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GABA Quickstart

Her cravings for chips and peanut butter were triggered by stress: GABA ends cravings and reduces physical tension and fear of heights

By Trudy Scott Leave a Comment

cravings and gaba

JLs cravings for chips and peanut butter were triggered by stress. When using a GABA product that works best for her needs and with the correct doses and timing, she had zero cravings, with less physical tension, less fear of heights & reduced spinning:

Over the course of 5 weeks of using GABA, my physical tension, fear of heights and spinning were all reduced dramatically (physical tension went from 10/10 to 6/10, fear of heights from 8/10 to 3/10 and spinning from 8/10 to 3/10).

I was very happy that my cravings were completely gone using GABA (from 10/10 to 1/10).

Stress triggers me searching for something to eat. I had been following a low sugar diet already but with GABA I no longer needed chips or peanut butter around 4pm and I feel less stressed. ~ JL

I never get tired of feedback like this and I’m thrilled for her!

Read on to learn why she joined the program and what supplement changes she made; and why the initial GABA trial, and tracking sheet with symptom rating is very empowering.  Discover more about using GABA to reduce/end stress-eating;  how a fear of heights due to low GABA levels (and sometimes low serotonin too); and using a GABA cream and other approaches to reduce back and neck tension. You’ll also find additional resources if you need guidance using amino acids like tryptophan/5-HTP and GABA/theanine (and more about the program this woman did to get results like this for herself).

Why did she join the program and what supplement changes did she make?

This woman had been using a GABA/theanine product with no success when she joined the GABA QuickStart program but she took action anyway:

I joined because I wanted to see if it could help ease the physical stress in my shoulders, upper back and neck.

With Trudy’s help I learned how to do a trial and I was happy to feel some effect during the initial trial.

Because she switched to a different GABA-only product, used as a powder, she had zero cravings, got relief for physical stress and these other amazing results – over the next 5 weeks! And she got these results by making various adjustments to her GABA timing and dosing.

I’m thrilled for her and everyone who gives up on GABA and then decides to learn how to effectively and safely use it …and then experiences results like this.

The initial GABA trial, and tracking sheet with symptom rating is very empowering

In case you’re curious, in the program I teach participants how to do an initial one off trial to determine if the GABA product they’ve decided to use is worth trialing to find the ideal dose for your needs. JL mentions that she did feel some benefits during the initial trial.

You’ll also notice she mentions numerical changes in her symptoms i.e. “fear of heights from 8/10 to 3/10” and cravings “from 10/10 to 1/10.” The low GABA symptoms on their tracking sheets are rated on a scale of 1/10 with 10 being more severe. For someone to see their daily and weekly progression improve so much is very empowering and motivating. And it makes it easy to stick with the protocol. It’s also something they can refer back to in the future if they need to add GABA back.

Keep in mind, participants often do more than one initial trial, depending on their results and how many different GABA products they may end up needing.

The blog could have had this in the title “the right GABA product ends her cravings.”

It’s not unusual for GABA to reduce/end stress-eating and cravings

A mom in the community, Calle, shared how GABA helped her teenage ASD son sleep for the first time in years and reduced his cravings:

Our son has also really noticed a difference in his carb cravings since doing GABA. He went to grandma’s house and was not tempted by 6 pies, tons of cookies, sweet rolls etc. We were both shocked. This is a kid who would mow through tons of cookies, rolls and pastries.

Keep in mind that each of the neurotransmitter imbalances can lead to cravings so it’s a matter of figuring out which one is the culprit. It can be more than one too, and doing the trial and tracking (based on symptoms) will confirm

We use this symptoms questionnaire as a starting point.

A fear of heights due to low GABA levels (and sometimes low serotonin too)

As you can see from the low GABA symptoms on the above symptoms questionnaire, a fear of heights can be caused by low GABA. If it is, you’d expect GABA to reduce the fear when the optimal dose and timing is found.

I share one particular study in this blog post: Pharma-GABA: study participants with an irrational fear of heights are relaxed and less anxious when crossing a swaying suspension bridge

This paper refers to a pharmaGABA product which is not the same product as JL used but explains the mechanisms well.

JL shared that GABA reduced her “fear of heights from 8/10 to 3/10.” In order to get even better results she may need to:

  • Increase the dose or timing of the GABA product she is using, possibly in the situation where she is exposed to heights (like going over a bridge) and/or
  • Layer in a different GABA product like pharmaGABA and/or
  • Explore if some of her residual fear is also driven by low serotonin (and that would be the next thing to address once GABA is optimized).

A GABA cream and other approaches to reduce back and neck tension

JL was looking to ease the physical stress in her shoulders, upper back and neck and reported that “physical tension went from 10/10 to 6/10.” This improvement is great and the addition of a GABA/theanine cream such as BeSerene, may be the next step for her.

I share more in this blog: BeSerene™ GABA/theanine cream eases severe muscle tension in her neck/shoulders, prevents her bad headaches and quells her anxiety

I love that Lisa shares this: “since the BeSerene™ cream works so efficiently on the muscle tension, it quells the anxiety that usually follows!” 

Looking into acupuncture, physical therapy, red light therapy, sauna and endorphin support with DPA (if there is also pain) are other approaches to consider.

Practical aspects of the GABA QuickStart program and the value

As shared by a GABA QuickStart participant a previous blog post:

The program is very well designed, very clear, and super easy to navigate and I loved the case studies. The tracking sheets are invaluable and the key to success with GABA!!

