pyroluria

GABA worked amazingly for 18-year-old during a MCAS/histamine flare, helping with OCD, anxiety, rage and skin issues

October 27, 2023 By Trudy Scott Leave a Comment

Bonnie shared how effective GABA was for her 18 year old son with suspected MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome/histamine issues) and his associated anxiety/OCD/rage and skin issues:

GABA worked amazingly for us during a flare! Flares began with OCD [obsessive compulsive disorder]and anxiety increasing before our eyes and then the rage followed.

He would wake up very early and his upper back, shoulders and upper chest would have acne all over, this would come and go, but never completely go.

GABA capsules worked in 20 minutes and thanks to you Trudy, I read and found GABA chewables worked in 5 minutes. We used to buy GABA all the time to stop the flares and to prevent them from coming! The GABA was absolutely 100% a godsend!

Once I started focusing on keeping histamine down, we don’t buy or use GABA much! Haven’t had a flare in almost a year!!

It’s so wonderful to hear that GABA helped Bonnie’s son so much. No MCAS/histamine flare in a year!

I checked with Bonnie and they primarily used 3 x Source Naturals GABA Calm chewables (each one contains 125 mg GABA). They initially used up to 3 x 250 mg GABA if he was having a really bad flare, 1 if he was not so bad and 2 if somewhere between.

Histamine issues frequently cause physical tension and anxiety so we’d expect GABA to help. Wth rage and OCD, we typically consider low serotonin as a possible cause but in her son’s case, GABA clearly was his root cause. I share another case where GABA helped ease symptoms of anger, rage, and dark moods.

It’s been a long road – ruling out PDD-NOS, PANDAS and PANS

But as amazing as GABA was for him there was more to it and it has been a long road for him. Bonnie shared this too: “At 4 years old he was diagnosed with PDD-NOS, then at 5 years old they said no it’s PANDAS, and at 6 years old no it’s PANS.”

Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) refers to a group of disorders characterized by impairment in the development of social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, imaginative activity and a limited number of interests and activities that tend to be repetitive.

Both PANDAS and PANS are associated with OCD, rages and other mental health issues which are often sudden onset and caused by infections – PANDAS is Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections, and PANS is when the severe onset of OCD symptoms is linked to another infection. More on these conditions here. It’s important to either rule out or address these conditions.

They tried several doctors and several protocols over the years: “B12 injections early but only saw a small gain. No reactions for years whatever we tried. IV treatment about 5 years ago was the second time we had gains.

Histamine was off the chart and flares were worse during allergy season and better in winter

I share all this to give you hope and to send the message that you don’t want to ever give up. Even with few gains, Bonnie persevered and started making the connections with allergies. She shared this: “During these years 2 different allergy tests matched and histamine was off the chart for both, but 2 different doctors did not address it. Maybe there was no connection then.”

She noticed flares were worse during the beginning of allergy season and better in winter, and started to histamine support:

We use DAO enzymes with high histamine foods. We tried quercetin, isoquercetin and curcumin with no gains. Started stinging nettles and bromelain and they are definitely helping us with gains.

Our son seems to be much better, being more social and we are just seeing better connections socially.

Just started Seeking Health Serotonin Nutrients to see if this can further add gains. Probably a different topic now! Sorry so long!! Love to share!!!

Bonnie noticed her son’s flares were better in winter but keep in mind there may be seasonality of GABA with worsening anxiety, insomnia and intrusive thoughts in winter (and the need for increased GABA supplementation). I blog about this here.

The research: Neurotransmitter and neuropeptide regulation of mast cell function

Bonnie shared her son’s results in response to a Facebook post where I shared the research that GABA (a well-known inhibitory neurotransmitter) helps with MCAS/mast cell activation syndrome and histamine issues.

This 2020 paper, Neurotransmitter and neuropeptide regulation of mast cell function: a systematic review, reports that:

Some reports link GABA to the inhibition of MC (mast cell) activation in allergies. GABA suppresses degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells via the GABA(B) receptor on the cell surface

….The administration of GABA in a dose-dependent manner reduced the development of AD [atopic dermatitis] – like skin lesions in mice by suppressing serum IgE and splenocyte IL-4 production.

(Keep in mind that the RBL-2H3 cell line mentioned in the above research is a commonly used histamine-releasing cell line used in inflammation, allergy and immunological research.)

My additional feedback about serotonin support and pyroluria

They also used (and still use) 5 mg lithium orotate and 100 mg 5-HTP. Bonnie will soon be stopping one at a time to see if that makes a difference. I’ll share what she reports back.

Bonnie mentions wanting to trial a combination product for serotonin support. I shared with her that I prefer individual amino acids so we know what’s helping. This is especially important with sensitive folks who may react to any one of the ingredients. My choice would be exploring 5-HTP further or doing a trial of tryptophan instead of 5-HTP (or possibly a combination of both) if there are still low serotonin symptoms.

She also mentions that her son is “more social and we are just seeing better connections socially.” This is great but if she feels he could make even more social gains I’d encourage looking into the pyroluria protocol too. There are many added benefits of addressing pyroluria (a social anxiety condition) when someone has MCAS, histamine issues, Lyme or another chronic condition. The zinc, vitamin B6 and other nutrients also support neurotransmitter production.

Resources if you are new to using amino acids as supplements

We use the symptoms questionnaire to figure out if low GABA or low serotonin 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, 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 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.

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.

I really appreciate Bonnie for sharing her son’s story and giving me permission to share as a blog.

Has GABA helped with your symptoms (or your loved one’s symptoms) triggered by MCAS/mast cell activation syndrome and histamine issues – like anxiety, insomnia, OCD, racing heart, rage, allergy symptoms and even rashes/dermatitis?

Do you also find that the sublingual/chewable GABA Calm product worked/works quicker than swallowed GABA products?

Has addressing pyroluria helped MCAS/histamine issues and social anxiety?

Feel free to share and ask your questions below.

Side stitch when running or exercising: the anxiety/stress connection (and the pyroluria protocol of zinc and vitamin B6 as a solution?)

August 4, 2023 By Trudy Scott 21 Comments

If you get a painful side stitch when running or doing other exercise or experienced a side stitch when you were a kid, you may be as intrigued as I was to learn there is new research that points to an anxiety/stress connection. This cross-sectional observational study was done involving an anonymous survey of one hundred sixty-eight male and female adults who were running at least 10 miles/16 km per week.

The conclusion of this study, Thorn in Your Side or Thorn in Your Head? Anxiety and Stress as Correlates of Exercise-Related Transient Abdominal Pain, is as follows: “anxiety and stress are associated with the presence of ETAP.” A runner’s side stitch is referred to as ETAP i.e. exercise-related transient abdominal pain. The authors mention the fact that this is the first study to reveal this anxiety/stress connection. This is relevant given the numerous recent studies looking for a cause and no definitive solutions.

