GABA, “aka: gama-aminobutyric acid,” is the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain that helps inhibit over-excitement. When you are irritable, cranky, anxious, or experience feelings of nervousness over an extended period of time, your body physically reacts.
- * Anxiety, irritability, nervousness
- * Unexplained Aches & Pains
- * Poor Sleep
- * Lack Of Concentration
- * Lightheadedness
- * Upset Stomach
Not only is it important to take care of your physical health, but your mental health, too. This is often referred to as the mind/body connection!
Proper levels of GABA promote clarity, calmness, & an overall sense of well-being.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Suggested Dosage ~ Nervous Irritablity & Restlessness
Take 2 capsules twice daily – not exceeding 6 capsules per day, or as directed by a health care professional.
Suggested Dosage ~ For Relief Of Occassional Sleeplessness
Take 2 capsules 15-30 minutes right before bedtime or as directed by a health care professional.
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Ingredients in GABA COMPLEX (GABA Calm):
Phenibut:
Also known as “4-Amino-3-Phenylbutyric Acid,” Phenibut is a non-prescription pharmaceutical that is actually a GABA molecule with the addition of a phenyl group. Russian researchers discovered that by changing GABA into 4-Amino-3-Phenylbutyric Acid, it was able to cross more easily into the nervous system & across the blood-brain barrier. Since it is a GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, derivative, Phenibut increases GABA levels.
The most widely distributed neurotransmitter in the brain, GABA is involved in 40-50% of all brain synapses. The basal ganglia, a complex group of nerve control centers in each 1/2 of the brain, is where GABA is the most concentrated. The basal ganglia is involved in cognition, movement coordination & voluntary movement. GABA also resides in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, cortex,
amygdala, & thalamus.
As stated before, it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which means it blocks nerve impulses. GABA is like a speed bump for nerve transmissions – slowing things down. As the brain becomes stimulated, it can quickly make a mountain out of a mole hill & run out of control. Nerve cells are firing too often & too easily. GABA hinders the transmission of nerve impulses… calming the storm.
GABA is produced during the citric acid cycle, also known as the “Krebs Cycle.” During this cycle, glucose, proteins, & fats are converted into the form of energy known as ATP – adenosine triphosphate. ATP is used by living cells to synthesize proteins from amino acids & replicate DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid.
GABA influences the flow of Chloride ions into the neurons & Potassium ions out of the neurons. More Chloride ions are allowed to enter the brain cell by the GABA receptor. This step increases the negative electrical charge on the inside of the neuron, while on the outside, the Potassium increases the positive charge. This makes it more difficult for the neuron to fire. Thus, corresponding neurons are not triggered & you aren’t sent into a frenzied state. You are calm, cool, & collected, even though under stress.
L-GLUTAMINE:
The body readily synthesizes L-Glutamine, which is the 3rd most abundant amino acid in the blood & brain. L-Glutamine is found in the highest concentrations of the skeletal muscle, brain liver, & stomach. In fact, the skeletal muscle contains 60% of the L-Glutamine stores. When the body is under metabolic stress, L-Glutamine is released into the bloodstream to go to the tissues in need.
L-Glutamine is fuel for the body & brain! In fact, blood sugar, aka: glucose, is the only other compound that the brain can use for energy. L-Glutamine supports focus, concentration, clarity, sense of well-being, & alertness.
This little amino acid is a huge supporter of the immune system. It supports the healthy proliferation of white cells. Recall that white cells are our body’s defenders, fighting off foreign particles & invading microorganisms. The GI tract actually uses the greatest amount of L-Glutamine in the body. Out of all of the organs in the body, the small intestine absorbs the most! L-Glutamine supports the integrity of the intestinal lining.
L-TAURINE:
Taurine is found throughout the body & like the other amino acids, is involved in a multitude of functions. It is found in higher concentrations in the heart muscle, olfactory bulb, CNS, & brain – specifically the hippocampus & pineal gland. In the brain, it is the 2nd most important inhibitory neurotransmitter – next to GABA.
The hippocampus is a horsehoe shaped paired structure that is the part of the brain involved in memory forming, organizing, & storing. Ever come across a smell or hear a noise that suddenly triggers a memory from your past? You have just experienced the the work of the hippocampus.
The pine cone shaped gland connecting the endocrine system with the nervous system is the pineal gland. This structure is located between the cerebral hemispheres of the brain & is involved in several body functions. The pineal gland produces several hormones, primarily melatonin.