It can seem like a lot of money up front, but the gift of mental health is priceless!!

And honestly, Trudy has helped me and my daughter more than countless other practitioners, so in the end, it is actually very cost effective!!

(She also participated in the Serotonin QuickStart program and shared similar feedback).

Additional resources when you are new to using GABA or tryptophan as supplements

We use the symptoms questionnaire to figure out if low serotonin or low GABA or other neurotransmitter imbalances may be an issue for you.

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 (this is covered in an entire chapter too), sugar cravings, anxiety and mood issues. The importance of quality animal protein and healthy fats is also covered.

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.

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. Another option is the budget-friendly GABA QuickStart Homestudy Program.

Right now you can save $150 off the full price when you use promo/coupon code maymh150off. This 3 day special is for May Mental Health Awareness month and ends Monday June 1, 2026 at noon Pacific time. Click the image below to watch a GABA webinar and learn more.

If you need serotonin support, the Serotonin QuickStart Program is a good place to get help. This is also a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance on using tryptophan and 5-HTP safely, and community support during 5 LIVE Q&A calls. You can sign up to be notified when the next live launch of this program is happening.

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.

Wrapping up and your feedback

I’d love to hear how GABA has helped you …

Can you relate to seeing results like this with one of the many GABA products or even almost giving up and then getting relief?

Did adjusting the dose and timing make a big difference for you?

Has a topical GABA/theanine product helped you?

If you’ve completed the course material in the GABA Quickstart or Serotonin Quickstart programs feel free to share your results here so we can inspire others and give them hope.

Feel free to post your questions below.

It is truly miraculous to be able to move through life without crippling anxiety and panic

By Trudy Scott 4 Comments

gaba for anxiety

I feel like a different person since I have been taking GABA!  It is truly miraculous to be able to move through life without crippling anxiety and panic.

Last year at this time, before starting GABA, I was taking care of a dear friend with a serious medical condition.  I was filled with anxiety and panic all of the time as there were many 911 situations that happened. Now, a year later, my friend has once again been in a medical crisis, but this time I am taking GABA, so I am able to remain calm.

Before using GABA (and tryptophan) I had tried EMDR, meditation, acupuncture, homeopathy, etc.  Honestly, I thought that maybe I was just damaged from all of my childhood trauma, and I had to just live with intense anxiety.

I love hearing fabulous results like this from a recent GABA Quickstart program participant, and I am so happy for this woman and her daughter. I commend her for taking the time to really learn about how to safely and effectively use GABA for herself, then inspire her adult daughter and share her knowledge with her. She also proudly shares this:

My daughter has also been transformed through taking GABA!!  She has suffered from relentless anxiety since she was a teenager, and this is the first thing that has helped her, despite seeing every type of holistic practitioner that exists.

Read on to learn specifically how GABA helps her daughter feel calm and happy during a job interview and how it also helps reduce her symptoms of PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). I also share more about the GABA/progesterone and serotonin/estrogen connections in PMDD. And my insights on using GABA when caretaking, even when you think you’ve tried everything and have childhood trauma. You’ll also find additional resources if you need guidance using amino acids like tryptophan/5-HTP and GABA/theanine (and more about the program this woman did to get results like this for herself and her daughter).

Panic and anxiety in the interview to confident, calm, and joyful in her new job

This woman goes on to share just how much GABA has helped:

An amazing thing happened: She has been interviewing for a new job for quite a while now, but never getting them. However, at her first interview since being on GABA, she reported to me that instead of feeling filled with panic and anxiety during the interview, she felt calm and happy. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that she got the job!!

And thanks to GABA and tryptophan, she feels confident, calm, and joyful while learning her new role.

This is what every anxious job applicant needs and deserves, especially when relentless anxiety has been such a big part of her teens.

I will add that she didn’t start GABA and tryptophan at the same time. Her mom had her start with a tryptophan trial (for her worry and ruminations and other low serotonin symptoms) and find her ideal dose for her unique needs. And then trial GABA(for her physical tension and panic attacks) and find the ideal dose of GABA. It’s what I recommend and mom participated in both the Serotonin Quickstart and GABA Quickstart programs, and then she helped her daughter.

GABA and tryptophan help with hormonal imbalances, including PMDD

Mom shares more about the GABA benefits her daughter experienced:

GABA has also really helped her with severe PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).  She is now filled with joy and calmness, instead of crying endlessly and being filled with panic.

This is to be expected given the GABA/progesterone connection. This 2023 paper, GABA-ergic Modulators: New Therapeutic Approaches to Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, the authors describe PMDD as follows: “the predictable onset of mood and physical symptoms secondary to gonadal steroid fluctuation during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle” i.e. symptoms in the second half of the cycle caused by sex hormone shifts.

The authors state that “the interaction between allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid derivative of progesterone, and the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system represents an important relationship underlying symptom genesis in reproductive-related mood disorders, including PMDD.”

The missing piece in the above paper is the recommendation to actually use GABA (the paper focuses on medications instead).

As mentioned above she was also using tryptophan which very likely contributed to her symptom relief given the serotonin/estrogen connection. I share a study and more about this in this blog post – Tryptophan for PMS: premenstrual dysphoria, mood swings, tension, and irritability

GABA is calming when caretaking, even when you’ve tried everything and have childhood trauma

I’d like to swing back and comment on S. M.’s results and acknowledge her for being proactive in taking care of her mental health right after the stress of being a carer for her dear friend. It worked out in the end for both of them too – she was much calmer when her dear friend was ill yet again.