This research is also really intriguing to me given what Dr. Carl Pfeiffer MD, PhD, identified 50+ years ago in the 1970s i.e. side stitches are common in those with pyroluria/social anxiety. What’s important is the fact that the pyroluria nutrient protocol eases social anxiety and prevents side stitches in my clients. You’ll read feedback from individuals in the community who resonate with this research and the pyroluria connections. I share more about pyroluria below in case it’s new to you and a possible cause of the side stitch pain.

My feedback and feedback from others in the community

I have pyroluria and always got a left side stitch as a kid, in my teens when running and playing squash and in my 20s/30s when running. And then they stopped (and the social anxiety and related symptoms resolved) when I addressed my pyroluria with zinc, B6 and EPO, and a copper-free multi that contains manganese. I see these kinds of results with my clients all the time so a light-bulb went off when I read this new research .

I shared this research and the anxiety/stress/pyroluria connection on Facebook and asked: did you/do you get side stitches when running/exercising? Here is some of the feedback I received, where the pyroluria protocol did help.

Kameka shared this: “I had side stitches as a kid and as an adult. Running was the main exercise that caused it and it was usually the left side. Now that you mention it, I haven’t had them since I started supplementing for pyroluria. Also, my social anxiety is sooo much better as well!”

She did the symptoms questionnaire and the pyroluria urine test (which can give false negative results) and confirmed she takes vitamin B6, zinc, magnesium, and primrose oil.

Bec shared this: “I hated PE at high school for that reason. While everyone was running, I was suffering from side stitches (I think it was my right side) and having breaks. I have pyroluria with lots of symptoms. I do well with zinc and P5P.”

Not everyone reported an improvement with the protocol but many folks resonated with the side stitch/pyroluria connections:

Megan said: “Couldn’t run as a kid. A stitch every time. I can’t recall which side, never really paid too much attention. Looking at the pyroluria symptoms, I think I may have always had it.”

Janie exclaimed: “Oh, boy, did I!” (while distance running). She finds it hard to remember but thinks it may have been on her right side. She also shared that “tests for zinc come back normal, but I have many of the [pyroluria] symptoms, especially the less common ones. I scored high. I always want breakfast but all the other questions fit me like a glove, like pieces of a puzzle with my photo on the box.

My lack of dream recall is another sign. I take 25 mg of methylated B6, but still no dreams. The question regarding being seated in the middle of a restaurant…THAT IS ME!! My throat will feel like it’s closing up, so much tension.”

I explained that most zinc testing is not accurate and that we increase until we get symptom resolution. I also referred her to the pyroluria chapter in my book.

Susie shared this: “Yes I always got side stitches so I gave up running. I suspected pyroluria but not sure if I have it.”

Leah said “I’d say my daughter and I both [had side stitches] more when we were younger. Both socially anxious and pyroluria. Less exercising now too.”

Information if you’re new to pyroluria

Pyroluria is frequently associated with a type of anxiety characterized by social anxiety, avoidance of crowds, a feeling of inner tension, and bouts of depression. People with this problem experience varying degrees of anxiety or fear, often starting in childhood, but they usually manage to cover it up and push through. They tend to build their life around one person, become more of a loner over time, have difficulty handling stress or change, and have heightened anxiety symptoms when under more stress.

Also on the list of symptoms is this one: “Upper abdominal pain on your left side under the ribs or, as a child, having a stitch in your side as you ran.”

Addressing low levels of the mineral zinc and vitamin B6, together with some other nutrients and stress management, are key to addressing these symptoms.

Here is the complete symptoms questionnaire on the blog. This questionnaire can also be found in the pyroluria chapter in my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution. You’ll find the detailed supplement protocol and additional information on how to assess for low zinc and low vitamin B6 in this chapter too.

You can read more about the prevalence and associated conditions here. It’s most often considered a genetic condition but is possibly environmentally triggered too.

There are many pyroluria blog posts where I cover various aspects such as the importance of addressing pyroluria for recovery from MCAS and Lyme, pyroluria and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, pyroluria and intrusive thoughts and many more. I encourage you to use the search feature on the blog.

A possible cause of the side stitch in pyroluria

Here is an excerpt from a paper published in 1974 by Dr. Pfeiffer and colleagues, Treatment of Pyroluric Schizophrenia Malvaria With Large Doses of Pyridoxine and zinc, describing why the side pain probably occurs:

This 15-year-old upper middle-class patient (now 19 after studying for four years) represents a case of nutrient deficiency in which vitamins (specifically B6) and the trace minerals manganese and zinc were inadequate for the development of normal knee joints and normal brain function.

The deficiency was sufficiently severe at its peak to cause prolonged psychosis, atypical seizures, arthritis, amenorrhea, constipation, and splenic pain. The pain is probably due to hemolytic crisis in which red cell fragments engorge the Kupfer cells of the spleen and liver, extend the capsule, and cause pain. The double deficiency is produced by the formation of KP [kryptopyrroles] which combines with pyridoxal and zinc.

Based on the above and other publications by Dr. Pfeiffer, when the stitch happens on the left side, my understanding is that the pain is in the spleen. And when it happens on the right side, the pain is in the liver area. Most individuals with pyroluria say they felt/feel their side stitch on the left side. Either way it appears to be caused by low zinc, low vitamin B6 and the other nutrients needed by those with pyroluria. And resolved when on the pyroluria protocol.

I would love to see these ETAP researchers take their anxiety/stress research one step further and identify how common pyroluria is in runners who get side stitches and if the pyroluria protocol prevents the side stitches.

My book as a resource and pyroluria supplements

As mentioned above, there is an entire chapter on pyroluria in 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 addressing these deficiencies. And be sure to share it with the practitioner/health team you or your loved one is working with.

Keep in mind that these nutrients are cofactors for making neurotransmitters and are a key part of my protocol when working with individual amino acids.

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 pyroluria supplements and amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs. You can find them all in my online store.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the discussion on Facebook. Now I would love to hear from you so I can approach the authors with their feedback and yours too.

Did you get a side stitch as a kid and did it affect your ability to take part in school sports?

Do you still get a side stitch when running or doing other exercises? If yes, does it hold you back and with which exercise?

Did/does the side stitch occur on the left or right side?

And do you have pyroluria? (based on the symptoms questionnaire and/or pyroluria urine test)?

Does the pyroluria protocol prevent your painful side stitches? And had you made the connection to pyroluria/anxiety/stress?

Are you seeing a similar pattern with your kid/s? (pyroluria, side stitch and the protocol helps them too)

If you have questions and feedback please share them here too.

My 12 year old son has ADHD, is impulsive, is a loner, craves carbs, and doesn’t do well or care about school – should he be on GABA?

