes permacloud) so I’ve done a quarter GABA Calm and may do Valerian for the first time as the evening progresses. BTW, I’m an HSP (highly-sensitive person – Elaine Aron’s work) so am very sensitive to medication. This is why it was so irresponsible for the PCP to give me no other option but a benzo and then prescribe the dose she did with zero information. Need to work through all that anger before I see her again.
Well, I obviously spoke too soon as last night was pure panic after about 4 a.m. and I was awake at 3. We spent some time at the benzo UK site – too bad it’s not been updated since 2013 – and were not encouraged at how long I am going to continue to feel like crap. Since I’ve been experiencing paradoxical effects for awhile and it doesn’t always help me sleep, we decided at 0.13 with a half-life getting me almost to zero, we could quit. Right now, it appears I’ll be “going on vacation” in this perpetual flu-like, anxious state in two days.
I would appreciate any feedback or links to article posts!
My doctor of psychiatry prescribed Klonopin for anxiety after the death of a sibling. It was 25 years ago when, in fairness, I don’t think practitioners were aware of how harmful benzos are. I never took more than 1 mg and for a long time now on .5, which really is a non therapeutic dose, it’s simply feeding an addiction to keep me somewhat stable. I find that there are triggers which will make withdrawal worse. Significant loss, change of job, change of living situation and/or relocation, divorce, death in family, financial stress, etc. If these situations I describe are present, how will we know whether it is the circumstances or the actual Benzo withdrawal causing the increase in insomnia/anxiety/depression? is it just trial and error to see if GABA helps with both addiction to Benz and the undesirable circumstances? I’d love to function like a human again.
Ellie
It can be challenging to unwind benzo effects vs life events. And yes it’s trial and error and adjusting the nutritional support – GABA and/or tryptophan and/or melatonin etc – as things shift. Have hope – it’s very doable!