She also really believed she had tried everything. I hear this all the time and it breaks my heart when anxious folks stop seeking a solution without learning about how to safely and effectively use GABA. Too many folks don’t know about it or use it incorrectly and then stop. This is one big reason I love to share success stories like this, and I appreciate S. M. for allowing me to share hers and her daughter’s success.

Finally, GABA even helps when there is other childhood trauma (or other trauma) and you never just have to live with intense anxiety. The research  supports this: “Dysregulation in GABA may be a neurobiological marker and/or potential treatment target for women with PTSD symptom profiles” and so do the clinical results.

I’m not suggesting to only use GABA, instead doing both the trauma work and addressing neurochemistry and other nutritional imbalances.

Practical aspects of the GABA Quickstart program and the value

As I mentioned above, S.M. is a past participant of the GABA Quickstart program and she shared these practical aspects and how valuable it was:

The program is very well designed, very clear, and super easy to navigate and I loved the case studies. The tracking sheets are invaluable and the key to success with GABA!!

It can seem like a lot of money up front, but the gift of mental health is priceless!!

And honestly, Trudy has helped me and my daughter more than countless other practitioners, so in the end, it is actually very cost effective!!

(She also participated in the Serotonin Quickstart program and shared similar feedback).

Additional resources when you are new to using GABA or tryptophan as supplements

We use the symptoms questionnaire to figure out if low serotonin or low GABA or other neurotransmitter imbalances may be an issue for you.

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 (this is covered in an entire chapter too), sugar cravings, anxiety and mood issues. The importance of quality animal protein and healthy fats is also covered.

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.

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. Another option is the budget-friendly GABA QuickStart Homestudy Program.

If you need serotonin support, the Serotonin QuickStart Program is a good place to get help. This is also a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance on using tryptophan and 5-HTP safely, and community support during 5 LIVE Q&A calls. You can sign up to be notified when the next live launch of this program is happening.

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.

Wrapping up and your feedback

I’d love to hear how GABA has helped you and if your success has motivated and inspired a loved one such as an adult daughter or son to use it too?

Has GABA helped you or a loved one do well in a job interview and the first job?

What about tryptophan or 5-HTP?

Had you tried everything with no success and expected to just live with intense anxiety?

Were you aware of the GABA connections to PMDD and trauma?

Finally, if you’ve completed the course material in the GABA Quickstart or Serotonin Quickstart programs feel free to share your results here so we can inspire others and give them hope.

Feel free to post your questions below.

What do I use instead of Seriphos to help lower high cortisol that is affecting my sleep and making me anxious at night?

By Trudy Scott 29 Comments

seriphos alternative

Seriphos, a phosphorylated serine supplement that I rate highly and have personally used with success, is not available right now. I’ve had a number of people reaching out frantically asking for help:

What do I use instead of Seriphos to help lower high cortisol that is affecting my sleep and making me anxious at night?

It’s my top product for addressing high cortisol at night and I’ve been recommending it for years for this purpose (as did one of my mentors, Julia Ross). It’s extremely effective when used a few hours before high cortisol (as measured on a salivary cortisol test).  It also starts to work within about a week for most individuals.

Unfortunately Seriphos has been unavailable for a number of months. The company has no information on when it will be available again but have assured me via email that the formulation will be the same. This is really good news after a previous debacle when the formulation changed in 2016/2017.

Until then, there are some other options that may be an effective alternative. And even if you still have some Seriphos in your calming/sleep stash I encourage you to pay attention as it’s important to have a backup plan for situations like this!

Read on below for information on phosphatidylserine, the cortisol/stress research and how it compares to phosphorylated serine; which phosphatidylserine products to consider instead of Seriphos; other options for lowering high cortisol levels (such as Cortisol Manager, Relora® lactium and bergamot); the amino acid theanine for neurotransmitter support and high cortisol; and additional resources when you are new to amino acids.

What is phosphatidylserine and how does it compare to phosphorylated serine?

From this 2023 paper, Phosphatidylserine: An overview on functionality, processing techniques, patents, and prospects

Phosphatidylserine is the part of cell structure in the body and has many beneficial functions especially in brain-related aging diseases.

Supplementation has been reported to show improved memory and cognition (including ADHD and Alzheimer’ s disease), and also better exercise performance. The research also shows benefits when it comes to lowering cortisol levels and feeling less stressed:

  • One study reported 300 mg/day for 1 month was “associated with feeling less stressed and having better mood in a sub-group of healthy young males.”
  • And another study using a moderate dose of 600 mg/day promoted “a desired hormonal balance for athletes by blunting increases in cortisol levels”, suggesting that phosphatidylserine “partly counteracts the stress-induced activation of the hypothalamopituitary-adrenal axis.”
  • One additional study reported that 800 mg/day for 10 days lowered “plasma cortisol concentrations in healthy inactive males”

As you can see the range of doses varies (which makes sense since we are all unique) but it has been established as a “safe oral supplement capable of attenuating the serum cortisol and creatine kinase responses to acute exercise stress.”

“Lower daily doses (<500 mg/day) for longer duration” are recommended for ongoing cognitive benefits. One study reported improvements in “behavioral and cognitive functions in a group of geriatric patients with cognitive impairment” who used 300 mg/day for 6 months.