July 21, 2023 By Trudy Scott 17 Comments

I’ve been reading your blogs and I’m trying to decide if my 12 year old son should be on GABA? He has ADHD, is impulsive, is a loner, craves carbs, and doesn’t do well or care about school.

Can you tell me what supplement he could be deficient and where to purchase? He is currently on ADHD medication (Focalin) during the school year.

Janice asked the above question about her 12 year old son. I wish it was as simple as just using the calming amino acid GABA but it’s seldom one amino acid that is the answer. GABA is often one of many supplements that may help and in this instance I suspect a combination of neurotransmitter imbalances (low GABA, low dopamine and low serotonin), pyroluria, other possible nutritional deficiencies and dietary factors are at play. Read on to hear my approach for working through what may help this young man improve his focus, reduce his carbs, actually care about school and doing well, reduce his impulsivity and help him fit in socially – and ultimately lead to him being a happier, calmer and healthier child.

GABA with preteens who have ADHD and spinning-type symptoms

I always start with one of the amino acids because we get quick results and immediate feedback. Since Janice asked about GABA, this is the GABA feedback I shared with her: I’ve had good results with GABA with preteens who have ADHD and spinning-type symptoms. One clue is when the craving of carbs is driven by stress i.e. stress eating. I always start with the symptoms questionnaire and have the parent rate each low GABA symptom on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being most severe, ideally in conjunction with their child.

I then have the child do a one-off trial of GABA and we observe improvements in the next 5-30 minutes. If the child reports any improvement in any of the symptoms – in this case focus and spinning driven by anxiety – the child continues with GABA and increases over the next few weeks to find the ideal dose for their needs.

Sometimes focus issues are so severe that it’s too challenging to rate symptoms before, doing a one-off trial of GABA and then rating symptoms afterwards. In cases like this, mom makes the decision to have their child use GABA before school, when they get home and possibly early evening too. Mom can observe their focus and spinning: like getting dressed and ready for school, settling down to homework in the afternoon and settling down for bed.

Relying on feedback from school is invaluable too. Stress related carb cravings are also assessed i.e. does he seek out sugar when stressed and anxious.

A mom shares how GABA helps her 11 year old daughter – GABA for children: ADHD, focus issues, irritability, anxiety and tantrums

My daughter hasn’t been diagnosed with ADHD but has a lot of ADHD qualities. We were having a huge amount of behavior problems as she is getting older (she’s 11). She has had amazing behavior at school and at home since giving it to her. She’s almost like a different child. GABA has truly changed our life.

…before the GABA she was irritable, she was fighting with her teacher and schoolmates, she couldn’t focus and was distracted by anything and everything, she was constantly disrupting the class and she was throwing major tantrums over ridiculous stuff (like her hair didn’t do what she wanted), she was mouthy and everything was a fight.

We are not seeing 99% of those behaviors at all anymore. She of course is still your typical pre-teen but if I say “no you can’t have that” our “no you can’t go there” her reaction is OK. Before it would have been a major fight or meltdown. Her teacher is reporting to me every day about her wonderful days.

Tyrosine for focus issues, low motivation and low energy type carb cravings

With focus issues I would also consider the role of low dopamine and do a trial of tyrosine. Other clues: are his carb cravings related to low energy and is there also low motivation tied to the fact that he doesn’t care about school? Are there also signs of depression or low mood?

We go back to the symptoms questionnaire and have the parent rate each low dopamine/low catecholamine symptom on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being most severe. Again, do this in conjunction with the child if possible.

We only do a trial of one amino acid at a time so we know what is working. Assuming the GABA has been helping, we’d do a trial of tyrosine next and look for improvements in focus, carb cravings (all neurotransmitter imbalances can lead to carb cravings), motivation and mood.

If the one-off trial approach is not an option, tyrosine is also used before school and right after school but no later than 3pm so as not to affect sleep. Again, the above symptoms are tracked.

In this blog both GABA and tyrosine help this teen: GABA helps 14-year-old with Tourette’s Syndrome (the tics and sleep), and tyrosine makes him happier and his mind sharper

Tryptophan or 5-HTP for ADHD/hyperactivity and afternoon cravings

Hyperactivity can also show up with low serotonin, and so can something like not caring about school i.e. a low mood. A clue here is when his carb cravings are more intense – with low serotonin it’s typically afternoon or evening.

We go back to the symptoms questionnaire and have the parent rate each low serotonin symptom on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being most severe. And again, it’s best to do this in conjunction with the child if possible and do a one-off trial of tryptophan or 5-HTP.

If that’s not possible, tryptophan or 5-HTP is used mid-afternoon and evening and symptoms are tracked. This can be layered in on top of the GABA and tyrosine if they are offering some relief.

Here is a blog post where a mom shares how 5-HTP helps her child – ADHD: 5-HTP melts have been a miracle for one of my adopted kids

5-HTP melts have been a miracle for one of my adopted kids. He had lots of trauma and off the charts ADHD. 5-HTP is better than methylphenidate (Ritalin) and we are now weaning off the non-stimulants.

Just 80 mg 5-HTP in the morning is all he needs. He was super ADHD, he had a para (teacher’s aide) in public school for years to keep him on track and this year at a school for ADHD the teachers were complaining that he was never on task. Now after a week it has changed his life.

Addressing pyroluria, low lithium, low zinc, low blood sugar and diet

Janice mentions her son is a loner so we’d look into pyroluria/social anxiety and add zinc, vitamin B6 and evening primrose oil (and other key nutrients). Keep in mind that zinc deficiency is common and is often low with ADHD.

She also mentions that he is impulsive. Impulsivity and ADHD is common with low levels of lithium. A big clue is a child having a roller-coaster of emotions. I use this low lithium questionnaire to assess for a need for low dose lithium (a nutritional supplement).

I consider low blood sugar with all my clients and with this young man low blood sugar may be contributing to his focus issues, low mood and desire for carbs. The amino acid glutamine helps as does breakfast and meals with quality animal protein and healthy fats.

And it goes without saying that dietary factors must always be addressed. My book is a great resource when are looking for a comprehensive dietary approach, which is needed with ADHD and the symptoms Janice describes – The Antianxiety Food Solution. There is also a chapter on low blood sugar, pyroluria and the amino acids.

If you are an adult and can relate to any of these symptoms and feelings, the same process applies. Just remember this: there is no one-size fits all since we all have unique biochemistry.

Side effects and longer term effects of stimulant medications

I appreciate Janice for reaching out and asking this question. Hopefully, implementing some or all of these changes, will allow her son to stop his stimulant medication, Focalin. This medication is similar to Ritalin (methylphenidate), which can cause the following side-effects: feeling sad or empty, irritability, loss of interest or pleasure, trouble concentrating, trouble sleeping (and many more).

