{"id":5931,"date":"2017-03-17T14:00:58","date_gmt":"2017-03-17T21:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=5931"},"modified":"2025-09-11T13:43:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T20:43:48","slug":"anxiety-gaba-tryptophan-how-much","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/anxiety-gaba-tryptophan-how-much\/","title":{"rendered":"Anxiety: when to use GABA and tryptophan and how much to use"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

When you have anxiety it can be confusing trying to figure out the root cause. I like to start by assessing for low GABA and low serotonin because when you address these with targeted individual amino acids you typically see results right away and feel hopeful (and now have time to look for other root causes like gluten issues, high cortisol, gut issues, dietary changes etc).<\/p>\n

But there may still be some confusion about when to use GABA and when to use tryptophan and how much of each of these amino acids to use.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d like to share a question I received on this blog: I am on 5-HTP for anxiety and I am wondering about trying tryptophan instead<\/a>\u00a0and my response so you have a clearer understanding of this:<\/p>\n

I have started with Source Naturals GABA Calm 125 mg, 2 on awakening and two in mid-afternoon, and 2 GABA Relaxer at bedtime. It has taken some anxiety edge away from me, but I still feel some anxiety on and off, not so severe as before. I used to feel very anxious on awakening. I want to improve more.<\/p>\n

Today, I ordered Lidtke L-trytophan 500mg and am expecting to receive it in a week. I plan to take 2 Gaba Calm on awakening and 2 in mid-afternoon, then add one 500mg Trytophan mid-afternoon and one 500 mg trytophan at bed time.<\/p>\n

Is this a good plan? Or shall I have 2 GABA Calm on awakening, 2 trytophan mid-afternoon and 2 trytophan at bedtime.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s an excellent question and this is my feedback (with some additional information here for this blog post)<\/p>\n

Firstly I\u2019m so pleased to hear the GABA products has taken some of the anxiety edge away.<\/p>\n

I would expect this when someone has the low GABA type of anxiety and hear this all the time despite the fact I continue to be asked the blood brain barrier question and does GABA really work as a supplement.<\/p>\n

There is also no specific formula to be followed because each person is different and when I\u2019m working with someone we\u2019re figuring out what is working and why and adjusting accordingly. If something is working we continue with that until no additional benefits are seen.<\/p>\n

Ask yourself what low GABA anxiety symptoms (this is the physical anxiety) have improved with the GABA and how much (rate each one before \u2013 out of 10; and what are they now \u2013 out of 10).<\/p>\n

From your question it sounds like they could improve more \u2013 so if we were working together I\u2019d continue to increase GABA before adding something new. I\u2019d do this until the low GABA symptoms are resolved or until no additional benefits are observed.<\/p>\n

Remember when it comes to brain chemical imbalances and anxiety we have 3 anxiety types<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Low GABA anxiety type (physical anxiety, more stiff and tense muscles)<\/li>\n
  2. Low serotonin anxiety type (mental anxiety, ruminations, negative self-talk, worry)<\/li>\n
  3. Low blood sugar anxiety type (physical anxiety, but more shaky)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    You need to figure out which type of anxiety you are experiencing and address that. It can be different for each person but it\u2019s not uncommon to experience all of the above.<\/p>\n

    Once that has been done and we have the ideal amount of GABA and no more low GABA anxiety symptoms I\u2019d then check what low serotonin symptoms my client has (these are the busy mind, ruminations type or worry anxiety).<\/p>\n

    If she does have some of these symptoms, we pick one or two symptoms and do a trial with 1 x 500mg tryptophan opened on to the tongue (or less if she\u2019s super sensitive). She rates the symptoms out of 10 before the tryptophan trial and then after the trial. Depending on how she responds on the trial, we\u2019ll decide if she needs 1 or 2 x 500mg mid-afternoon and evening. The bedtime dose also depends on how bad the insomnia is. We continue to increase as needed based on symptoms until she has no more low serotonin type symptoms or until no additional benefits are observed.<\/p>\n

    All the while we are starting to make other changes \u2013 like diet, eating for blood sugar balance (this and using glutamine helps with the low blood sugar anxiety type), no caffeine, no sugar, looking for high cortisol, no gluten, looking at gut health and for other nutritional deficiencies.<\/p>\n

    Here are some links to additional resources related to the above:<\/p>\n