pharmaGABA

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

July 15, 2025 By Trudy Scott 2 Comments

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.

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.

Tryptophan and GABA for relaxation, jaw pain, sleep, anger and mood symptoms

June 13, 2025 By Trudy Scott 10 Comments

I typically start clients on tryptophan if they have signs of low serotonin: stressed, overwhelmed worry, fears, obsessing, feeling anxious, ruminations, low mood, anger issues/rage, sleep problems, pain issues, PMS, low self-esteem, imposter syndrome, and afternoon/evening carb cravings etc. If we don’t get expected results we switch to 5-HTP as some people do better on one vs the other.

With signs of low GABA – a more physical kind of anxiety, with some overwhelm, intrusive thoughts, tension, sleep issues (often lying awake tense), stress-eating and/or drinking and pain – I typically recommend a GABA only product (as a powder or capsule opened) or GABA Calm (a sublingual). In some cases we may consider theanine and pharmaGABA.

The best way to assess low GABA and low serotonin is the symptoms questionnaire and a trial of the respective amino acids – one at a time. But the key is to find the ideal amount for the unique needs of each person. We do that by methodically and systematically increasing the amino acid slowly and tracking improvements for each increase.

In this blog you can read some success stories from women who used tryptophan and GABA for relaxation, jaw pain, sleep, anger and mood symptoms, and my commentary with some additional insights.

Tryptophan and GABA (as powders) – for her stress and pain

Amy uses both tryptophan and GABA for relaxation and jaw pain:

I use both tryptophan and GABA, I just take them separately. When my jaw was really bad the tryptophan really helped. I also do vagus nerve stimulating exercises that make me yawn and it stretches and releases the jaw.

As for the GABA …when I’m very stressed, I need extra to feel the effects. I use a pinch between the fingers of the Now powder and let it dissolve on my tongue. I feel my body relax in about 30 seconds. If nothing then I take a second pinch. Most days 1 pinch is enough.

I also let tryptophan dissolve in my mouth and most days I feel the same physical relaxation after a few moments. It’s not always obvious with the tryptophan though. I use 1/4 tsp of powder but you can use capsules. I mix the powder with pudding powder because it’s very bitter.

Both tryptophan and GABA can help with pain, and also feeling anxious and stressed.

The benefits are via different mechanisms – tryptophan boosts low serotonin and it’s typically more of a mental type of relaxation. This blog illustrates the use of tryptophan for TMJ (temporomandibular joint) – Tryptophan ends TMJ pain, headaches and worry, and improves mood and sleep: a success story.

The amino acid GABA boots low GABA levels and it provides more of a physical type of relaxation and also helps with pain relief.

I like that Amy is using both amino acids as powder and I’m happy for her. GABA powder tastes pleasant and is much more effective used this way (or capsule opened or sublingual).

Tryptophan can be swallowed but many find it more effective as a powder or capsule opened. As Amy says, it’s very bitter as a powder.

Tryptophan or 5-HTP and different forms of GABA – for sleep, anger and mood symptoms

Kerry tried 5-HTP and pharmaGABA but did better with tryptophan and GABA Calm:

My naturopath had me on 5-HTP but I never felt a benefit, and pharmaGaba was a histamine trigger. After reading your book I tried tryptophan and spent many months on 2 x 500mg at bedtime. This helped with sleep and definitely stopped the surges of anger that happened often.

I read a lady say her staple was 2 x Gaba Calm at bedtime and on rising, so I tried this and it helped.

I now take both tryptophan and Gaba Calm only if I feel niggly mood symptoms.

My previous diet was standard vegetarian, then vegan for several years. I now have lots of protein in the form of beef liver capsules, eggs and protein powder. I don’t like meat.

Kerry shared all this in a recent blog comment, describing how tryptophan and GABA Calm were big game-changers for her, in addition to “a long slow mold detox …addressing nutritional deficiencies and implementing dietary changes.”

Mycotoxins caused by mold, nutritional deficiencies and a poor quality diet can impact neurotransmitter production. The good news is that when you find the right combination of amino acids – in this case tryptophan and GABA Calm – you can get relief right away while the other factors are being addressed. It reduces the overwhelm, stress and fears too.