These stimulant medications can also play a role in longer term health effects that include heart disease and the possibility of it being a gateway drug to other stimulants. The research on the latter is hotly debated but it is often seen clinically.

Resources if you are new to using amino acids as supplements

To recap, 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, low serotonin, low dopamine, low blood sugar and low endorphins).

As mentioned, 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.

Have any of the above amino acids helped your child or you with the following symptoms: ADHD and poor focus, carb cravings and low mood/low motivation (doesn’t care)?

Has the pyroluria protocol helped your child or you be less of a loner?

Has low dose lithium helped your child or you with impulsivity and focus issues?

Have dietary changes helped too?

If you are a practitioner, are you using amino acids, the pyroluria protocol, low dose lithium and dietary changes with success in cases like this?

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

Are adrenal issues causing your anxiety? Highlights from the book: Adrenal Transformation Protocol by Izabella Wentz PharmD

April 21, 2023 By Trudy Scott 8 Comments

This is a guest post from my friend and colleague, Dr. Izabella Wentz, who just came out with her latest book, Adrenal Transformation Protocol (my Amazon link). The book is focused on healing your adrenals, and in it she shares specific strategies to support anxiety. Izabella shares a few of the many strategies with you here in this guest post.

You’ll notice that we share many common approaches:

Addressing low blood sugar (much more on that below)
Caffeine intake: Izabella recommends reducing caffeine but I have found many folks in my community need to quit altogether. I have noticed that those with panic disorders experience increases in symptoms such as nervousness, fear, nausea, heart palpitations, and tremors after consuming caffeine and said the effects were similar to how they felt during a panic attack.
Gluten elimination: Interestingly, I have found in my clinical experience and research that there is a connection between gluten and anxiety, social phobia, depression, and even schizophrenia.
Using herbal adaptogens, addressing nutrient deficiencies, and even pyroluria which can deplete key nutrients needed for adrenal health (especially when under high amounts of stress).

All of her approaches focus on adrenal health specifically and she has now taken over 3000 people on an adrenal healing journey. And 86% of them reported that their anxiety improved after going through her protocol.

By Dr. Izabella Wentz. PharmD

Stress is at the root cause of many chronic health issues, and very well may be at the root of your anxiety, too. Chronic stress can put a burden on our adrenal glands, resulting in an excess of stress hormones like cortisol. The body’s repeated exposure to cortisol can result in increased blood sugar levels, increased heart rate, and increased blood pressure, all of which can lead to feelings of anxiety.

The adrenals are two small glands, located on top of each kidney, that release hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Adrenal dysfunction generally occurs when your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is unable to effectively manage your stress response. The HPA axis describes the interactive feedback loop that takes place among these three endocrine, or hormone-producing, glands. If the communication among these three breaks down, your adrenals and their ability to produce important essential hormones can be jeopardized.

Overactive adrenals can leave you feeling like you’re constantly in “fight or flight” mode. First, your body releases high levels of stress chemicals like adrenaline and cortisol. To ensure you’re ready to defend yourself or run, these chemicals spike your blood sugar, as well as increase heart rate, blood pressure, and insulin levels – making you feel anxious, stressed and wide awake at night.

Chronic stress is one of the most common causes of adrenal dysfunction. Our bodies are well-equipped to respond to acute stressors (like being chased by a bear or getting out of the way of an oncoming car), where we experience activation of the fight-or-flight response, followed by a return to the rest-and-digest state.

However, many of us today face a never-ending presence of stressful, yet non-life-threatening, situations that can lead to the constant activation of the stress response.

With enough chronic stress, the HPA axis becomes overwhelmed and desensitized to the usual feedback loop, and stops sending messages to the adrenals to produce more hormones or less hormones, no matter what’s happening.^[1]

Other common causes of adrenal dysfunction include sleep deprivation, blood sugar dysregulation, and chronic inflammation (which are all forms of stress on the body).

Symptoms of poor adrenal function may include the following:

Feeling overwhelmed
Feeling anxious
Feeling tired despite adequate sleep
Trouble falling asleep or trouble staying asleep
Difficulty getting up in the morning
Dependency on caffeine
Cravings for salty foods (a.k.a. the “I just ate a whole bag of chips” syndrome)
Cravings for sweet foods
Increased effort required for everyday activities
Intolerance to exercise
Low blood pressure
Feeling faint/dizzy when getting up quickly
Easily startled
Mental fog or trouble concentrating
Alternating diarrhea/constipation
Low blood sugar (often presenting as feeling angry when hungry or, as I like to call it, “hangry”)
Decreased sex drive
Decreased ability to handle stress
Longer healing time
Mild depression
Less enjoyment in life
Feeling worse after skipping meals
Increased premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Reduced ability to make decisions
Reduced productivity
Poor memory

If you have three or more of these symptoms, and if these symptoms developed after experiencing a period of acute or chronic stress, sleep deprivation, an infection, or toxic exposure, chances are that you have adrenal dysfunction.

The anxiety adrenal connection

Anxiety is a hallmark symptom of adrenal dysfunction. When the adrenals are compromised, your resilience to stress starts to go down, and you might start to feel more anxious.

Of course, anxiety and adrenal dysfunction run on a two-way street. Chronic stress and anxiety can tax the adrenals, and weakened adrenals can contribute to feelings of anxiety.^[2]

There’s another connection here that I’d like to highlight, and that is the thyroid. The thyroid is impacted by adrenal function, and anxiety can also be connected to thyroid conditions. In fact, I’ve noticed that up to 50 percent of my clients with anxiety have Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune thyroid condition.

A 2004 study found an association between the presence of a mood or anxiety disorder, and the presence of anti-TPO antibodies (indicating Hashimoto’s).^[3] It also noted that a slight reduction in thyroid hormone secretion (such as that found in subclinical hypothyroidism) may affect mood as well. Therefore, it’s also possible that the anxiety you are feeling is related to your thyroid.

Anxiety solutions: Use the ABC’s

One of the first places to start is with the ABCs of adrenal health – adaptogens, B vitamins, and vitamin C.

Adaptogens both tone down overactive systems and boost underactive systems in the body, and are thought to help normalize the HPA axis. Examples of adaptogenic herbs that may increase the body’s ability to resist stress include: ashwagandha, astragalus, reishi mushroom, dang shen, eleuthero, ginseng, jiaogulan, licorice, maca, schisandra, spikenard, and suma.

Ashwagandha in particular is helpful for stress and anxiety, and it can also support thyroid health. Research supports that ashwagandha may offer antidepressant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits.^[4] It also may reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and even help address sexual dysfunction in women.^[5]

Rhodiola is another favorite for stress support, mood support, and improved sleep. Sometimes referred to as golden root, rhodiola focuses on our nervous system health. Izabella has found it to be helpful for those with depressed cortisol levels (which can happen in later stages of adrenal dysfunction).

