{"id":10143,"date":"2022-01-21T14:00:05","date_gmt":"2022-01-21T22:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=10143"},"modified":"2022-01-21T10:52:18","modified_gmt":"2022-01-21T18:52:18","slug":"gaba-helps-14-year-old-with-tourettes-syndrome-the-tics-and-sleep-and-tyrosine-makes-him-happier-and-his-mind-sharper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/gaba-helps-14-year-old-with-tourettes-syndrome-the-tics-and-sleep-and-tyrosine-makes-him-happier-and-his-mind-sharper\/","title":{"rendered":"GABA helps 14-year-old with Tourette\u2019s Syndrome (the tics and sleep), and tyrosine makes him happier and his mind sharper"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"gaba<\/p>\n

We typically associate low GABA, a calming neurotransmitter, with a physical-type of tension- anxiety that also often affects sleep. However there is evidence that low GABA is also a factor in other conditions. One of these conditions is Tourette\u2019s Syndrome, which is characterized by the presence of chronic tics which can be motor\/movement and vocal. In today\u2019s blog I share some research that suggests a deficit in GABAergic transmission may contribute to symptoms in Tourette\u2019s and a case study where a teenage boy found relief from his tics when using the amino acid GABA as a supplement. GABA also improved his sleep. He also made some dietary changes – no gluten, no sugar and no caffeine – and supplemented with magnesium and melatonin. The amino acid tyrosine, used as a supplement, also improved his low mood and focus, both of which can be issues with Tourette\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Kim, a mom in this community, shared this wonderful feedback about her son in response to a Facebook post a few years ago:<\/p>\n

Because of your book, I started using GABA for my 14-year-old son with moderate to severe Tourette\u2019s Syndrome, and the results have been significant. Highly recommended for tics, and sleep for these individuals. Thank you.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I asked her how much GABA he used and how often and she shared this:<\/p>\n

He used 750mg GABA nightly before bed, and if tics are really active then additional 300mg. Lots of water and a balanced diet with no caffeine…. life-saver.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Keep in mind that 750mg is considered a high dose. We typically start with 125mg GABA and increase based on each person\u2019s unique needs. There is the temptation to think \u201cI have tics and this is a very severe condition so I need a high dose to start.\u201d You don\u2019t want to be thinking like this. Some people may not need this much and others may need this high dose. We always use the trial method to figure out the ideal dose.<\/p>\n

She also shared that when he added tyrosine, he saw benefits from that amino acid supplement too:<\/p>\n

He recently added 300mg of l-tyrosine, and it promotes happiness and a sharper mind, due to brain fog. He says he really notices a difference. He has read your book as well.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How wonderful is this? GABA helped reduce his tics and improved his sleep, and tyrosine improved his mood and focus.<\/p>\n

I love that he\u2019s read my book – good for him and this mom! It\u2019s never too early to have you and your child read this information. It\u2019s empowering for them so they understand the changes they need to make and why these amino acids, dietary changes and elimination of caffeine make such a difference.<\/p>\n

I recently checked in to see how he is doing now and asked what other nutritional approaches helped\/help other than GABA, a balanced diet and no caffeine. She shared this:<\/p>\n

He\u2019s gluten free, magnesium for sure for the muscle tics, and melatonin for good sleep (Touretters need a routine sleep schedule).<\/p>\n

He\u2019s 18 now and is doing way better as he matures, but GABA no doubt has improved his life. We promote GABA and educate others as much as possible.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

All this is so great to hear and I love that they now help to educate others about GABA too.<\/p>\n

I appreciate that she gave me permission to share, hence this post. (The image above is a stock image and not her son.)<\/p>\n

Tourette\u2019s Syndrome and reduced GABA function<\/h2>\n

This paper, Reduced GABAergic inhibition and abnormal sensory symptoms in children with Tourette syndrome<\/em><\/a>, describes the condition and the role of reduced GABA function:<\/p>\n

Tourette Syndrome is characterized by the presence of chronic tics. Individuals with Tourette Syndrome often report difficulty with ignoring (habituating to) tactile sensations, and some patients perceive that this contributes to a “premonitory urge” to tic. While common, the physiological basis of impaired tactile processing in Tourette Syndrome, and indeed tics themselves, remain poorly understood.<\/p>\n

It has been well established that GABAergic processing plays an important role in shaping the neurophysiological response to tactile stimulation. Furthermore, there are multiple lines of evidence suggesting that a deficit in GABAergic transmission may contribute to symptoms found in Tourette Syndrome.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In this study, the authors used testing (magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and tasks that were vibrotactile (the perception of vibration through touch) to investigate the role of GABA and atypical sensory processing in these 8-12-year old children with Tourette Syndrome.<\/p>\n

They found the following:<\/p>\n