Melatonin helps control your sleep-wake cycles. Your body has an internal clock that controls when you are awake & when you are asleep. This internal clock controls your melatonin levels. Normally, melatonin levels start to rise in the mid to late evening & remain high most of the night, decreasing as morning grows near. However, light (natural & artificial) affects the body’s production of melatonin & so does age. As we age, the natural melatonin levels tend to drop. In fact, some adults make very little to no melatonin at all.
Taurine supports normal brain development. The concentration of Taurine is 4 times higher in the developing brain versus an adult brain. Like GABA (& Glycine), Taurine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. In the heart, it is the most concentrated amino acid, as it is involved in the heart’s muscular contractility & rhythms. It is necessary for the formation of one of the bile acids & supports the proper functioning of the gall bladder.
5-HTP:
“Feel good?” Say thank you to Serotonin! Serotonin is is a hormone that is credited with maintaining that “happy feeling.” It helps transmit messages along the nerve pathways. Serotonin plays a role in mood, digestion, sleep & sexuality. This hormone produces a relaxed, calm, secure, mellow feeling.
Serotonin levels fluctuate throughout the day. Caffeine, nicotine alcohol, & antidepressants can deplete your levels of serotonin, as well as lack of sunlight. However, exercise can increase both serotonin (& dopamine) levels in the blood!
L-GLYCINE:
This amino acid has the simplest structure of all the amino acids & resembles glucose & glycogen. It is the 3rd major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain & readily passes through the blood-brain barrier. Glycine is used by the body to form DNA, collagen, phospholipids, & for the release of energy.
Glycine plays a role in the metabolism of protein, peptides, & bile salts. This amino acid supports heavy metal detoxification, as well as decreases the craving for sugar. In the brain, Glycine also helps to “slow down” stress related messages full of angst & anxiousness.
L-THEANINE:
L-Theanine promotes the production of alpha waves in the brain & influences GABA production. Plus, L-Theanine plays a role in the release of dopamine & serotonin.
Alpha brain waves are the dominant waves in your brain when your body & mind are relaxed. They are often considered to be the healthiest brain wave range. The brain is less vulnerable to stress side effects, if alpha brain waves are present.
We have already discussed the importance of GABA & serotonin. But what about dopamine? Dopamine is needed to produce epinephrine & norepinephrine, which are hormones that are involved in the “fight-or-flight” response. This neurotransmitter, which is produced by the hypothalamus, also causes feelings of pleasure (ie: from food or sex) & is required to maintain healthy cognitive function – concentration, memory, & problem solving.
VITAMIN B6:
What an amazing vitamin! Affecting both mental & physical health, Vitamin B6 is involved in more
bodily functions than almost any other single nutrient. This vitamin is involved in nerve function & also has a part in the synthesis of red blood cells, neurotransmitters, & the hormones, serotonin, norepinephrine, & melatonin. It plays a role in the absorption of fats & proteins, activates several enzymes, supports a healthy immune system, a healthy circulatory system, & is used mainly by the body to process amino acids.
Because of Vitamin B6, amino acids can be synthesized, like Glutamine from Glutamate & Taurine from Cysteine. This vitamin also helps break down amino acids so that they can be more readily absorbed by the body. Vitamin B6 is very important to the metabolism of amino acids within the intestines. It is important to note that as you increase your energy expenditure, such as exercise, you will need to increase your Vitamin B6.
Norepinephrine, “aka: noradrenaline,” is produced in the core portion of the adrenal glands – adrenal medula. It is classified both as a hormone & a neurotransmitter. Stress, either physical or psychological will trigger its release. Norepinephrine will activate the body’s “fight-or-flight response” & increases attention & reaction time.
25 thoughts on “GABA Complex (GABA Calm)-supports a calm, cool and collected you!”
Love the info on Gaba Calm & Phenebut – but I can’t get your search box to work – tried I.E. & Google. I would like to see the full description, price etc. Thanks!
Hello Andrew, I am sorry you are having an issue with the search. The lower half of the blog post you referenced has the ingredient list. If you click on the shop tab at the top of the website, you can get to the on-line store that has pricing and ordering info. I have included the info in case you still have an issue with the search.
The price is $44.95 for 90 capsules. This month (March 2015) it is 20% off.
The ingredients are as follows:
P5P 2mg
Blend of: l-taurine, 4-amino-3-phenybutyric acid, l-glycine, l-theanine extract 99%, L-glutamine, 5-HTP. (total 1304 mg).
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 781-893-3870.