One of the main chemicals in rhodiola is salidroside, found to have neuroprotective effects that reduce the impact of stress on the immune system and the neuro-endocrine system.^[6] Studies have found an anti-fatigue effect along with cognitive function improvements, such as memory improvements (during stressful conditions), and it’s also been shown to diminish depressive symptoms.^[7]

B vitamins and vitamin C tend to be depleted during times of stress and high cortisol production. In particular, deficiencies in pantothenic acid and biotin (vitamins in the “B” family), have been linked to decreased adrenal function in animals and humans.^[8]

Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that helps support the adrenals, mitochondria, collagen production, and immune function.^[9] It’s also needed for the production of cortisol.

Supplementing with the ABCs is a really good place to start if you’re experiencing anxiety or adrenal dysfunction.

Balancing blood sugar

One of the most important strategies to reduce your anxiety involves addressing blood sugar issues. Blood sugar swings can put us on an emotional rollercoaster.

After consuming carbohydrate-rich foods, some people find their blood sugar goes up too high, too quickly.

This leads to a rapid, sometimes excessive release of insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels). These insulin surges can cause low blood sugar, which can cause unpleasant symptoms such as anxiety, nervousness, lightheadedness, fatigue, excessive hunger, and “hanger”.^[10]

You can balance your blood sugar by reducing your intake of carbohydrates, and increasing your protein and fat intake. A low-carb or ketogenic diet (a low-carb diet where the body breaks down fats for fuel instead of relying on carbohydrates) could be beneficial for some.

Starting the day off by having a breakfast that is filled with good fats (for example, avocado or coconut milk), as well as a good source of protein, while limiting your intake of sugars (even from fruit). Some options include eggs with avocados, burger patties, or protein and fat-based smoothies. In addition to a good breakfast, eating frequent protein and fat-containing meals and snacks, help to balance your blood sugar throughout the day.

Eat on a schedule to avoid getting “Hangry”

It’s ideal to eat every two to three hours, and avoid high carbohydrate foods, to support balanced blood sugar. This will also help with energy levels, feelings of anxiety, and “hanger”. A typical day would look like this:

Start the day with an energizing Adrenal Kick Start (recipe is in the book), followed by a blood-sugar-balancing breakfast smoothie.
A mid-morning snack/caffeine-free latte/tea/green juice to help with blood sugar, hunger, hormones, and energy levels.
A nourishing and balancing midday lunch.
Another snack/caffeine-free latte/tea/green juice two to three hours later.
An easy-to-digest dinner is scheduled for the early evening to set up for restful sleep.
An optional after dinner snack or tea, to support restful sleep through stable blood sugar levels at night.

Reduce (and ideally eliminate) caffeine

If you’re currently drinking coffee, soda, green tea, or black tea, removing or reducing your intake of caffeine can be helpful for an immediate reduction in anxiety, and is supportive over time to your adrenals.

Some people who are slow metabolizers of caffeine and do not clear it effectively out of their body may not be able to have any caffeine at all – not even chocolate! Others who are fast metabolizers and are able to clear caffeine more quickly from their bodies, may be able to tolerate more daily caffeine without it impacting their anxiety levels.

Regardless of your genes and metabolism of caffeine, the weaker your adrenals and the more unbalanced your blood sugar levels are, the more likely you are to experience anxiety from caffeine. This is because caffeine forces more glucose to be produced by the liver, sending the body on a blood sugar rollercoaster that can trigger anxiety.

If you’re thinking about reducing your caffeine intake, do it gradually over time, instead of quitting cold-turkey, which can cause withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and even vomiting.

There are ways to improve energy levels and sleep before trying to get off caffeine, such as supporting your mitochondria and tuning into the circadian rhythm.

[Trudy’s note: be sure to read my comment above about the need to eliminate caffeine altogether in many instances]

Address low magnesium

Research suggests that a magnesium deficiency may be associated with anxiety. Several studies have found that feelings of fear and panic can be greatly reduced with an increased magnesium intake.^[11] It has even been shown to have a positive effect on both post-traumatic anxiety and premenstrual anxiety, as well.^[12]

Even more interesting, is the understanding that magnesium also controls the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, which is the hub of the body’s stress response system.^[13] This could provide some explanation as to why a magnesium deficiency could lead to increased stress and anxiety when the HPA axis is out of balance. Other signs of a magnesium deficiency include headaches, insomnia, constipation, and menstrual cramps.

A magnesium supplement throughout the day may help, or at bedtime if you have insomnia or a racing mind when you’re trying to fall asleep. The citrate version is best if you tend to be constipated (magnesium citrate has stool softening effects), and I recommend the glycinate version if you tend to have normal bowel movements or diarrhea. Keep in mind that, for some people, magnesium glycinate can worsen anxiety symptoms. If you notice that your anxiety increases after taking magnesium glycinate, try switching to magnesium citrate.

Remove reactive foods

The most common food reactions responsible for anxiety symptoms are due to gluten, dairy, soy, grains (especially corn), sugar, caffeine (as discussed above), and surprisingly to some, nuts.^[14]

Doing targeted food sensitivity testing, or simply a trial of eliminating the suspect foods for a period of time (with an elimination diet), can help you uncover your food triggers.

If anxiety is not resolved using the strategies above, there are many advanced strategies for anxiety support, and the book provides plenty of information and options for testing.

Address copper toxicity

A toxic buildup of copper may be at the root of anxiety, racing thoughts, mood swings, fatigue, and insomnia.^[15] High-copper foods include shellfish, oysters, nuts, seeds, and chocolate. We can also absorb copper from our water and metal pipes and products. Certain medications (oral contraceptives, antacids, copper-rich multivitamins), excess estrogen, copper IUDs, and zinc deficiency can increase our exposure. Many people with adrenal dysfunction have a congested liver, so that is likely one reason copper toxicity is a common root cause.

Reducing copper containing foods, and increase zinc containing foods (non-organ meats, eggs, poultry).

Balance thyroid hormones

Having an excess amount of thyroid hormone can make us extremely anxious, irritable and on edge. This is commonly attributed to Graves’ disease, but can also occur in Hashimoto’s. The ideal TSH for most people is between 0.5-2 μIU/mL. Levels that are too high or too low indicate an imbalance of thyroid hormone levels and have been associated with various symptoms, including anxiety. Work with your doctor to test your thyroid and adjust medication if needed.

Address female hormone imbalances

Estrogen dominance and/or low progesterone may lead to many symptoms like irritability, mood lability, depression, and mood swings.^[16] If tests reveal low progesterone, supplementing with oral or topical bioidentical progesterone might just be the chill pill you need.