Kerry’s approach of consistent use of both amino acids is the best way to go and I’m so happy for her. And once levels are sufficient they can be used as needed, provided other underlying causes (like toxins, diet etc) are being addressed.

I will add that some individuals do better on 5-HTP and some do better on tryptophan so it’s often a matter of doing a trial of both. I typically recommend tryptophan to start because 5-HTP can be an issue if cortisol is high.

I also always recommend starting with some forms of GABA because of the potential histamine issues with pharmaGABA. That said, some individuals do tolerate pharamGABA so it’s worth doing a trial of both. And we may also consider theanine when we want to support low GABA, low serotonin and low dopamine.

Theanine and tryptophan and diet/lifestyle changes – and feeling her best!

Luna worked with a health practitioner to taper off Prozac (very slowly) and used amino acids during the taper and afterwards:

As someone who took Prozac for years and eventually came off, please pay special attention to Trudy’s advice to come off it SLOWLY. I’d say do it so slowly it may seem ridiculous.

I tried three times to get off Prozac and it was only with the help of an ND/PharmD did I finally get the info needed to come off it without *awful* side effects. To do it well, the process takes MONTHS – not weeks as many doctors recommend.

These days, I take L-Theanine and L-Tryptophan. And I’m preparing to add some GABA soon. Combined with daily 45 minute walks outside, and a low-sugar/low-gluten diet, I’m doing the best I have in my adult life.

A comprehensive approach that includes amino acids, dietary changes, and getting out in nature can make a world of difference. I love it when I hear feedback like this.

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

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

Wrapping up and your feedback

Now I’d love to hear from you – how has tryptophan and GABA helped you or a loved one?

If you’d like to get on the notification list for the next Serotonin Quickstart Program (a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support during 5 LIVE Q&A calls), please do so here.

If you’re a practitioner do you use tryptophan and GABA with your clients/patients?

Feel free to share and ask your questions below.

Tryptophan 500 mg daily for a month: helps reduce negative thoughts, that scary wave of fear, panic attacks and anxiety

December 22, 2023 By Trudy Scott 32 Comments

Sylvie learned about my work after hearing me speak about nutritional solutions for anxiety on a summit. I discussed the use of tryptophan for low serotonin type of anxiety and panic attacks. She shared how much just 500 mg of tryptophan helps her and asks about using pharmaGABA too. In this blog I share my insights on next steps for someone in her shoes: using more tryptophan and/or more GABA and/or another GABA product. I also suggest that she reconsiders her vegetarian diet which can definitely play a role in low serotonin and some of the other neurotransmitters. Here is her wonderful feedback about tryptophan and her question in her own words:

I’ve been dealing with anxiety and panic attacks for a while. I am a vegetarian and really have no apparent reason why to have these two ghosts (anxiety and panic attacks) stealing the show in my present life. I don’t have anything causing intense stress or trauma and I take good care of myself. I went to see a Ph.D. in Psychotherapy and she couldn’t help me much, then I heard you talking about Tryptophan.

I got it the next day and I have been taking 1 x 500 mg at night daily, for about a month now. I have had almost no negative thoughts and that scary wave of fear in my body. Ok, maybe a couple of times, but really, very minimum. I was having a panic attack about once a week, ever since I took Lidtke Tryptophan so far I think I wanted to have a couple of them in the whole month, but they came very mildly and they disappeared.

May I take advantage and ask a question? When I felt I was going to have a panic attack I tried a 100mg of Pharmagaba that I found at Whole Foods, but I don’t think it did much for me. I know you recommend the GABA Calm, but I’ve suffered from migraines in the past, and I am afraid that the tyrosine will trigger one (one of my triggers for panic/anxiety are migraines), so what other brand/amount could I take that does not have tyrosine?

I don’t take any medications and am very healthy (had a yearly check up with complete lab work done in January), so the minimum dose of Tryptophan seems to be working well for me. THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing this information. I now understand the power of nutrition in our brain’s health, thanks to your book, etc…

Use what is already working and increase to find the ideal dose

It’s wonderful to hear how just 500 mg tryptophan once a day had such an impact on her and I appreciate her for sharing this on the blog so I can share here.

