{"id":9702,"date":"2021-06-11T14:00:42","date_gmt":"2021-06-11T21:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=9702"},"modified":"2025-09-11T13:39:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T20:39:11","slug":"using-both-tryptophan-and-gaba-supplements-together-for-easing-anxiety-questions-and-answers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/using-both-tryptophan-and-gaba-supplements-together-for-easing-anxiety-questions-and-answers\/","title":{"rendered":"Using both tryptophan and GABA supplements together for easing anxiety: questions and answers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"tryptophan<\/p>\n

I get many questions about using both tryptophan and GABA supplements together for easing anxiety and today I\u2019m sharing some of these questions and my answers. This will also give you the opportunity to ask questions you may have related to using both these amino acids together. You\u2019ll also read about some reasons for the confusion about when to use GABA vs tryptophan, some success stories and some research.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with this question since it\u2019s one that I get asked many many times:<\/p>\n

Should one use GABA and tryptophan together for helping with anxiety symptoms?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I have many clients who need and use both but it\u2019s because they have low GABA and also have low serotonin, both driving different types of anxiety symptoms. It\u2019s important to recognize that each amino acid supplement addresses a very different set of symptoms.<\/p>\n

With low GABA levels they will have physical anxiety, tension, stiff and tense muscles and often self-medicate with alcohol in order to relax. Sleep may also be a problem with lying awake feeling tense. Because they also have low serotonin they will have the worry-in-the head type of anxiety, ruminations, and obsessions. They may also have panic attacks, negativity, anger, irritability, PMS, TMJ, lack of confidence and insomnia. (Here is a list of all the low serotonin and low GABA symptoms).<\/p>\n

You should only use GABA and tryptophan together if you have both low GABA and low serotonin symptoms.\u00a0 This will address these particular root causes.<\/p>\n

My anxiety has improved significantly with GABA, should I also try tryptophan\/5-HTP?<\/h2>\n

This is another common question I get about using tryptophan and GABA supplements together (paraphrased from one of the blog comments so I could share my feedback here):<\/p>\n

I\u2019m using GABA and my anxiety has improved significantly, however, the anxiety I feel in my body immediately upon waking is still bothersome. What would you recommend for the anxiety in my body on waking (that improves when I get out of bed, start moving around and as the day progresses)?<\/p>\n

Could I try 5-HTP\/tryptophan in addition to GABA?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We always want to capitalize on what is already working. GABA has improved her anxiety significantly, so I\u2019d want to have her figure out how much it\u2019s improved (for example from say 10\/10 with 10 being worse to 5\/10 with the GABA). Then we\u2019d bump up the GABA to see if additional gains are seen. This could mean a higher dose at night and could also mean a small dose in the morning on waking. And then figure out the improvement and adjust up again if needed.<\/p>\n

There is no reason why she shouldn\u2019t try either tryptophan or 5-HTP too but only if she also has other low serotonin symptoms other than morning anxiety. And also, only once she has established the ideal dose for the GABA. She mentions \u201cthe anxiety in my body\u201d so I suspect it\u2019s the low GABA physical-tension type of anxiety. We often see low GABA and low serotonin go hand in hand so it\u2019s very likely she\u2019ll also benefit from serotonin support too.<\/p>\n

Some reasons for the confusion about when to use GABA vs tryptophan<\/h2>\n

One reason for this confusion is that there are many combination products on the market that contain both GABA and tryptophan (and other nutrients). The company is trying to make a one-size-fits-all product in the hope it will help many folks. The problem is that it\u2019s not individualized to your unique needs \u2013 which may be low GABA or low serotonin or both. Even if it is low GABA and low serotonin that you suffer from, a combination product may not work if, for example, you need a very small amount of GABA and need a much higher dose of tryptophan.<\/p>\n

Another reason is that many well-meaning practitioners do not help their client\/patients make the distinction between low serotonin and low GABA symptoms. This happens because they often don\u2019t understand this either.<\/p>\n

Another reason is that many folks jump in and start using these amino acids without really understanding how and why they work, how to use them and what to look out for. It\u2019s why I highly recommend that everyone planning to use them reads my book first, The Antianxiety Food Solution<\/a>.<\/p>\n

GABA and tryptophan have helped immensely with ruminating thoughts and PTSD – can I stay on them indefinitely?<\/h2>\n

KJ posted these great results and her question on the blog:<\/p>\n

Hi Trudy, I love your blogs and I\u2019ve read your book, The Anti-Anxiety Food Solution \u2013 excellent! I have been taking GABA and tryptophan for about 6 months and they have helped me immensely with ruminating thoughts and PTSD. Sometimes I try to go off GABA and Tryptophan for a day or two, but the ruminating thoughts come back, so my question is, can I stay on GABA and Tryptophan indefinitely? I am 59, have no health problems and take no prescription medications.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s super to hear GABA and tryptophan have helped with her ruminating thoughts and symptoms of PTSD. I shared that there is no research on long-term use and we should always keep looking for the reasons serotonin and GABA are low and try to address these. Since she has my book I assume she has also implemented all the diet recommendations (no gluten, no caffeine, no sugar, eating for blood sugar control etc), addressed her gut health (candida, parasites, digestive enzymes etc) and looked at low zinc and low vitamin B6 too. There are many other factors to consider – I list 60+ nutritional and biochemical causes of anxiety here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jessica says GABA and tryptophan have been life-changing<\/h2>\n

Here is some feedback from Jessica about how GABA and tryptophan has been life-changing for her \u2013 and in only a matter of weeks:<\/p>\n

I started taking Gaba and tryptophan about 3 weeks ago after reading about the benefits on this page. It\u2019s been life changing!<\/p>\n

I take 1000mg tryptophan at night and 100mg GABA in the morning. Ruminations and obsessive thoughts are almost non-existent now. I have less tension in the jaw and neck. I feel like I\u2019m able to deal with everyday stressors that were overwhelming me prior to starting these supplements.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

She started with the tryptophan and added the GABA after about a week.<\/p>\n

Jessica clearly had both low serotonin and low GABA symptoms. The ruminations, obsessive thoughts and overwhelm were likely related to low serotonin. The jaw and neck tension are classic low GABA but serotonin support also helps with TMJ too<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Paula would not be able to sleep without GABA and tryptophan<\/h2>\n

Paula shared this feedback on the blog post where I write about GABA, Heartmath and EFT easing Micki\u2019s mold-induced anxiety and panic attacks<\/a>:<\/p>\n

This was an interesting article because I use both GABA and Tryptophan and would not be able to sleep if I did not use them. I have also had chronic mold exposure. It never occurred to me that the reason I have to take these things in order to sleep is due to the mold in my system.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Toxic mold can impact neurotransmitter production and GABA and tryptophan can provide some relief while the mold is being addressed.<\/p>\n

Some research where tryptophan and GABA have been used with success<\/h2>\n

Here is some research where tryptophan and GABA (and similar amino acids) have been used with success:<\/p>\n