Address gut infections

An imbalance of gut bacteria can contribute to mood issues. There are also certain overgrowths and gut infections that can impact anxiety levels. For example, overgrowth of Streptococcus bacteria has been associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder.^[17] The book includes recommendations for further testing that can help you determine if you have an overgrowth or infection.

Address iron toxicity/overload

A buildup of too much iron can cause irritability and depression.^[18] Ferritin levels above 200 ng/dL in women (300 ng/mL in men) can indicate iron toxicity or overload. The book offers several different options for treatment.

Address mold toxicity

There is a big connection between mood issues and mold exposure.^[19] If your symptoms appeared or increased after moving into a new home, there’s a good chance your anxiety may be connected to mold exposure.

Address common nutrient deficiencies

Nutrient deficiencies are common in those with adrenal issues, and could be contributing to feelings of anxiety. Address these important nutrients for mood support: omega-3 fatty acids, folate (vitamin B9), iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.

Address the social anxiety condition called pyroluria

Symptoms of social anxiety have been associated with pyroluria, which is a condition where there are too many pyrrole molecules in your body.^[20] These molecules can deplete your system of essential nutrients that play an important role in mood and adrenal health.

[Trudy’s note: I’m really pleased to see pyroluria mentioned in this book, because it’s not often acknowledged as a condition. I also appreciate the reference, in the pyroluria section, to my work and book, The Antianxiety Food Solution.]

Adrenal Transformation Protocol – for anxiety

Adrenal Transformation Protocol (my Amazon link) provides comprehensive support for the many potential stressors the body can experience, so that you can heal anxiety using a whole body, root-cause approach.

When we address the root causes of adrenal fatigue and anxiety, like blood sugar imbalances, food sensitivities, and nutrient deficiencies, we can increase our resilience and reduce feelings of anxiety!

Adrenal dysfunction often begins after a stressful period in our lives. When the body puts cortisol front and center, rebuilding and repairing go on the backburner, and we can end up with a host of symptoms including fatigue, brain fog, and anxiety.

While most people can bounce back from small stressors, some of us can get caught up in a stress cycle that ends up affecting our physiology. When we are caught in this stress cycle, it throws our hormonal systems out of balance, and leads to us being stuck in “fight or flight” mode. Prolonged “fight or flight” mode eventually leads to burnout, and often contributes to anxiety.

Through years of research, patient study, and work with thousands of clients, my signature protocol has been shown to reverse symptoms of adrenal fatigue. It provides a foundation for optimal health, and can even be one of the keys to resolving anxiety.

In both my own work and Izabella’s, we have found that addressing the adrenals often results in the complete resolution of chronic stress symptoms!

Izabella has experienced multiple bouts of adrenal fatigue and has struggled with anxiety. She realized that her body was responding to the various stress triggers in her environment, and decided to send it safety signals instead, to put it into a healing and rebuilding state. The protocol worked so well for her that she piloted it as a program with a small group in 2020. Despite all of the things that happened in 2020, people reported that the program helped them rebalance their stress response.

Over 3000 people have now completed this protocol, with incredible results, and it’s all in her new book, Adrenal Transformation Protocol (my Amazon link). The book outlines a simple four-week plan to help you recover your adrenal function and resolve symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, depression, and anxiety. The protocol is designed to help you feel calm, strong, excited about life, and brilliant once more!

In addition to reduced brain fog, reduced fatigue, and better sleep, participants reported incredible results in mood – 86 percent reported reduced anxiety and 80 percent reported reduced feelings of nervousness.

Adrenal dysfunction can be a root cause of anxiety. If you’re still experiencing anxiety symptoms and feel like you’ve tried everything, but haven’t yet addressed your adrenal health, I’d highly recommend Adrenal Transformation Protocol (my Amazon link)!

Feel free to share your feedback once you’ve read the book.

Also, let us know if any of the above approaches have helped you address your adrenal issues?

If you have questions and other feedback please share it here too.

^[1] Cook SB. Current Controversy: Does Adrenal Fatigue Exist?. Natural Medicine Journal. 2017;9(10).^[2] Faravelli C, Lo Sauro C, Lelli L, et al. The role of life events and HPA axis in anxiety disorders: a review. Curr Pharm Des. 2012;18(35):5663-5674. doi:10.2174/138161212803530907

^[3] Carta M, Loviselli A, Hardoy M et al. The link between thyroid autoimmunity (antithyroid peroxidase autoantibodies) with anxiety and mood disorders in the community: A field of interest for public health in the future. BMC Psychiatry. 2004;4(1). doi:10.1186/1471-244x-4-25.

^[4] Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(37):e17186. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000017186

^[5] Dongre S, Langade D, Bhattacharyya S. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:284154. doi:10.1155/2015/284154

^[6] Lee Y, Jung JC, Jang S, et al. Anti-Inflammatory and Neuroprotective Effects of Constituents Isolated from Rhodiola rosea. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:514049. doi:10.1155/2013/514049

^[7] Cropley M, Banks AP, Boyle J. The Effects of Rhodiola rosea L. Extract on Anxiety, Stress, Cognition and Other Mood Symptoms. Phytother Res. 2015;29(12):1934-1939. doi:10.1002/ptr.5486

^[8] Pan L, Jaroenporn S, Yamamoto T, et al. Effects of pantothenic acid supplement on secretion of steroids by the adrenal cortex in female rats. Reprod Med Biol. 2011;11(2):101-104. Published 2011 Dec

^[9] Valdés F. Vitamina C [Vitamin C]. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2006;97(9):557-568. doi:10.1016/s0001-7310(06)73466-4

^[10] Mathew P, Thoppil D. Hypoglycemia. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; July 23, 2022.

^[11] Boyle NB, Lawton C, Dye L. The Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Subjective Anxiety and Stress—A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2017 May; 9(5): 429. doi:10.3390/nu9050429.

^[12] Fromm L, Heath DL, Vink R, Nimmo AJ. Magnesium attenuates post-traumatic depression/anxiety following diffuse traumatic brain injury in rats. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004;23(5):529S-533S. doi:10.1080/07315724.2004.10719396

^[13] Sartori SB, Whittle N, Hetzenauer A, Singewald N. Magnesium deficiency induces anxiety and HPA axis dysregulation: modulation by therapeutic drug treatment. Neuropharmacology. 2012;62(1):304-312. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.07.027

^[14] Vatn MH. Food intolerance and psychosomatic experience. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1997;23 Suppl 3:75-78.