When I’m working with a client we always use what is already working well – in this case it’s tryptophan – and increase it to see if we can find the ideal dose and alleviate all the low serotonin symptoms.

Her negative thoughts and the scary wave of fear have been dramatically reduced but do happen from time to time. By increasing tryptophan she may well be able to completely eliminate them.

Panic attacks are a classic sign of low serotonin and with this amount of tryptophan they have decreased from once a week to a mild version once a month. This is another clue that tryptophan is helping and that it’s worth considering an increase. I would start with this before adding in pharmaGABA or another GABA product (but more on that below).

I would also review the list of low serotonin symptoms (you can find these here) and rate what else may still be causing any issues – like insomnia, PMS, anger, afternoon sugar cravings etc.

As far as increasing tryptophan a few options could be considered:

500 mg tryptophan mid-afternoon and 500 mg tryptophan at night OR
2 x 500 mg tryptophan at night (this would be a good option if sleep is still not ideal)

Precaution about serotonin syndrome with tryptophan/5-HTP

There are precautions when using certain amino acids and I always review them with all my clients. If they have been prescribed an SSRI I have them discuss the use of tryptophan/5-HTP with their prescribing doctor so they can be monitored for serotonin syndrome. With careful monitoring and doctor approval I feel comfortable having my clients use tryptophan/5-HTP 6 hours away from their one and only SSRI.

If they are using more than one SSRI and/or a combination of psychiatric medications, the use of tryptophan/5-HTP is not advised.

None of the above applied in this situation but it’s important to be aware of.

When to consider GABA and some products to trial

Low GABA can also be a factor when it comes to anxiety and panic attacks. But it’s best to get a good baseline of serotonin support before adding a new amino acid like GABA.

I would also review the list of low GABA symptoms (you can find these here) and rate which ones may still be causing issues – like how severe her physical anxiety/tension is when she has a panic attack, if she eats more sugar/drinks more alcohol when stressed and has low GABA tension-type of insomnia.

Tyrosine is a precaution with migraines so it was wise not to use GABA Calm but the pharmaGABA dose she used may not have been high enough. It’s worth increasing the dose to see if that helps before adding a different GABA product. A GABA only product like NOW GABA powder or a liposomal GABA/theanine product would be something to consider if the pharmaGABA doesn’t help. I shared a link to many of the GABA products that I use and recommend

The role of a vegetarian diet in low serotonin

I also suggest that Sylvie reconsiders her vegetarian diet which can definitely play a role in low serotonin and some of the other neurotransmitters.

She does share that she is surprised about the anxiety and panic attacks but it’s not really surprising to me because it’s a fact that you can become nutrient depleted on a vegetarian diet: low iron, low vitamin B12, low omega-3s and low vitamin D, as well as low intake of amino acids are common. All of the above are needed to make serotonin and other neurotransmitters.

She says “I now understand the power of nutrition in our brain’s health, thanks to your book.” I do address the issue with vegetarianism in my book so hopefully she is open to considering some changes.

Here are a few blog posts to illustrate the power of eating real whole food that does include quality animal protein:

If she doesn’t make changes to her diet it’s possible she may need to use tryptophan and/or GABA long term.

Tryptophan and 5-HTP product options

Sylvie happens to respond well to tryptophan and yet some folks do better with 5-HTP so it’s a matter of doing a trial of each.

Products I recommend include Lidtke 500 mg Tryptophan, and Pure Encapsulations 50 mg 5-HTP. You can purchase these from my online store (Fullscript – only available to US customers – use this link to set up an account).

If you’re not in the US, Doctor’s Best L-Tryptophan 500mg and Source Naturals 50 mg 5-HTP are products I recommend on iherb (use this link to save 5%).

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

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

There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and they are discussed throughout the book in the sections on gut health, gluten, blood sugar control, sugar cravings, anxiety and mood issues.

The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs. You can find them all – including the Lidtke Tryptophan 500 mg and some of the GABA products mentioned above – in my online store.

