You know that friend who always knows exactly what to say and do to help in times of chaos and stress? The one that always seems to make you feel better and after a talk with her you feel more calm and positive and things seem a little more clear? Well, in the supplement world that friend is GABA! 

GABA, or Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, is an amino acid produced in the brain that works as a neurotransmitter to stimulate a variety of positive mental and physical effects. This amazing compound is also found in some fermented foods as well as in green, black, and oolong teas. GABA works in the body to calm the brain and bring smooth flow. Many medications target GABA receptors to assist with mood, relaxation and sleep and as our lives become increasingly more stressful, mamas are turning to GABA supplements for friendly support. 

Stress and Sleep

When produced in the brain, GABA works to reduce the level of activity in our neurons and central nervous system so the body can then move into a state of deeper relaxation. This shift triggers soothing effects on stress and irritability and can elevate mood. Supplementing with GABA extracted from plants may also support our overall sense of calm balance. GABA seems to calm that crazy fight-or-flight experience triggered by mental chaos and too many irons in the fire. We mamas wouldn’t know anything about that would we?! 

It seems logical to think that navigating your day with a greater ability to cope with stressful experiences, could also increase your chances of more restful sleep because your brain is already operating in a state of greater relaxation. That means that when bedtime rolls around, there is less for your brain to quiet and unwind meaning you may just drift off to dreamland easily and with a smile on your face.  

Quiets and Sharpens the Mind

Don’t we all want a little more inner peace? The soothing, quieting effects of GABA can contribute to an overall more peaceful mental state. When our brains are no longer jumping from one thought to the other or trying to organize endless lists and solve endless problems in a single moment we can enjoy a much more zen state of being.

But hold on a moment! Even though GABA is believed to create a relaxed state, there is also reason to believe that GABA could improve your ability to quickly react to visual and auditory stimulations. Meaning you may experience faster reaction times and the ability to prioritize tasks and responses. Throughout the course of the day there is a consistent need to quickly determine how and when we react to our experiences and many situations call for us to execute multiple reactions simultaneously. 

You know, like when you’re helping one kiddo with homework and you hear the shriek of frustration from the other room as the other two kiddos start battling.  Or when you’re in an important phone meeting and your toddler dumps over his lunch and knocks his drink off the table. Yeah, like those moments. GABA could be a real asset for handling these kinds of situations with efficiency and grace! With the right support, maybe you could calmly finish the homework explanation before laying down the law in the next room or perhaps you could catch that falling cup of juice without even so much as a pause in your sentence. Sounds nice doesn’t it?