GABA was identified in the mammalian brain in 1950's. It is believed to be the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA is synthesized from Glutamate. Glutamate is a pivotal amino acid in the brain. It is dervied from alpha keto glutarate, which is one of the intermediates in the Krebs cycle by way of the addition of an amine group. Glutamate also undergoes transamination to form glutamine by addition of another amine group. Glutamine then proceeds to the liver where it is deaminated to regenerated glutamate, which then returns to the brain. This is brain's nitrogen cycle. In situations where the liver is unable to deaminate the glutamine the brain must obtain glutamate by draining the Kreb's cycle intermediates. This in turn begins to impair cerebral energy metabolism.

Following release GABA can be taken back up by the neurons or by astrocytes. It appears that the release of GABA is also under auto receptor control. GABA is metabolized by the enzyme GABA transaminase (GABA-T) to form succinic acid semialdehyde. Succinic acid semialdehyde is metabolized further to form succinic acid, which is also a Kreb's cycle intermediate. GABA-T is inhibited by valproic acid. This is the basis for the belief that valproic acid is GABAergic. There are other alternative pathways for GABA metabolism.

GABA functions in the central nervous system as a neurotransmitter; it occupies the nerve receptor sites for anxiety or stress related messages so that they are restrained from reaching the brain.

GABA can be taken as a tranquilizer to calm the body, but without the addiction that can come with usage of Valium™ or Librium™. GABA is also used for epilepsy, hypertension, and ADD-ADHD.

Balanced supplementation is important because too much GABA can increase anxiety, and cause numbness in the face and tingling in the fingers and toes.

GABA is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. When the level of GABA in the brain decreases to below a certain level, seizures and other neurological disorders may occur. The level of GABA in the brain is controlled by two enzymes, glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and GABA transaminase (GABA-T).

GABA is considered to act as a natural calming and anti-epileptic agent in the brain. Since GABA is not transported efficiently into the brain from the bloodstream, most of the GABA found in the brain is manufactured there. For that reason, supplemental GABA would not be expected to increase levels of GABA in the brain. A few physicians have reported that GABA can be beneficial when used in connection with a variety of brain disorders including epilepsy and schizophrenia, but these reports have not been scientifically substantiated. Intake of high levels GABA has shown to produce a marked increase in plasma growth-hormone levels and prolactin in one study, but the implication and application of these findings is not yet clear.

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) is a non-essential amino acid formed from glutamic acid with the help of vitamin B6. GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) is found in almost every region of brain, and is formed through the activity of the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). GABA serves as a inhibitory neurotransmitter to block the transmission of an impulse from one cell to another in the central nervous system.

Benefits of GABA

GABA helps to relieve the person from s tress and anxiety. It acts as a neurotransmitter to the brain. GABA is the most common message-altering neurotransmitter in the brain.
It acts as a receptor of stress and anxiety and thus prevents them to reach the brain.

GABA is also used for epilepsy, hypertension, and ADD-ADHD.

GABA is considered to act as a natural calming and anti-epileptic agent in the brain.
A few physicians have reported that GABA can be beneficial when used in connection with a variety of brain disorders including epilepsy and schizophrenia, but these reports have not been scientifically substantiated.

Deficiency symptoms of GABA

If a sufficient amount of GABA is lacking, however, the system goes out of whack, and tens of thousands of neurons send messages rapidly, intensely and simultaneously, resulting in a seizure.

Symptoms of high intake

Intake of high levels GABA has shown to produce a marked increase in plasma growth-hormone levels and prolactin in one study, but the implication and application of these findings is not yet clear.

Too much GABA can increase anxiety, and cause numbness in the face and tingling in the fingers and toes.

Daily requirement

Some doctors have recommended GABA in the amount of 200 mg four times daily, although no general recommendation is made for supplementation of GABA.

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