If, after reading this blog and my book, you don’t feel comfortable figuring things out on your own (i.e. doing the symptoms questionnaire and respective amino acids trials), a good place to get help is the GABA QuickStart Program (if you have low GABA symptoms too). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support.

Have you had success using tryptophan and/or GABA for your anxiety, panic attacks, negative thoughts and scary waves of fear? If yes, how much helps? Did you start low and then increase?

If you’re a practitioner do you have success using tryptophan and GABA this way with your clients/patients?

Feel free to share and ask your questions below.

My son has alcohol dependence and I want to help him quit drinking with GABA and other amino acid supplements

September 8, 2023 By Trudy Scott 15 Comments

My son has alcohol dependence and I want to help him quit drinking with GABA and other amino acid supplements. Alcohol and the benzodiazepines used in treatment both block GABA receptors, but I assume having GABA available in your system is better than none (especially as nutrition has been very poor). Have you an article on this? Thank you for your knowledge and understanding.

MJ posted this question on one of the GABA blogs and I shared a few blogs to get her started (some of those are listed below). I also shared that with addictions to alcohol (and sugar and drugs) it’s a matter of figuring out which amino acids are needed in order to balance the neurotransmitters and help you to quit with no willpower and without feeling deprived. This can differ for each person and it’s a matter of doing a trial of each amino acid based on unique needs.

He may well need GABA if he self-medicates with alcohol when under stress, but he may also need serotonin support with tryptophan or 5-HTP if he drinks when depressed and needs a mood lift.

I decided to create a new blog because it’s a much needed topic and so I could share additional resources and a table I use (see below) to help you figure out where your need may be. We use this in conjunction with the symptoms questionnaire for each neurotransmitter.

In addition to addressing her benzodiazepine question, I also shared the need to address low blood sugar, low vitamin B1 and overall nutrient status. She does mention nutrition has been poor and it often is with alcohol addiction.

Which emotions are driving the need to self-medicate with alcohol and which amino acids to trial?

This is how I help you figure out which emotions are driving the need to self-medicate with alcohol and which amino acids to trial:

How do you feel before drinking alcohol?	How do you feel after drinking alcohol?	Likely brain chemistry imbalance	Amino acid/s to supplement
Anxious or stressed (physical anxiety)	Calm or relaxed	Low GABA	GABA, pharmaGABA or theanine
Depressed or worried? (mental anxiety)	Happy or content	Low serotonin	Tryptophan or 5-HTP
Tired or unfocused	Energetic, alert, or focused	Low catecholamines	Tyrosine
Wanting a reward or treat, and sad (weepy)	Rewarded or comforted	Low endorphins	DPA (d-phenylalanine) or DLPA
Irritable and shaky	Grounded or stable	Low blood sugar	Glutamine

We use this in conjunction with the symptoms questionnaire for each neurotransmitter.

Many individuals with alcohol addiction have imbalances in all areas. We use the same approach when it comes to alcohol addictions that we use sugar/carb/junk food addictions i.e. we tackle one imbalance at a time so we know which amino acid is helping and how much is needed.

The amino acids play many roles in addressing alcohol addiction:

They help you to quit alcohol with no willpower and without feeling deprived
They help to mitigate many of the adverse effects of quitting (like insomnia and increased anxiety and depression)
They address the root cause of the addiction i.e. neurotransmitter imbalances
They address the emotional aspect so mood and anxiety is improved
They help to heal the damage that has been done to the gut: glutamine, GABA and tryptophan
They prevent the need to find a replacement like sugar, coffee, Diet soda and cigarettes (intake is often ramped up when drinking ceases)
They even help children who have had prenatal exposure to alcohol – 5-HTP benefits both adopted daughters who had prenatal exposure to alcohol: they are happier, more focused and can stay on task

PharmaGABA eases physical anxiety, amino acids ease alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and tryptophan turns you off alcohol

These blog posts illustrate the many applications of amino acids when it comes to quitting alcohol

PharmaGABA eases physical anxiety in a young man who has recently given up Adderall, alcohol and nicotine (some folks do better with GABA and some with pharmaGABA)
An amino acid supplement with DLPA, glutamine and 5-HTP eases alcohol withdrawal symptoms at an inpatient detoxification program
Tryptophan had the added benefit of turning me completely off alcohol when I took it to improve mood and sleep during perimenopause (this need for serotonin support could be applicable for a male too and at any age)

As I mentioned above, be sure to use the search feature to find other blogs on this site: use alcohol, addiction and sugar (and replace sugar with alcohol in the sugar blogs).