Seriphos is unique in that it is a phosphorylated serine product – this is where the magic happens when it comes to lowering cortisol so well. It is similar to phosphatidylserine but as far as I am aware, there is no actual research on phosphorylated serine. They quote studies on phosphatidylserine on their site.

Which phosphatidylserine products to consider instead of Seriphos?

Here are two excellent professional grade phosphatidylserine products to consider. It may be a matter of trial and error to find what works well for your needs, plus adjusting the dose up as necessary.

  • Designs for Health PS 150 – Phosphatidylserine 150 mg: non-soy, sunflower sourced phosphatidyl serine with one capsule providing 150mg, so using a higher dose may be more effective:
    • Feedback from a colleague: “We have equally good results with phosphatidyl serine, but the dose usually needs to be in the 300-500mg range, to equate to what 1 or 2 Seriphos capsules could do.”
    • Feedback from another colleague: “We started using PS150 from DFH and love it.” He often uses this in conjunction with another Designs for Health product called Catecholacalm.
  • Designs for Health Phosphatidylserine Powder 200mg: One quarter teaspoon provides 200mg phosphatidylserine in a powder form.
    • This one is made from soy (GMO-free) but may be easier to use to get higher doses. Per their site the powder is an “excellent delivery system for children and the elderly who may have difficulty swallowing capsules; it has virtually no taste and will dissolve into applesauce or any food.”

Other options for lowering high cortisol levels: Cortisol Manager, Relora® lactium and bergamot

  • Cortisol Manager by Integrative Therapeutics – 2 capsules contain a proprietary blend of: ashwagandha (Sensoril®), L-Theanine, plus a blend of Magnolia (Magnolia officinalis) and 100mg of phosphatidylserine (soy free). I have seen mixed results with this product:
    • A colleague shared this: “Cortisol Manager can be dosed up to 2-3 tablets per day and used with or without additional phosphatidyl serine which can easily go as high as 600 mg.” He has seen salivary cortisol levels shift with this approach and shared: “Interestingly, I never saw those changes with Seriphos despite being a heavy user between 2009 and 2011 so I thought it was just hype.”
    • Feedback from someone on my blog: “Cortisol Manager was too stimulating with the Ashwagandha”
    • Feedback from a practitioner who first used Cortisol Manager personally and then switched to Seriphos at my recommendation: “Cortisol Manager did nothing for me. I dosed it high enough and took it for a month – but I felt nothing. Seriphos, on the other hand, worked the same night, within an hour or two.”
  • Relora®, a proprietary blend of Magnolia officinalis bark extract and Phellodendron amurense bark extract
  • Biotics Research De-stress, contains Lactium®, also known as hydrolyzed casein.
    • I have used this product with clients with good results and based on the research it lowers high cortisol. It’s also calming because it works on the GABAA receptor.
    • You’ll also see Lactium® referred to as alpha-s1 casein hydrolysate, hydrolyzed casein concentrate, and tryptic hydrolysate from bovine milk alphaS1-casein. More on this blog
  • There is very promising research on essential oils lowering cortisol levels – such as bergamot. In this blog I share an animal study that shows very promising results: Acute effects of bergamot oil on anxiety-related behaviour and corticosterone level in rats

both bergamot essential oil and diazepam exhibited anxiolytic-like behaviours and attenuated HPA axis activity by reducing the corticosterone response to stress

The amino acid theanine for neurotransmitter support and high cortisol

Theanine is a calming amino acid that supports low GABA, low serotonin and low dopamine, and has been shown to help with stress levels when salivary cortisol is high.

A 2021 study, A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study to Investigate the Efficacy of a Single Dose of AlphaWave® l-Theanine on Stress in a Healthy Adult Population, 200 mg of AlphaWave® l-Theanine was shown reduce “salivary cortisol in healthy, moderately stressed adults” and increase frontal region alpha wave activity.This was “indicative of relaxation in the brain and suggest a calming response.”

The authors conclude as follows:

Four weeks of supplementation with 200 mg of l-theanine has been shown to improve trait anxiety scores, suggesting that continued supplementation with AlphaWave® l-Theanine may have positive effects on trait anxiety as well, which may be an important application in longer-term stress management.

As you may already know, I am a proponent of long-term stress management with individual amino acids such as GABA, theanine and tryptophan/5-HTP. And the more I learn about the benefits and mechanisms of theanine the more excited I get!

Additional resources when you are new to using theanine, GABA or other amino acids as supplements

We use the symptoms questionnaire to figure out if low GABA (indicating a possible need for GABA or theanine) or low serotonin (indicating a need for tryptophan or 5-HTP) or low endorphins (indicating a possible need for DPA) or low dopamine (a need for tyrosine) other neurotransmitter imbalances may be an issue for you.

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 importance of quality animal protein and healthy fats is also covered.

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.

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. We’ll be launching a budget-friendly homestudy version in a few weeks – sign up for the wait list here (the live version with Q&A is offered only a few times a year). The amino acids GABA and theanine are covered.

If you also need serotonin support, the Serotonin QuickStart Program is a good place to get help. This is also a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance on using tryptophan and 5-HTP safely, and community support during 5 LIVE Q&A calls. You can sign up to be notified when the next live launch of this program is happening.

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.

