Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) powder is an endogenous neurotransmitter that controls neuronal excitability, muscle tone, stem cell growth, brain development, and mood. During development, GABA acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter but switches later to an inhibitory function. GABA displays anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and amnestic activities, inducing relaxation and decreasing anxiety in clinical settings. Its principal role is reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system. GABA is sold as a dietary supplement.
Name | Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) Powder |
CAS | 56-12-2 |
Purity | 98% |
Chemical name | 4-Aminobutyric acid |
Synonyms | GABA; df468; gamma; (2D2); (3B7); Gammar; Immu-G; Reanal; DF 468; Gamarex |
Molecular Formula | C4H9NO2 |
Molecular Weight | 103.12 |
Melting Point | 195 °C (dec.)(lit.) |
InChI Key | BTCSSZJGUNDROE-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
Form | Powder |
Appearance | White or light Yellow |
Half Life | / |
Solubility | H2O: 1 M at 20 °C, clear, colorless |
Storage Condition | Store at RT. |
Application | An important inhibitory neurotransmitter. |
Testing Document | Available |
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) powder is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. It plays a role in regulating neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system. In humans, GABA is also directly responsible for the regulation of muscle tone. Although chemically it is an amino acid, GABA powder is rarely referred to as such in the scientific or medical communities, because the term “amino acid,” used without a qualifier, conventionally refers to the alpha amino acids, which GABA is not, nor is it ever incorporated into a protein. In spastic diplegia in humans, GABA absorption becomes impaired by nerves damaged from the condition’s upper motor neuron lesion, which leads to hypertonia of the muscles signaled by those nerves that can no longer absorb GABA.
In 1883, GABA was first synthesized, and it was first known only as a plant and microbe metabolic product.
In 1950, GABA was discovered as an integral part of the mammalian central nervous system.
In 1959, it was shown that at an inhibitory synapse on crayfish muscle fibers GABA acts like stimulation of the inhibitory nerve. Both inhibition by nerve stimulation and by applied GABA are blocked by picrotoxin.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) probably represents the most important inhibitory transmitter of the mammalian CNS (also see Chapter 15). Both types of GABAergic inhibition (pre- and postsynaptic) use the same GABAA receptor subtype, which acts by regulation of the chloride channel of the neuronal membrane. A second GABA receptor type, GABAB, that is a G protein–coupled receptor is not considered to be important in understanding the mechanism of hypnotics. Activation of a GABAA receptor by an agonist increases the inhibitory synaptic response of central neurons to GABA through hyperpolarization. Because many, if not all, central neurons receive some GABAergic input, this leads to a mechanism by which CNS activity can be depressed. For example, if the GABAergic interneurons are activated by an agonist that inhibits the monoaminergic structures of the brainstem, hypnotic activity will be observed. The specific neuronal structures in different brain regions affected by GABAA agonist continues to be better defined.
GABA works by regulating brain and nerve activity via inhibiting a number of neurons working in the brain. An excess of norepinephrine/adrenaline can make our brains experience abundance of tension, stress, and nervousness.
Our body is smart in this situation, and will work to neutralize this via releasing GABA, which will inhibit this extra adrenaline. Adding GABA supplementation can go a long way to aid the body in this inhibition, and overcoming nights of tossing and turning.
Without GABA, nerve cells fire too often and too frequently, which will lead to anxiety disorders and even conditions like addiction, headaches, and Parkinson’s syndrome.
For bodybuilding:
Sleep is crucial for athletes because this is the time when recovery takes place. Bodybuilders can benefit from GABA use to help them relax after a strong workout, and to help them improve their sleep as part of a supplemental stack.
GABA as a supplement:
A number of commercial sources sell formulations of GABA for use as a dietary supplement, sometimes for sublingual administration. These sources typically claim that the supplement has a calming effect. These claims are not yet scientifically proven. For example, there is evidence stating that the calming effects of GABA can be seen observably in the human brain after administration of GABA as an oral supplement. However, there is also evidence that GABA does not cross the blood – brain barrier at significant levels.
There are some over-the-counter supplements such as phenylated GABA itself directly, or Phenibut; and Picamilon (both Soviet cosmonaut products) – Picamilon combines niacin and phenylated GABA and crosses the blood–brain barrier as a prodrug that later hydrolyzes into GABA and niacin.
Dosage:
If you run GABA solo, the dosages can range from 250mg up to 750mg per day. As part of a supplemental stack typical dosages are much lower as they work in synergy with other ingredients like melatonin.