Does his prior benzodiazepine prescription prevent him from being able to use GABA?

MJ asks if her son’s prior benzodiazepine prescription will prevent him from being able to use GABA. He will need to taper very very slowly under the guidance of someone knowledgeable and with oversight by the prescribing physician.

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 the taper period and afterwards.

We do start with a very small dose – I typically have someone start with 25mg GABA and go up from there – and only use sublingual GABA (or pharmaGABA). 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.

I share more on this blog – Rebound insomnia after tapering a benzodiazepine: will taking GABA or any other natural supplement interfere with healing?

One big caveat is that nutritional stability is key when it comes to tapering benzodiazepines. It is also imperative when it comes to addiction recovery.

Good nutritional status, low blood sugar and low vitamin B1

MJ does mention that her son’s nutrition has been poor. It often is with alcohol addiction. I also shared with her the need to address low blood sugar and overall nutrient status.

When you are new to the amino acids and anxiety nutrition solutions my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is an excellent resource for all of the above – and the information applies to those with addictions too.

Here is a blog with additional information and a study on the importance of addressing low blood sugar when it comes to anxiety and also addictions – Anxiety and Hypoglycemia Symptoms Improve with Diet Modification.

This highlights the importance of consuming enough protein, fats and fiber, especially at breakfast. There is an entire chapter on blood sugar in my book – it’s that important.

Finally, low thiamine/vitamin B1 must be addressed: “alcohol misuse is the most common risk factor for thiamine deficiency.” More about this here.

A complete nutritional assessment for other issues should be done too: low vitamin D, low zinc, other vitamin B deficiencies, low magnesium, adrenal insufficiency, leaky gut and more.

Medically assisted withdrawal treatment

If you are wanting to quit alcohol and don’t have an alcohol use disorder, all of the above approaches can be safely used.

However, medically assisted withdrawal treatment may be needed in some instances: “Excessive chronic alcohol users, and particularly patients with alcohol use disorder, may present an alcohol withdrawal syndrome if they abruptly stop drinking. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome requires pharmacological treatment for the treatment of withdrawal symptoms and to prevent withdrawal complications. Medically assisted withdrawal treatment is used in alcohol treatment units, but it is also frequently required in patients admitted to hospital for other conditions.”

It’s important that this is recognized for those who need it. MJ mentions benzodiazepines were used in her son’s treatment so presumably he had medically assisted withdrawal treatment.

In this situation, once her son has safely quit alcohol everything I mention above would then apply – looking at the amino acids and nutritional status so there is no relapse. And so recovery is easier and sustainable with a stable mood and no anxiety.

Resources if you are new to using amino acids as supplements

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.

If, after reading this blog and my book, you don’t feel comfortable figuring things out on your own (i.e. doing the symptoms questionnaire and respective amino acids trials), a good place to get help is the GABA QuickStart Program (if you have low GABA symptoms too). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support.

Have you or a loved one used the amino acids to help with alcohol dependence/alcohol use disorder?

If benzodiazepines were used in the treatment center, was GABA still helpful?

Have the amino acids helped prevent new addictions to sugar/coffee/cigarettes and improved anxiety, depression and insomnia?

If you have questions and other feedback please share in the comments too.

GABA helps ease symptoms of anger, rage, and dark moods (symptoms we typically associate with low serotonin)

June 30, 2023 By Trudy Scott 23 Comments

As a result of this wonderful feedback from a mom in the online GABA QuickStart program, I’ve been looking into GABA-anger connections. I’ve been trying to understand how GABA could offer similar benefits to tryptophan/5-HTP for anger, rage and dark moods, which we typically associate with low serotonin. She shares this:

My son who is 19 and on the autism spectrum was having issues with outbursts of anger and stuttering. These issues seemed to worsen during his senior year of high school. Since starting GABA and tailoring his dosage from Trudy’s instruction and feedback, we have seen a 90% reduction in stuttering and 80% reduction in anger and outbursts. We have done many supplemental protocols over the years and this is one of the few we have seen have an impact.