Now I’d love to hear from you …

Have you used Seriphos with success in the past for lowering high cortisol and helping with sleep and middle of the night surges or adrenalin-type anxiety and panic?

Have you had success with any of the Designs For Health or other phosphatidylserine products? How much did you need to use to get results?

What about Cortisol Manager, essential oils, Relora or lactium? Or something else?

Do you also use theanine with success? And if yes, how much helps you?

Feel free to post your questions here too.

BeSerene™ GABA/theanine cream eases severe muscle tension in her neck/shoulders, prevents her bad headaches and quells her anxiety

By Trudy Scott 9 Comments

beserene

Hi there… I wanted to add my ‘two cents’ to the discussion about the BeSerene™ GABA/theanine product that you recommend. I LOVE it! I suffer from low GABA levels, which result in my having severe muscle tension in my neck and shoulders. Often, that resulted in bad muscle tension headaches, for which I couldn’t find anything to bring relief. The BeSerene™ GABA/theanine cream has been a real game changer.

If I wake up with one of those headaches in the middle of the night or in the morning, I use two pumps and rub it on my tight neck and shoulder muscles and within 15 minutes, I can feel the tension melting away! It literally goes away! I have  even been able to prevent a headache from occurring by using it on my neck muscles before I go to bed at night.

Insofar as anxiety, I get relief from that as well, because generally I start to get anxiety once the headaches start, as I never know if it is going to be manageable with just an ibuprofen or two, or if it is going to be one of ‘those’ headaches, i.e. a migraine that lasts for a day or more! Unfortunately, once the anxiety starts, it makes the muscle tension headache worse, which makes the anxiety worse, and it’s just a horrible vicious cycle!

So, since the BeSerene™ cream works so efficiently on the muscle tension, it quells the anxiety that usually follows!

It has changed my life, and I don’t know of any other product I can say that about. I can honestly say that I will not allow myself to ever be without it now!

Thank you so much Trudy, for recommending this product!

Lisa is a woman in the community who reached out to me via email with this message raving about how life-changing this cream has been for her. I am thrilled for her and never get tired of hearing results like this. I’m not surprised either and love to share these kinds of results! She kindly gave me permission to share, saying “I want others to experience what I have with this product!”

Read on below for more about why she gravitated towards using a cream, other benefits you may expect to see (like a reduction in stress-eating and/or drinking too much wine), my insights into when to consider using a GABA/theanine cream like this and how to use it, where to purchase this exact cream and additional resources if you are new to using GABA.

Why did Lisa gravitate to using a GABA/theanine cream?

Lisa shared that she just couldn’t seem to tolerate the sublingual or oral GABA:

I have tried sublingual GABA products but haven’t had much success, as I haven’t been able to find any without alcohol sugars (xylitol, sorbitol, etc.) Those ingredients give me a terrible taste in my mouth and I just can’t tolerate them. (Why can’t they make one with just real sugar from nature?)

Plus, I haven’t had a lot of success with the oral products as they just take too long to work on the headaches/muscle tension.

I’m really glad she recognized her symptoms were due to low GABA – muscle tension and pain, in conjunction with feeling physically anxious are common. And that she didn’t give up on GABA and persevered until she found what works for her symptoms.

What about other forms of GABA?

However, my advice for someone in Lisa’s situation is not to give up on other GABA products if she finds she needs additional support in the future or finds herself without the cream. With regards to taste and time to work, I recommend a GABA-only (or GABA/theanine) capsule opened on to the tongue or a GABA (and/or theanine) powder – both held on the tongue for 1-2 minutes for quick results.

Stress-eating and self-medication with wine are classic signs of low GABA

Interestingly, stress eating is not an issue for her but wine may be:

I’ve never really had any issues with stress-eating. In fact, I usually have no appetite when I’m stressed out! (That’s where the wine comes in…lol!)

We may self-medicate with wine when GABA is low because it relaxes us physically, helps us fit in socially and feels calming and pleasant. It’s mistakenly used to try and improve sleep but typically makes things worse.

Alcohol consumption damages the gut, depletes B vitamins (especially thiamine/vitamin B1) and zinc – and it’s addicting.

GABA can stop that addiction in its tracks so there are no feelings of deprivation. The reasons we are drawn to GABA are addressed too. And amazingly there is research that GABA may actually heal the gut after alcohol consumption.

Bumping up the GABA/theanine cream may help or considering one of the other GABA products mentioned above may be better.

Low GABA symptoms

As a reminder, if you are new to GABA, it’s an amino acid that helps to address low GABA levels and the associated symptoms: physical tension and feeling anxious, feeling worried or fearful, panic attacks, stiff or tense muscles, insomnia, feeling stressed and burned-out, craving carbs/alcohol for relaxation and calming, intrusive thoughts, spinning/poor focus, fear of heights, rectal spasms, burning mouth, and visceral pain/belly pain with IBS. See the most current list of low GABA symptoms here.

When to consider using a GABA/theanine cream like this?