^[15] Russo AJ. Decreased zinc and increased copper in individuals with anxiety. Nutr Metab Insights. 2011;4:1-5. Published 2011 Feb 7. doi:10.4137/NMI.S6349

^[16] Glick ID, Bennett SE. Psychiatric complications of progesterone and oral contraceptives. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1981;1(6):350-367. doi:10.1097/00004714-198111000-00003

^[17] Mell LK, Davis RL, Owens D. Association between streptococcal infection and obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette’s syndrome, and tic disorder. Pediatrics. 2005;116(1):56-60. doi:10.1542/peds.2004-2058

^[18] Cutler P. Iron overload and psychiatric illness. Can J Psychiatry. 1994;39(1):8-11. doi:10.1177/070674379403900104

^[19] Harding CF, Pytte CL, Page KG, et al. Mold inhalation causes innate immune activation, neural, cognitive and emotional dysfunction. Brain Behav Immun. 2020;87:218-228. doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2019.11.006

^[20] Mensah A. Mood instability: Pyrrole disorder underlying cause bipolar, DMDD. Mensah Medical. https://www.mensahmedical.com/pyroluria-pyrrole-disorder/. Published July 12, 2016. Accessed February 8, 2023.

GABA and Silexan (an oral lavender product) for anxiety, panic attacks, agoraphobia, insomnia and stressful events like travel/social events

February 24, 2023 By Trudy Scott 29 Comments

When sharing a study on the benefits of Silexan, a proprietary formulation of oral lavender essential oil (used as a supplement), I received this feedback from Kat. She uses both Silexan and GABA with success, depending on the situation:

I used Silexan (CalmAid) here in the USA, for 7 weeks and had wonderful results!!

I was having daily constant panic attacks… agoraphobia and insomnia. They put me on several SSRIs to which I had severe reactions to. The Silexan saved me! I was able to get my life back. I used it nightly and it helped tremendously with sleep and anxiety. I heard about it through The Carlat Report Psych podcast and website after a desperate search to find something to help.

It’s a product that I highly recommend to everyone I know who suffers with anxiety. I now use it only as needed. There are no side effects except a perfume burp but that’s tolerable for me! It can be stopped without any withdrawal effects.

And this is how she responded when I asked if she had previously done a trial of GABA or tryptophan and how Silexan compared to the amino acids.

I use the GABA during times where the panic is increasing (GABA Calm 1/2 tablet, sublingually).

I use the Silexan when I have something stressful planned like travel, social events etc. Silexan works so well without any side effects and can be stopped without any withdrawal effects.

The GABA is an immediate effect vs the Silexan which is slower acting but lasts throughout the day.

What wonderful results for Kat. I thanked her for sharing and voiced my concern with CalmAid and some of the other products that contain Silexan: they contain canola oil. I just wish they stopped making this with canola oil! I share more about this below and another product option that doesn’t use canola oil.

GABA or Silexan? Kat’s sweet spot, serotonin and pyroluria

If you’re wondering where you should start – GABA or Silexan? If you’ve been following my work or even starting to use GABA, you’ll know I always start clients with GABA when they have low GABA symptoms of physical anxiety and tension.

I agree with Kat – it’s very typical for GABA to provide immediate results. I did also share with her that in order to get longer lasting effects GABA does need to be used 3-4 x day, between meals. This means that, for her, GABA may offer similar results to Silexan by slowly building up her GABA levels.

However, Kat has found the sweet spot she needs by using this combination so I would stick with this approach.

If she did decide to stop using Silexan in the future, tryptophan may be needed too – for low serotonin worry-type anxiety symptoms. She did mention that she doesn’t currently use tryptophan and Silexan also affects serotonin levels.

I do love that Kat plans for stressful events and uses Silexan in these situations. She does mention needing it for social events so I’d suggest looking into pyroluria too. More here on this social anxiety condition and how zinc, vitamin B6 and other key nutrients can help.

Kat’s dietary changes, no caffeine, no sugar and cravings?

I also asked if she has also made dietary changes and quit caffeine, alcohol and sugar. Kat shared that she doesn’t drink any caffeine and hasn’t since 2015. Good for her – caffeine is a major anxiety trigger. She does recognize that her anxiety gets worse when she’s eating a lot of processed foods/gluten/dairy/soy and she limits these.

I said it’s best to avoid these trigger foods altogether. This is often easier said than done! The amino acids help so much to break the addiction and eliminate the need to use willpower: GABA for stress-eating, tryptophan or 5-HTP if her cravings happen mostly in the afternoon and evening, and DPA if comfort foods are her reward. More on the amino acids and cravings here.

I thanked Kat for sharing her wonderful results and asked for permission to share as a blog. I always appreciate being able to do this so I can continue to educate and inspire. This also shows how there is no-one size fits all.

Silexan research on anxiety and insomnia

This is the study I shared on Facebook – Prescription of Silexan Is Associated with Less Frequent General Practitioner Repeat Consultations Due to Disturbed Sleep Compared to Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists: A Retrospective Database Analysis

The prescription of Silexan to adult patients consulting general practitioners (GPs) for disturbed sleep results in less frequent repeat consultations than Z-drugs (including zolpidem, zopiclone, and zaleplon).

This may support Silexan’s role as an efficacious, self-enabling, well-tolerated, and sustained treatment option.

Because Silexan is a proven anxiolytic, its impact in improving undiagnosed anxiety disorders may have had a lasting effect for certain patients.

As explained in this same paper, “Silexan is an active substance with an essential oil produced from Lavandula angustifolia flowers.” It’s a proprietary lavender oil that complies with and exceeds the European Pharmacopoeia quality definition for the monograph lavender oil. “Several studies have shown positive effects of Silexan on symptoms of subsyndromal/mild anxiety or GAD [generalized anxiety disorder] compared to conventional treatment or placebo groups.”

Silexan and other oral lavender products

The proprietary product of Silexan, with 80mg of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil, is found in a number of products:

Nature’s Way CalmAid ® (this is the product Kat used/uses)
Integrative Therapeutics Lavela ™
Seremind ® (in Australia)

This supplement, NFH Lavender SAP, does not use the proprietary Silexan but does contain 80mg of organic lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil. This product is my preference since it contains olive oil and not canola oil like the others mentioned above.

All of the above are available in my online supplement store (for US purchases only). Nature’s Way CalmAid ® is also available on iherb.

Dosing recommendations for adults is 1 softgel once or twice daily with a full glass of water. There is a caution not to use while pregnant, nursing, or for children under 12 years of age.

GABA for anxiety, insomnia, sugar cravings, sensorimotor skills and immunity

I share case studies and research about GABA all the time so I’ll just share links to some of the past GABA blogs in case you’re new to GABA (a calming amino acid and neurotransmitter):

Resources if you are new to using GABA and other amino acids as supplements

If you are new to using GABA or any of the other 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, self-medicating with alcohol and more.

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.

Have you found that an oral lavender product such as Silexan (used as a supplement) helps with your anxiety, panic attacks and/or sleep?

Have you used the NFH Lavender SAP product with similar success to other Silexan products?

Do you also use the amino acid GABA (sublingually) and in what situations do you use GABA vs oral lavender?

How much of each do you use?

