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If you are prone to laryngospasm, <\/em>\u201cchoking\u201d episodes and swallowing problems (also known as dysphagia), it makes sense to keep GABA powder on hand (and in a number of locations) and to find the ideal dose for your unique needs since what works for one person may be too little or too much for you. In today\u2019s blog, I share Shawna\u2019s experience with choking episodes, stridor and panic, and how GABA helped her very quickly. She applied some of what she had read about in this recent blog post: Paroxysmal laryngospasm with low GABA physical-tension-type-anxiety: Is GABA powder rubbed on the inside of the cheek a solution?<\/a><\/p>\n Her results were profound (as you\u2019ll read about below, and in her own words) but she could have been better prepared with GABA powder and her dosing was not ideal. I share my insights and advice for her and for you if you are prone to similar episodes.<\/p>\n This is how she describes her choking episodes:<\/p>\n I too experience \u201cchoking\u201d episodes\/laryngospasm. For me it seems my throat reflex doesn\u2019t kick in quick enough and liquid (often just saliva) will go down the wrong way. It can even happen just as I\u2019m falling asleep. Then my throat seems to close and stridor ensues where I can barely wheeze any air in. It definitely sets off panic in me. The length of the episode is likely only a few minutes but it feels much longer. I\u2019d say it can happen 4 or 5x\/year for me.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Shortly after reading the above blog post, Shawna had an episode. She shares this:<\/p>\n This situation actually just happened again to me today, I was sitting on the couch and had a bit of a reflux burp and then all of a sudden \u2026 \u201cI can\u2019t get air in.\u201d Luckily I had read Trudy\u2019s article (and am so glad I did! It was good to know I am not alone, and there were possible solutions. It is more common than I thought).<\/p>\n When the stridor happens my adrenaline kicks in, and I really can\u2019t think straight. I did know I needed to go to the kitchen and get my GABA though. Initially I could only find the lozenge, so I rubbed that inside my cheek as I was searching for the capsule.<\/p>\n Once I got the capsule open, I shook some on my finger and rubbed it into my cheek, then I just dumped the rest of the 750 mg GABA capsule right under my tongue.<\/p>\n In a matter of seconds (literally just a couple!) the stridor released, and I could get air in!!! WOW! It really works! I have never had an episode clear that quickly before. I am literally amazed and so very grateful. I will carry GABA powder with me wherever I go now. Thank you SO much Trudy! <3<\/p>\n I am eternally grateful for you sharing this trick, it feels almost life-saving to me!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n She also shared what she experienced 45 minutes after dumping 750mg GABA onto her tongue. It stopped the stridor and choking but she had a mild adverse effect:<\/p>\n Within 45 minutes after taking the GABA today, I felt so sleepy \u2013 like I needed to sleep, then a weird sensation of heartbeat irregularity and almost like an adrenaline rush that lasted about 5 minutes. Strange!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n I thanked her for sharing and said how wonderful to hear about her very quick response. I also asked about sharing her success in a future blog post on this topic. She said yes. I appreciate this opportunity to share a powerful success story with GABA and\u00a0 to use some of her story as a way to educate my community and hopefully also help her further.<\/p>\n These episodes started over 15 years ago and she had mentioned this to the doctor years ago, saying she had stridor from choking. However, because it was so irregular, the doctor never suggested any testing.<\/p>\n She also shared that she does have symptoms of both low GABA (feeling worried\/fearful, unable to relax, insomnia, overactive brain) and low serotonin (anxiety, perfectionism, anxiety that is worse in the winter, disturbed sleep, self-criticism, TMJ). More on this below.<\/p>\n I shared that for folks who are prone to these kinds of episodes I recommend keeping GABA powder on hand in various places in the home and when out and about. This could look like little containers of GABA powder in the bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen, handbag, gym bag and even in the car.<\/p>\n I also recommend telling family members about the GABA powder and where it\u2019s kept so as to be prepared in the instance of a more severe episode. You can also demonstrate how they can help you – by tipping some GABA powder into the palm of their hand and holding it out for you or even putting some on the inside of your cheek if needed.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re the parent or caregiver, you can also do this for your child or the person you\u2019re caring for i.e. rub some GABA powder on the inside of the cheek.