These are some of the applications I consider

  • When other GABA products haven’t worked (like in Lisa’s situation)
  • When looking for something in addition to other GABA products, for example, GABA powder in the day while at work or play, and GABA/theanine cream at night for tension and sleep issues
  • When there is a specific need for a topical application – like with neck and shoulder tension or belly pain or period pain or leg spasms etc
  • For an aging parent with Alzheimer’s disease (and sundowning agitation/anxiety)
  • For a person with ARFID (avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder)
  • For a person with anorexia or other eating disorder
  • When a child or young adult has autism (with anxiety and sensorimotor issues), a child/adult who struggles with taking supplements and other special needs children/adults
  • For someone with multiple sclerosis (for anxiety and muscle spasms/spasticity)
  • When a person has severe digestive issues and prefers a cream
  • When someone just wants to take a break from sublingual/oral/powder GABA
  • For presurgery anxiety since supplements are typically not permitted (even though there is research showing both help)

Where to purchase BeSerene™ IR GABA and theanine cream and how to use it?

This cream can be purchased online with this link (this has my 15% discount built in – you’ll see the discount applied on the checkout page after you add it to the cart).

Purchase BeSerene™ IR

They recommend applying 1-2 pumps to your temples or wrists.

You could also use 1-2 pumps/squirts on your neck and shoulder (like Lisa did), the forearm or inner thigh (before bed for helping improve sleep), and/or belly (especially if belly pain or IBS/SIBO or PMS pain keeps you awake at night). It can also easily be applied if you wake in the night.

Personally, it’s a product I love at bedtime. I apply 2 pumps on my forearm and then rub my belly with any that is left over. It’s calming, improves my sleep and helps with belly pain at night.

I’m sure you can tell by now that this is a product I endorse. I recommend it to clients and to participants in my GABA Quickstart program. In fact, it’s one of the top ten GABA products I recommend and it’s even included in the training materials/handouts of the program!

Additional resources when you are new to using GABA or other amino acids as supplements

We use the symptoms questionnaire to figure out if low GABA (indicating a possible need for GABA or theanine) or low serotonin (indicating a need for tryptophan or 5-HTP) or low endorphins (indicating a possible need for DPA) or other neurotransmitter imbalances may be an issue for you.

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 importance of quality animal protein and healthy fats is also covered.

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.

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. We’ll be launching a budget-friendly homestudy version in a few weeks – sign up for the wait list here (the live version with Q&A is offered only a few times a year).

If you also need serotonin support, the Serotonin QuickStart Program is a good place to get help. This is also a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance on using tryptophan and 5-HTP safely, and community support during 5 LIVE Q&A calls. You can sign up to be notified when the next live launch of this program is happening.

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.

Now I’d love to hear from you…

I appreciate Lisa’s willingness to share her wonderful results. Now I’d love to hear from you.

Have you used BeSerene™ GABA and theanine cream and how has it helped you?

How does using a GABA/theanine cream compare with other GABA products you have used (feel free to share specific brands and how you used them – sublingual, capsule-opened, liposomal or powder or even another brand of GABA cream)?

As  I shared above, some folks prefer a cream only and many use a combination of cream and sublingual.

Feel free to post your questions here too.

The correlation between terrible anxiety/panic attacks and collagen

By Trudy Scott 14 Comments

collagen and anxiety

Bea shared her collagen experience and insights on one of the collagen blogs:

I discovered the correlation between terrible anxiety and collagen myself several years ago! Couldn’t find any data about it then so just assumed I was a weirdo. But then my 26 yr old daughter started having terrible panic attacks. And bam! She too had started a collagen supplement! So I realized at least 2 ladies have this trouble! Got me to think about how many women seek anti-aging help with collagen and then also end up on prescriptions to help calm terrible anxiety without seeing the connection. Practitioners don’t seem to know about this. But every vitamin shop I visit hears from me on the anxiety/collagen connection. Perhaps grassroots word of mouth will help others eventually.

And yesssss… for me, bone broth is equally horrible!! Even if it is simmered for only 30 mins.

Thank you for explaining, Trudy!! How fascinating to learn it’s the drop in serotonin! I’ve never tried Tryptophan… just a bit nervous. But I think it’s time. I sure need the bone broth for my waning gut health. And I’m weary of ruminating thoughts lately! Thank you immensely for shining a needed light on how these amino acids help! I only wish I could share lunch with you and pass along my grateful hug!

God bless you, Trudy!

I’m so glad Dea found this correlation for herself and her daughter! Collagen use is on the rise and there is little awareness about these effects on serotonin levels in susceptible individuals. Read on for many of the anti-aging benefits of collagen, more information about tryptophan depletion studies, another similar story, other possible causes, and other blog resources on this topic.

Collagen use as we age: for skin, joints and bone health

Her comment about an increase in collagen use for anti-aging is so true. This 2023 paper, Collagen supplementation in skin and orthopedic diseases: A review of the literature, discusses the many age-related benefits of collagen:

hydrolyzed collagen supplementation promotes skin changes, such as decreased wrinkle formation; increased skin elasticity; increased hydration; increased collagen content, density, and synthesis, which are factors closely associated with aging-related skin damage.

Regarding orthopedic changes, collagen supplementation increases bone strength, density, and mass; improves joint stiffness/mobility, and functionality; and reduces pain. These aspects are associated with bone loss due to aging and damage caused by strenuous physical activity.

This paper mentions these aspects about collagen, that it’s low in tryptophan and that it is not a complete protein i.e. it’s a low biological value protein:

  • Notably, collagen is a low-tryptophan protein, an essential amino acid for humans.
  • Collagen is a source of conditionally essential amino acids (glycine and proline), which are important in some physiological situations.
  • Collagen is a low biological value protein, since its amino acid composition is poor in essential amino acids. However, it has a positive intrinsic value because its amino acid composition is equivalent to that of human connective tissue.