Hello I looked up the product in the Shop, but there is no information re: dosage. Can you tell me how many caps are required for the above dosage you mentioned? We are taking Kavinace currently, but it looks like this product has a few more beneficial ingredients that we need. We are taking it for symptoms of ocd. Please advise.
Thank you.
Hello Elise,
The dosage can vary depending on the person and the situation. Many people fine 1 capsule up to 6 times a day, 2 capsules up to 3 times a day to be helpful. For difficulty sleeping, 2 capsules 3 hours before bedtime and 2 capsules around bedtime has been helpful.
For stress and anxiety, it has been used up to 6 per day in divided doses as mentioned above.
Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. 781-893-3870
If you take only 2 Gaba Calm per night to sleep, can you take it daily for an extended period of time if not how to take and what side affect would this cause?
Hello Richard. Two per night is not a problem even if it is for an extended period. Two capsules daily is a low dose. Glad it is helping.
I need to talk to someone deeply knowledgeable about Kavinace and Gaba-Calm. I am taking under the care of Dr. Stephanie Mouton Reed who is one of your doctors. Please contact me so that we can make an appointment to speak.
Hello and Thank you for reaching out. Dr. Gary Kracoff is out of the pharmacy until August 7th, but feel free to call his assistant Jenna @ 781-893-3870 x107. She can schedule a time for you to meet/speak with Dr. Kracoff. Thanks again. We hope to hear from you soon.
I currently take Kavinace but my b6 level went thru the roof. Top range is only to be 27. Mine was 101 so my dr took me off Kavinace because it includes b6. I’m looking for an exact replacement w/o the b6. Gaba calm looks like it has a lot more Ingredients in it. Kavinace has 950 mg of taurine n 4-amino-3-phenylbutyric acid HCI. (& 2mg of b6 of course). Do have a product as close to Kavince (minus b6) as possible?
Hello Eugenia, I am not aware of a similar formulation without b6. If your b6 level is very high, there should be a reason that you are not eliminating it. Since it is a water soluble vitamin, you should be able to remove any that the body does not use. I would try stopping it, and then have the b6 retested. Are you sure that you are not getting b6 elsewhere? 2mg of b6 is a very low amount.
I am 6 weeks pregnant and gaba calm has been helpful to me in the past – I only would take one before giving presentations. Is this safe to use while pregnant?
Hello Bianca. Congratulations. With being pregnant, less is better. There have not be any studies done either way with all of the ingredients. For anxiety before presentations, try the homeopathic remedy Gelsemium 30C. 5 pellets dissolved under tongue before the presentation or when you start getting anxious. This has been very helpful for many people. Let me know how you do.
Does it interact with other medicines could you take it in place of clonipin even or soboxine
Why a does it interact with?
Thanks for the question. First, we advise you to speak with your physician. If your physician has further questions regarding Gaba Complex interactions with certain medications feel free to have them reach out to Gary at 781-893-3870. Hope this helps!
Please tell me if it’s ok to take GABA complex while taking antidepressants. I would like to wean myself off of them, have been taking them for a long time. Are there any other supplements you would recommend that will help with this process?
There is not a quick simple answer. Please feel free to call us and we can discuss this. We need to know what medications you are on and have other questions that will help determine if you can use GABACALM. Our phone number is 781-893-3870.
I have been taking Kavinace Ultrapm for 3 years. I take 2 capsules an hour or two before bedtime, every night. Is this dosage each night too much?
Thanks a bunch!
Jeff
Hi Jeff, the recommended daily dose is one capsule or as directed by your practitioner. Usually this product is not used every night year in and year out. You should check with your practitioner. Many times there is an underlying issue that needs to be addressed to allow you have better rem cycles.
Is 4 capsules also a small dose?
Hello Nancy, the suggested dose is 1-2 capsules up to max of 3 times a day. 4 capsules per dose is not the recommended amount. Gary
Hello Laura,
Kavinace is very effective and as you found, is off the market. GabaComplex is still available, and is being reformulated. Many people find either product can be very helpful.
With the GAD mutation, there are other supplements that can be helpful, and there is usually more than one gene that may have snps that can affect the conversion of glutamate to gaba.
I have been taking 2 Kavinace Ultra PM at bedtime and am looking for a replacement. I noticed this doesn’t have melatonin. Could I supplement with that and take together? I feel like I would need more than 2 Gaba Calm. I’d be grateful for whatever advice you can offer. Thank you!
Yes you can add the melatonin. Gabacomplex is still instock, and it is being reformulated. When current stock is gone, the current formula will be replaced. Hope this helps.