<\/p>\n The sleepiness and then weird symptoms (heartbeat irregularity and adrenaline-like rush) after the GABA is likely due to the very high dose of 750mg. I typically start clients on 125mg and there is a large variation in dosing, as explained in this blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n Shawna\u2019s adverse symptoms only lasted 5 minutes but they can be experienced for up to 30-60 minutes in some folks.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to find the ideal dose for your choking or swallowing episodes. You do this with the trial method, starting low and increasing based on your unique needs. This may mean you won\u2019t get optimal results the first few times.<\/p>\n Another option is to do what Shawna did and use a relatively high dose initially and so you do get results. And then use less the next time if you get adverse effects from too much GABA.<\/p>\n I prefer the former approach – starting low and slow. Typical is 125mg GABA (and less for very sensitive folks) and increasing frequency and or dosing to 250mg after a week of tracking results. And continuing up from there or backing down if adverse effects are seen.<\/p>\n Consistent use of GABA is key especially when there are other low GABA symptoms. Shawna mentions feeling worried\/fearful, being unable to relax, experiencing insomnia, and having an overactive brain.<\/p>\n Being consistent with GABA – daily use and a few times a day based on your needs – will raise GABA levels and hopefully prevent or at least reduce future choking or swallowing episodes.<\/p>\n Shawna also shared that she currently takes 100mg of GABA in a sleep remedy. Based on my experience this isn\u2019t enough for her needs. The fact that it is part of a sleep remedy makes it challenging to adjust up and down as needed. For this reason I like a GABA-only or GABA-theanine product.<\/p>\n She does have plans on ordering the GABA Calm lozenges<\/a>\u00a0for daytime use to \u201csee if that has an overall decrease in my GABA symptoms.\u201d <\/em>She did however voice her concerns about Calm Calm not being GABA-only and how she\u2019d respond to the taurine and tyrosine in them. This is a valid concern and a trial will provide the answer.<\/p>\n She also feels it\u2019s difficult to find a GABA-only product in such a low dose. My feedback is to get a GABA powder and simply measure out the dose she requires with a tiny measuring spoon or use the 750mg GABA capsules she has, opened and divided into smaller doses.<\/p>\n GABA is always more effective as a powder or used by opening a capsule.<\/p>\n As always, a full functional workup is important to identify all possible triggers and address them.<\/p>\n And be sure to also get a diagnosis, keeping in mind that can be challenging. And keep your doctor informed about GABA and other supplement use.<\/p>\n Shawna also mentions low serotonin-type symptoms: worry-type of anxiety, perfectionism, anxiety that is worse in the winter, disturbed sleep (this can be caused by low serotonin and low GABA), self-criticism and TMJ.<\/p>\n She would need to do a similar trial with tryptophan or 5-HTP to address these low serotonin symptoms<\/a>. I recommend trialing one amino acid at a time.<\/p>\n She would also need to work with someone to investigate why she has low GABA and low serotonin and also address these triggers (such as gluten issues, leaky gut, low zinc, low B6, parasites, pyroluria, toxins, sugar\/alcohol and so on).<\/p>\n If you are new to paroxysmal laryngospasm here is a good definition:<\/p>\n One type of reactive airway obstruction is paroxysmal laryngospasm, which is a rare laryngeal disease in adults. In this condition, the throat is completely closed due to some form of hypersensitivity or a protective laryngeal reflex causing a transient, complete inability to breathe. Paroxysmal laryngospasm onset in patients is often characterized by a sudden and complete inability to breathe, along with voice loss or hoarseness and stridor. Paroxysmal laryngospasm usually lasts from several seconds to several minutes and may be accompanied by obvious causes such as upper respiratory tract infection, emotional agitation or tension, and\/or severe coughing.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n I wrote about some of the research, hysterical stridor in adult females who are anxious and\/or depressed, and my personal use of GABA during a laryngospasm episode in this blog – Paroxysmal laryngospasm with low GABA physical-tension-type-anxiety: Is GABA powder rubbed on the inside of the cheek a solution?<\/a>.<\/p>\nKeep GABA powder handy<\/h2>\n
Find the ideal dose for your choking episodes<\/h2>\n
Consistent use for prevention and easing anxiety<\/h2>\n
Address low serotonin-type anxiety with tryptophan too<\/h2>\n
In case you\u2019re new to paroxysmal laryngospasm and stridor<\/h2>\n