This supports what we have learned from acute tryptophan depletion studies causing low serotonin.

Tryptophan-depletion studies to study the relationship between low serotonin and depression

Here is my first blog explaining acute tryptophan depletion studies (published in 2017) – Collagen and gelatin lower serotonin: does this increase your anxiety and depression?.

Tryptophan-depletion studies have been done for years, as a way to study the relationship between low serotonin and depression.  Often a tryptophan-deficient amino acid mixture is used for this purpose.  More recently, collagen and gelatin are being used.

Collagen and gelatin are an excellent source of these amino acids: proline, glycine, glutamine and arginine, but they do not contain the amino acid tryptophan.

This paper, Pharmacokinetics of acute tryptophan depletion using a gelatin-based protein in male and female Wistar rats summarizes what we find in a number of studies that use gelatin for the purpose of lowering serotonin levels, in order to study the relationship between serotonin and behavior:

The essential amino acid tryptophan is the precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin. By depleting the body of tryptophan, brain tryptophan and serotonin levels are temporarily reduced. In this paper, several experiments are described in which dose and treatment effects of acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) using a gelatin-based protein-carbohydrate mixture were studied in male and female Wistar rats.

I encourage you to read the above blog to learn about who may be more susceptible to these effects.

I also share my personal experience with collagen consumption and can totally relate to Bea’s story and what clients and those in my community have shared.

Toni used collagen for 8 months – anxiety and panic attacks are off the charts

Toni experienced something similar:

I’ve been using Organic collagen for about 8 months now… love the hair and skin results. My tummy felt better at first but not currently. My anxiety and panic attacks are off the charts: panic attacks, heart racing, sweating, brain fog. I want to escape – like fight or flight. Definitely obsessing and fears. Memory difficulty. I have an upcoming GI appointment to check for Candida /SIBO… but I had no idea this could add to my anxiety. I’ll be looking forward to more information, Seriously.

And a few weeks after stopping the collagen she shared this:

I stopped using collagen. Since then, my anxiety and panic have decreased by less than half. Mild in comparison. I’m definitely taking a long break.

Instead of stopping collagen altogether, my advice is to figure out if low serotonin is the cause and address this with tryptophan or 5-HTP so collagen can be used for its many anti-aging and health benefits.

Is their anxiety due to reduced serotonin or histamine, glutamate or oxalate issues

Keep in mind tryptophan will help and allow collagen, gelatin and broth to be consumed without the increase in anxiety and panic attacks (and sleep issues) only if it is due to low serotonin.

Presumably both Dea and her daughter have other low serotonin symptoms – in addition to anxiety and panic attacks – such as sleep issues, worry, fears, afternoon/evening cravings etc (here is the list of symptoms).  As you can see from Toni’s feedback (above), she does have many low serotonin symptoms.

A trial of tryptophan and symptom reduction (initially until the ideal dose is found) will confirm symptoms are related to low serotonin very quickly. This will also help Dea with her nervousness and ruminating thoughts, help her daughter ease the feelings of panic and help Toni too.

It’s also often helpful to also rule out histamine, glutamate and oxalate issues from collagen, gelatin and broth intake – as all of these factors can contribute to an increase in anxiousness too.

Additional blog posts on the topic of collagen

In case you are new to these potential issues, here are additional blog posts on the topic:

If you are new to this topic and are still skeptical about all this, do read the many comments and stories on these blogs. It’s a way more common issue than you’d think!

Additional resources when you are new to using tryptophan and other amino acids as supplements

As always, I use the symptoms questionnaire to figure out if low serotonin or other neurotransmitter imbalances may be an issue.

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 (this is covered in an entire chapter too), 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.

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. You can sign up to be notified when the next live launch is happening.

If you need serotonin support, the Serotonin QuickStart Program is a good place to get help. This is also a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance on using tryptophan and 5-HTP safely, and community support during 5 LIVE Q&A calls. You can sign up to be notified when the next live launch of this program is happening.

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.

Wrapping up and your feedback

I appreciate Dea for sharing her story on the blog and for sharing this information at vitamin stores – we do need more awareness, hence this new blog on the topic to further help create awareness.

It’s very likely that this is one big contributing factor to the rise in anxiety and sleep issues in perimenopause and menopause. And this is probably made worse because so many practitioners are still not aware.

I thanked her for her kind words, and said I’ll take a virtual lunch and a virtual hug from her.

Have you experienced any adverse effects from collagen, gelatin or bone broth?

Have you been able to continue using them by adding tryptophan?

And why do you use collagen/how is it helping?

If you’re a practitioner are you aware of this issue for certain susceptible individuals?

Feel free to share and ask your questions below.

My kids and I used GABA to get through Hurricane Helene – I recommend it for everyone’s 72-hr kit now

By Trudy Scott 2 Comments

gaba in hurricane

My kids and I used GABA to get through Hurricane Helene. Freeways broken in 3 directions, no comms, no gas, no power, etc. GABA noticeably kept us calmer even as the days went by. It helped us stay calm enough to think about our escape plan and jump on opportunities to find gas and water.

So grateful we learned about it [from you years ago] and had it on hand… I recommend it for everyone’s 72-hr [emergency preparedness] kit now.

Alecia shared her wonderful results with GABA on a Facebook post. I’m sorry they went through this but I am so happy GABA helped. I also wish everyone had GABA on hand for situations like this.