If you have other questions and feedback please share them here too.

My 6 year old was having panic attacks getting out of the car for Kindergarten: GABA has completely relieved him of his fears

January 27, 2023 By Trudy Scott 12 Comments

My 6 year old son was having panic attacks getting out of the car going to Kindergarten and taking two GABA Calm has completely relieved him of his fears. He has been going for 3 straight weeks in a row.

I thought it may be low serotonin since this happened last winter as well but I gave him 5-HTP for a couple months and it didn’t seem to affect him and his anxiety. We had to have him repeat Kinder this year.

But wow, the GABA has been fabulous and Kindergarten is in full swing because of your help.

This is from Lisa, a mom in the community. I never get tired of getting feedback like this – how wonderful for this young boy and his family. She shared this very positive outcome on one of the GABA blogs, asking this question (which I address below):

Quick question…does the GABA have to be taken on an empty stomach to work? We try to give it as soon as he is awake and wait to eat for 15-20 mins but sometimes it’s not possible.

The timing of GABA and tracking symptoms

I share that GABA is best taken on an empty stomach and ideally 30 minutes away from protein-containing food. But I also say that the way she is having him use it is clearly working for him. In a situation like this it’s simple enough to track the outcome on days they do wait 15-20 mins and on days when it’s not possible to wait the 15-20 mins (and make a note of how close to food he does take GABA). How is his anxiety, fears and panic attacks in these two situations?

Lisa shared that GABA works well in both instances:

We will keep doing the no food for 15-20 minutes after taking it because it is obviously working. We’ve only had it happen where he eats after about 5 mins and it seems to still do the job.

This sounds like a great plan. If they can, I would also do a trial waiting the full 30 minutes and see how he does on those days. She may find with the longer duration he only needs one GABA Calm.

It may also be that because GABA is being used in a sublingual manner like this, it can be used closer to food. Perhaps a trial right after food is worthwhile. I’m sure it will reduce some of the early morning stress and rush getting ready for Kindergarten.

I also confirmed with her that he is using the Source Naturals GABA Calm product. This is the sublingual product (with just 125mg of GABA and a few other ingredients) that I have so much success with. You can read more about it here – Source Naturals GABA Calm™: Why I recommend it for anxiety.

The school is in shock at how well carpooling is going for him

I love that the school is now in shock and that this mom went with her instinct and pulled him out of school the first year his fears showed up:

We just got a call from the school today and they are in shock at how well carpooling is going for him. They wanted to know what I was doing, ha! He had been a star student so they were shocked when he started to have meltdowns and panic attacks, running away and into traffic about 3 months into school. We deal with a bit of ADHD at home (it’s manageable with the diet) but anxiety is what most see on the outside.

We are repeating Kindergarten because half way through last year he started to panic getting out of the car. The previous school wanted to grab him out of the car and have me drive off. They said he would calm down better without me. What? Just what I want to do is traumatize my child at the start of his academic life. I pulled him and we waited since he was on the younger side and put him in a fabulous charter school this year.

The GABA has taken all those fears out and has been a huge bridge for him to get to school.

I do hope Lisa told the school exactly what he’s doing with GABA and how quickly it’s helped him. So many children are struggling with anxiety and mental health issues and could do with nutritional support like GABA and some of the dietary changes he had made before using GABA (more on that below).

5-HTP didn’t help and why a switch to tryptophan may have helped

You’ll notice she mentioned that 5-HTP had not helped the previous year:

I thought it may be low serotonin since this happened last winter as well but I gave him 5-HTP for a couple months and it didn’t seem to affect him and his anxiety.

Fear and panic attacks are common with low serotonin so it’s good that she did a trial of 5-HTP. Here are some of my insights:

I would not have someone use 5-HTP for a couple of months – the amino acids work quickly so a week or possibly two should be enough to decide whether to continue or stop
You always want to increase until you find the ideal dose. I’m not sure how Lisa approached this aspect.
When there are low serotonin symptoms and 5-HTP doesn’t work, we switch to tryptophan. 5-HTP works well for some and tryptophan works better for others. You can see all the low serotonin symptoms here

It’s possible her son may still benefit from additional serotonin support. Or it may be that the GABA is all he needs. With ADHD it may be worth investigating tyrosine too.

Dietary changes: gluten, dairy, phenols and high histamine foods

It’s important to always address the foundational diet so I checked with Lisa about dietary changes. This is key to not needing long-term GABA supplementation (once other causes of low GABA are addressed – such as Lyme disease, phthalates, aspartame, gut health etc). She shared this about his diet:

He has always been gluten free and dairy free (only goats milk as a baby). We follow the Feingold Diet and try to stay away from high histamine foods as it causes his anger and anxiety to be worse.

It’s great she has made these foundational dietary changes with gluten and dairy – both can exacerbate mood issues. The Feingold diet eliminates phenols. Both phenols and high histamine foods can be problematic for many children too, as she reports.

All these dietary factors are so key but even then additional neurotransmitter support is often needed and in this instance it’s GABA that he clearly needs. Because of his issue with histamines it’s possible he may not have tolerated pharmaGABA (a fermented GABA) so GABA Calm was a good first choice for the initial trial.

Pyroluria testing – why I often don’t use this urine test

I know he has some imbalances so we need to do an OAT test and pyroluria test (I have pyroluria so I know he is bound to have it). Money is the issue at the moment so the GABA chewables have been a true lifesaver. I can’t thank you enough!

I let her know that I don’t often have clients do the urine test for pyroluria because of the false negatives. He’s doing really well but children with pyroluria are really good at masking and pushing through (and so are adults, as I’m sure Lisa already knows). The pyroluria protocol (zinc, vitamin B6 and evening primrose oil) provide raw materials for neurotransmitter production and can help with ADHD symptoms too. We simply do a trial of the protocol when symptoms exist and determine if they are helping.

I love her comment: “the GABA chewables have been a true lifesaver.” This and the outcome for this 6 year old is the reason I love the amino acids. They offer incredible results and relief from anxiety, fears and panic attacks, while you are working through testing (like the OAT and others) and other contributing root causes.

I said her feedback is really inspiring and I’d love to share it as a blog post for other families. She kindly responded with this:

You can definitely write up a blog post about it. If I can help other families going through the same thing it was all worth it. If you have any other questions don’t hesitate to ask. Thank you again for sharing all your knowledge.

I appreciate her willingness to post their success and her permission to share as a blog post.

Resources if you are new to using GABA and other amino acids as supplements

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.

Have one of your children experienced similar results with GABA offering relief for anxiety, fears and panic attacks? Which GABA product helped your child and how much helped?

When using sublingual or chewable GABA products like GABA Calm, have you found the timing in relation to foods being important?

What dietary changes has your child also made and how have they helped?

If you have questions and feedback please share them here too.