I am so happy for this young man and his family, and was also very intrigued. I’ve seen GABA help with stuttering. I have not noticed that GABA helps very much with anger/rage in clients but possibly because they are making other changes at the same time. Since they were in the program and he also had anxiety, we decided to continue with GABA.

I worked with them in the program over a few months and know he only changed one thing – GABA, starting low and increasing to find his ideal dose (with my guidance).

So I started to dig into the research, search through prior blog posts and ask on Facebook and the feedback is robust – folks are seeing GABA help with symptoms of anger and rage.

I share a few case studies below: how PharmaGABA helps a 9 year old boy with rages (part of his OCD/PANS), how GABA helps a young boy with Lyme-induced anger and how GABA helps a 9 year old girl with anger and dark moods (part of her PCOS).

I also share my insights with each case. And some possible mechanisms because we always want to understand why.

PharmaGABA helps 9 year old with rages that are part of his OCD/PANS

Kathy shares how pharmaGABA helped her son (on a pharmaGABA blog):

My 9 year old son had a lot of benefits from PharmaGABA. He used to have rages as part of his OCD/PANS. PharmaGaba 3 times a day was a miracle to get him through that period.

PANS is a neuropsychiatric disorder that falls under the same umbrella as PANDAS but is triggered by an infection other than strep.

If you’re new to PANS/PANDAS, I share the definition of PANDAS, from the PANDAS Network, in this blog: “PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) occurs when strep triggers a misdirected immune response that results in inflammation on a child’s brain. In turn, the child quickly begins to exhibit life changing symptoms such as OCD/obsessive compulsive order, anxiety, tics, personality changes, decline in math and handwriting abilities, sensory sensitivities, restrictive eating, and more.”

Both PANS and PANDAS trigger OCD/obsessive compulsive disorder. OCD is typically supported with tryptophan and/or inositol i.e. these obsessive thinking and behaviors are typically related to low serotonin even when there is an infection involved. The infection needs to be addressed but the tryptophan and/or inositol help to ease the obsessive symptoms.

Rage is a common symptom when serotonin is low. Tryptophan addresses low serotonin and can have a huge impact as I share in this blog – Rage, anxiety, cravings & insomnia in 11-year old girl with RAD/reactive attachment disorder: chewable tryptophan turns things around.

However, in this instance, pharmaGABA worked for the rages Kathy’s son experienced.

PharmaGABA is one form of GABA that has been shown to help with relaxation and anxiety.

GABA helps a young boy with Lyme-induced anger

Another mom shared this on a Lyme disease post on Facebook:

One kid has developed fits of anger that come out of nowhere but the GABA seems to be able to help him to play longer periods.

Lyme disease can also have a neuropsychiatric aspect, as shared by Dr. Suruchi Chandra MD. I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Chandra on one of the Anxiety Summits and hear her present at integrative mental health conferences.

In one conference presentation she shared this: “Lyme disease is one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the United States. It can remain dormant for years and then later mimic a number of psychiatric illnesses, including anxiety disorders, mood disturbances, psychosis, and autism-like behaviors. It can be further complicated by the presence of co-infections.”

Anger and rage are also common symptoms. In one study, “Lyme rage” is described as an anger episode that “had a very abrupt onset and was extremely intense and often with minimal cognitive control.”

Yet again, we often see GABA help ease some of the anxiety symptoms, as I share here – GABA helps with Lyme anxiety (while addressing the underlying disease).

However in this instance, GABA helped with her son’s anger symptoms induced by the Lyme bacteria.