She now also uses a manual device for vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and feels a combination of “GABA and VNS would have been incredible.” I’m a big fan of a B complex too and zinc and extra B6 if you have pyroluria because the added stress depletes these nutrients and makes things worse. And serotonin and endorphin support can often be helpful too. More on all this below and details about the GABA product she used and what dose helped her.

Which GABA product helped her and her family and how much did she use?

I asked Alecia to share how much GABA helped during and after the hurricane and which product worked for her? And if she had been using it before for day-to-day low GABA symptoms of feeling anxious, stressed, overwhelmed with physical tension and sleep issues.

We use the pharmaGABA by Natural Factors. I usually only need 100 – 200 mg in my regular life. During the hurricane I needed 300 mg pharmaGABA a couple of times a day. And more when waiting in a gas line. Such intense stress. GABA really took the edge off.

It’s always helpful to know your baseline dose i.e. what you use on a day-to-day basis. And to expect that dose to increase in times of the added stress in the midst of the hurricane and the immediate aftermath – as it did for Alecia. She needed a higher dose and used it more frequently.

You may often find you need to continue with the higher dose for a few weeks to months after the disaster, especially during the clean-up and rebuilding period.

One other factor to consider is the form of GABA. She used pharmaGABA with much success and many do very well on this form but I find more folks do better with GABA. GABA works best when used sublingually, capsule-opened, powder (all held on the tongue 1-2 mins) or cream, and a low starting dose is used, and increased to find the optimal dose.

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as an added benefit

Alecia now also uses a manual device for vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). She had it during Hurricane Helene but had not yet used it:

A combo of GABA and VNS would have been incredible. I found out my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer the next week and finally started using both GABA and VNS. Game changer combo.

She has the Hoolest veRelief Prime device and says this:

I love the Hoolest VNS. It helps with anxiety, sleep, digestion, and higher performance. I like level 4 but my kids prefer level 1.

I used it daily for about 4-6 months and then I started to heal deeply. Now I only need it once every week or two.

(I did hear that her mom’s treatments are working)

Vagus nerve stimulation, anxiety, GABA and the potential with VNS devices

This paper, Vagus nerve stimulation: a physical therapy with promising potential for central nervous system disorders, discusses how “vagus nerve stimulation influences the central nervous system through the GABA system” and the fact that “VNS has been shown to alleviate anxiety symptoms”, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Much of the research has been done with implantable vagus nerve stimulation (iVNS) but the potential with non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation devices is really exciting.

What is so interesting is that “Vagus nerve stimulation influences the central nervous system through the GABA system” and it’s “speculated that part of VNS’s therapeutic effects …might involve the GABA system.”

VNS benefits are also seen via impacts on serotonin and dopamine, BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), by reducing inflammation and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and promoting neuroprotection.

You can read more about vagus nerve support on this blog: Vagus nerve rehab with GABA, breathing, humming, gargling and key nutrients. I share my vagus nerve/throat issue and how manual vagus nerve support exercises and GABA helped me.

Using a good B complex and the pyroluria protocol too

I told Alecia that I’m a big fan of a good B complex and the pyroluria protocol too. I share more in this blog – Nutrition solutions for psychological stress after a natural disaster.

If this is all that can be managed it would be my first choice for everyone. In fact, if you live in an area prone to hurricanes, floods, fires etc. I’d recommend being on a B complex all the time.

My colleagues Bonnie Kaplin and Julia Rucklidge published this paper in 2015: A randomised trial of nutrient supplements to minimise psychological stress after a natural disaster. Those consuming a B-Complex and a broad-spectrum mineral/vitamin formula showed significantly greater improvement in stress and anxiety than study participants consuming a vitamin D supplement.

It is well known that pyroluria symptoms are made worse in times of heightened stress. If you are on protocol for pyroluria, additional zinc and vitamin B6/P5P is likely going to be needed short-term too.

In addition to GABA I also mention serotonin and endorphin support:

  • Serotonin support with tryptophan or 5-HTP, especially if you’re feeling sad, worried, imagining the worst, feeling fearful and having problems sleeping. More on tryptophan products.
  • Endorphin support with Lidtke DPA if you’re feeling especially emotional and weepy and grieving the loss of your home and community. More on endorphins here.

And I also include some resources for disaster preparedness and things to consider after the fangers have passed (like mold toxicity).

Additional resources when you are new to using GABA and other amino acids as supplements

As always, I use the symptoms questionnaire to figure out if low GABA or low serotonin or other neurotransmitter imbalances may be an issue.

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 (this is covered in an entire chapter too), 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.

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. You can sign up to be notified when the next live launch is happening.

If you need serotonin support, the Serotonin QuickStart Program is a good place to get help. This is also a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance on using tryptophan and 5-HTP safely, and community support during 5 LIVE Q&A calls. You can sign up to be notified when the next live launch of this program is happening.

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.

Wrapping up and your feedback

I appreciate Alecia for sharing her story and giving me permission to share on the blog.

Do you have GABA on hand all the time and include them in your 72-hr emergency preparedness kit?

Have you found vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) to be helpful – either manual exercises (which ones help you) or using a device (which one helps you)?

What about B vitamins and the pyroluria protocol – do they help too?

If you’re a practitioner do you recommend GABA, VNS, B vitamins and the pyroluria protocol?

Feel free to share and ask your questions below.