What are GABA supplements used for? | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

What are GABA supplements used for?

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

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UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

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  • GABA supplements are sometimes prescribed to people who have a natural deficiency of it.
  • GABA supplements are also sometimes used by athletes or bodybuilders.
  • Although not as effective the natural chemical, GABA supplements can help people remain calm in a variety of situations.
If someone has a naturally low level of GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) in their brain, their doctor may recommend they take GABA supplements in order to enhance and replace the natural chemicals usually supplied by the brain.

Although GABA supplements do not provide the same kind of direct attention to the body’s nervous system as the natural chemical does, they do work with the body’s peripheral nervous system to slow down actions in order to remain calm.

GABA supplements are also sometimes used by athletes or bodybuilders to increase muscle mass, reduce percentages of body fat, inhibit weight loss, or simply to remain calm during a big game.

Of course, supplementation of any kind is only one part of the equation when it comes to reaching health and fitness goals. Exercise matters too. For access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, goal trackers, and more, sign up for an Exercise.com PRO plan today.

How Does GABA Relate to My Body?

For a brief overview of what GABA is, check out the video below:

People deficient in natural GABA sometimes struggle with disorders such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and even alcoholism.

GABA supplements have been known to treat these issues along with many others that prevent people from following through with everyday routines.

GABA is a natural source of energy that is given off in your brain through specific neurotransmitters.

If your body is deficient in this special chemical, your muscles will continuously be tense, your stress levels will be high, and your ability to function rationally will be impaired.

Although this supplement has been proven to reduce anxiety and depression, sometimes the GABA supplement has been known to have too much of a calming effect on those who take it. If this is the case, a simple reduction in dosage should do the trick.

How Much of the GABA Supplement Should I Take?

Dosages of GABA supplements will vary wildly depending on your condition and needs. If you have low energy, trouble sleeping and a lot of anxiety, for example, your doctor may provide you with a high dosage. Dosages can vary between 10 and 1,000 mg daily.

If you are a bodybuilder or an athlete, your dosage of GABA supplements will depend on the type of muscle mass you are trying to obtain, or what your reasons are for taking it, if not building and maintaining muscle.

One reason athletes take GABA supplements is to reduce muscle cramps or charlie horses. Just be sure to consult a physician about any and all dosage amounts, and if you start to get drowsy while taking GABA, reduce your dosage.

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What Are the Positive and Negative Effects of GABA Supplements?

Other than having a drowsy effect on some individuals, there are no other proven side effects that may cause hurt or harm to the individuals who take GABA supplements.

If you are having odd side effects after taking GABA, report your side effects to your doctor so they may either reduce your dosage or take you off it completely.

There are other supplements that reduce the same type of issues with your body; however, they may not be quite as effective.

GABA supplements are also known to increase the amount of HGH (human growth hormones) in your body and enhance your overall health in general.

GABA supplements are available in both a liquid and capsule form. Although the capsule form is more popular, some people may purchase the liquid form because it’s more effective and works faster. The liquid form of the supplement might come as a powder that gets mixed in with liquids.

You can purchase these supplements at your local health and fitness store or possibly at the nearest pharmacy. Your doctor may also provide you with a prescription for GABA supplements that will help you treat whatever specific issues you’re dealing with.

GABA supplements are one of the most natural and healthy supplements on the market today.

With no extreme proven side effects, GABA supplements show only positive reinforcement for the individuals who take them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

– Do I have to take supplements?

Unless your doctor has instructed you to take certain supplements, you do not have to take them.

– Are supplements safe?

Whether or not dietary supplements are safe to take depends on a number of factors. Learn more about the safety of supplements here.

  What supplements do I need to take?

No one can answer that aside from your doctor. To learn more about the various supplements that doctors commonly recommend, check out this article.

But why stop with supplements? Sign up for our PRO Plan and stay on track with your fitness regimen today!

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