GABA helps a 9 year old girl with anger and dark moods (part of her PCOS)

Debbie was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and GABA helped ease her lifelong anxiety, wean off anxiety medication, ovulate each month and stop her PCOS medications. She was thrilled that GABA helps her daughter too. She shared how her oldest daughter who is 9 has been showing early signs of developing PCOS and other issues similar to hers:

When her mood started changing and she was getting angry out of nowhere and very dark and moody, I started her on a small dose of GABA. Immediately both of us saw the difference in her mood. She now asks for her “happy pills” daily because she doesn’t want to feel those dark feelings anymore. I wish this information was around when I was young. It could’ve helped so much of what I had to struggle with for years.

I typically think of tryptophan or 5-HTP as “happy pills”, and anger and a dark mood as symptoms of low serotonin.

However, yet again, GABA resolves these symptoms in Debbie’s daughter.

These are just a few of the many recent success stories I’ve heard about GABA and anger/rage.

Does low GABA anger/rage look different from low serotonin anger-rage?

This is all new to me so I honestly don’t know. We do know that low GABA leads to more of a physical kind of anxiety (i.e. felt in the body) and it’s different from low serotonin worry-type anxiety (i.e. it’s felt in the head).

Therefore, it’s possible that low GABA anger and rage has more of a physical aspect too.

I have yet to explore this aspect but feel it may be helpful to figure out if there is a difference in order to effectively use the neurotransmitter symptoms questionnaire. This questionnaire is used to decide whether to trial GABA or tryptophan/5-HTP and the low GABA section will be updated with anger/rage once I’ve gone a bit deeper with all this.

The kind of anger symptoms may well look the same and then we’ll use the clustering of either low GABA or low serotonin symptoms to base our decision for doing an amino acid trial.

Research: GABA may be critical in the neurochemical control of aggressive behavior and rage

There is no research that I am aware of where the amino acid GABA has been used to ease rage, anger or dark moods.

However, this letter, Tiagabine for Rage, Aggression, and Anxiety published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscicnes in 2015 offers some round-about support to this GABA-rage observation. They are discussing patients with treatment-resistant rage and aggression and they propose that:

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, may be critical in the neurochemical control of aggressive behavior.

They share that the prescription medication called Tiagabine, a selective GABA reuptake inhibitor (SGRI), increases synaptic GABA availability.

And that 20 out of 36 patients aged 15-54 years (69%)

with symptoms of rage, aggression, or anxiety in association with one or more of the following disorders: bipolar, intermittent explosive, major depression, panic disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or substance abuse …demonstrated a good or excellent response to tiagabine, with reduction or elimination of the symptoms of rage, aggression, or anxiety.

This and the few studies on anger and glutamate (like this one) offer the most plausible explanations for the quick results we expect when using GABA and other amino acids i.e. quick as in results in 1-30 minutes.

Other than this there is not much direct evidence supporting this GABA-rage connection. GABA likely also helps quickly because of reduced anxiety, improved sleep, and being easil able to quit or eat less sugar (and in adults quit alcohol).

Based on some research I’ve found and my experience with GABA, I suspect GABA may also help in these ways over a longer period: countering a histamine reaction, reducing inflammation and impacting cytokines, improving progesterone levels, beneficial impacts on the microbiome, supporting the liver and toxin removal (such as fluorides), gut healing and reducing high blood pressure. I am still digging into the research.

I thank these families for sharing their stories so we all benefit.

I also really appreciate this opportunity to learn from you – my community – and I will always strive to keep an open mind.

Resources if you are new to using amino acids as supplements

If you are new to using amino acids as supplements, here is the Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution (you can see all the symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalances, including low GABA and low serotonin).

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.

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.

[The 19 year old young man/his mother were part of an earlier version of the GABA Quickstart program].

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.

Now I’d love to hear from you ….

Has GABA helped you or your child with symptoms of anger, rage or a dark mood? And if yes, how did it help, how much helped and which product helped?

Can you be sure GABA helped i.e. is this the only change you made?

Has serotonin support with tryptophan or 5-HTP also helped? And if yes how would you describe the low serotonin anger symptoms vs the low GABA anger symptoms? Are they different?

If you are a practitioner, have you observed any of the above?

Feel free to post your feedback and questions here in the comments.

Using 750 mg GABA in a hard tablet form for anxiety: I do not experience the flush but I am also not sure it is doing much of anything for me

July 15, 2022 By Trudy Scott 21 Comments

Today I’m addressing a question from someone in this community about a particular GABA product and her confusion about dosing with 750mg and using a hard tablet (she calls it a pill). When she uses it she doesn’t notice any effect i.e. no calming benefits and no adverse niacin-type tingly flush either. This is what she asked:

Not sure if “Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind” is on your list, but I thought it was one you had recommended at one time? Anyway, these are pills that cannot be opened like a capsule and 1 pill = 750 mg.

Personally, I had the tingly flush when I used a different product that WAS a capsule and opened it on my tongue…unfortunately I do not recall dosage or product name but I purchased at Whole Foods.

With this particular product (Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind) in pill form, although the dosage could be higher, I do not experience the flush…(however, I also am not sure it is doing much of anything for me).

This is my feedback for her: I have never recommended the Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind 750 mg tablet ever (she calls it a pill but I know she is referring to the hard tablets).

These are not a very effective way to use GABA. As you can see, she doesn’t feel it’s doing anything for her in terms of easing her anxiety and being calming. With a high dose of GABA we also often see a niacin-like flush or tingling and yet with this pill/tablet form she didn’t experience this either. GABA is much more effective when used sublingually or opening a capsule (and starting low at 125mg). More on this below.

But I’m not surprised she is confused and asking this question. The Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind has a very similar bottle/name/label to Source Naturals GABA Calm (the sublingual with 125mg GABA) and there is also a Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind 750 mg capsules (which can be opened).

She mentions the tingly flush when using a different product that was a capsule and opened on to her tongue. I’d suspect the tingling happened with a 500 mg GABA or 750 mg GABA product as this is a common dosage found in health stores. Opening the capsule and using less is best when starting out.

If you have to break it it’s a tablet and much less effective

All this logic applies to any brand of hard GABA tablet. Someone just shared on Facebook that she had purchased a GABA product in the Netherlands and broke it in half in order to use a lower dose. If you have to break it it’s a tablet and much less effective and possibly not at all effective. Be sure to read the front and back of the bottle and avoid hard tablets.

From time to time someone will see some benefit with a GABA tablet that is swallowed but it’s usually minimal.

The most effective forms of GABA to use

Here is a quick recap if you’re new to GABA. It’s an amino acid that is used as a supplement to boost GABA levels (a calming neurotransmitter) and ease physical tension type anxiety symptoms. It’s most effective when used sublingually, or as a powder or by using a GABA capsule opened on to the tongue or as a liposomal product.

When using GABA it must ideally be in one of these forms for the best effects:

Capsule form so the gelatin or cellulose capsule can be opened and the contents sprinkled onto the tongue, or some of it depending on dosing (NFH GABA-T SAP is a good example of this one – it contains GABA and theanine)
Sublingual form which is sucked/held in the mouth (Source Naturals GABA Calm 125mg is a good example of this – this is the GABA product that I have the most success with and it’s easy to use when out and about; PharmaGABA chewables are another option)
Powder form which is measured out using special tiny measuring spoon and sprinkled on to the tongue (Healthwise and Bulk Nutrients are good examples of this one)
Liposomal form which is sprayed into the mouth and held for a few minutes (Designs for Health Liposomal Neurocalm and Quicksilver Scientific Liposomal GABA with L-Theanine are good examples of this form)

This blog, 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 a list of selected GABA products.

Here are a few success stories where the above different forms have been used:

Resources if you are new to using the amino acids as supplements

If you are new to using any of 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).

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 as mentioned above, 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. There are many moms in the program who are having much success with their kids.

Did you use a GABA product that didn’t work for you before finding the ideal product and dose?

Please share which product didn’t work (was it a hard tablet?) and what did work for you. And be sure to share how it helps to ease your physical anxiety, insomnia, pain, intrusive thoughts and cravings (for sugar or alcohol).

Have you experienced the niacin-like flush or tingle from using too high a dose of GABA? How much did that and which product?

If you’re a practitioner, which forms of GABA do you find the most success with?

If you have questions please share them here too.