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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by former poster on September 27, 2010, at 21:58:10
I have never tried it before so I bought a bottle to try out. Any experiences, anyone?
Posted by morgan miller on September 28, 2010, at 13:04:58
In reply to GABBA supplements?, posted by former poster on September 27, 2010, at 21:58:10
I like GABA, it is noticeably calming. When I take it usually take it at night before bed.
There are some that believe taking 3 grams or so before you workout could enhance performance and may increase growth hormone release. I'm don't I believe it has much impact on growth hormone though.
Posted by Lao Tzu on September 29, 2010, at 16:17:38
In reply to Re: GABBA supplements?, posted by morgan miller on September 28, 2010, at 13:04:58
I use it occasionally for its calming effect and before bed. I like 500mg at a time. 750mg is just too big a dose for me for daytime use. It might be okay before bed. 500mg is more agreeable to me. I can't say it is a great anti-anxiety agent. There are better things out there for anxiety, but GABA does have a relaxing effect if you're just trying to chill. Can't say that everyone would like it. You either do or you don't. It's okay, though. Very safe to take. The Japanese put it in their snack foods. I guess they'd need it because of their stressful lifestyle. Kava kava, to me, is a better anti-anxiety agent than GABA.
Posted by Lao Tzu on October 15, 2010, at 7:25:32
In reply to GABBA supplements?, posted by former poster on September 27, 2010, at 21:58:10
I find that the GABA at lower dosages does help me with anxiety, especially in the evening during the cold Winter months when I am more anxious. I don't really need it in the Summer because my anxiety levels are lower for some reason. I like 375mg in the late afternoon/evening and an additional 500mg at bedtime to help with sleep, in addition to Calcium/Magnesium, melatonin, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B1 for sleep. The GABA is useful for anxiety if you are also taking other supplements, such as B6, zinc, B3, and B12, and fatty acids. These vitamins can compliment the GABA. I don't think GABA alone is all that great for anxiety unless you are taking other vitamins as well. Perhaps, Kava kava (which is great for anxiety) would be a good addition if you have an anxiety disorder. Also, SSRIs are good for anxiety, but I have found that antidepressants don't mix well with the Kava Kava. Some people prefer to take only natural supplements for their anxiety, and others medication. From my own experience, I have found that GABA can be taken with SSRIs, but the Kava Kava probably shouldn't be taken with SSRIs. That's just been my experience.
Posted by former poster on October 15, 2010, at 21:41:40
In reply to Re: GABBA supplements?, posted by Lao Tzu on October 15, 2010, at 7:25:32
Thanks for the good info. Interesting that your anxiety goes up in the winter. Mine too!
Posted by Lao Tzu on October 16, 2010, at 10:24:46
In reply to Re: GABBA supplements? » Lao Tzu, posted by former poster on October 15, 2010, at 21:41:40
Yeah, I think I have some kind of cyclothymic disorder or a Seasonal Affective Disorder on top of my bipolar because my depression/anxiety seems to change with the seasons. For instance, I tend to be more lethargic and depressed in the Summer and more anxious in the Winter. Also, I can't tolerate B12 in the Summer, but absolutely need to take it in the Winter for depression. Do you get Summer depression? Lethargy? Most people get the blues in the Winter, not the Summer. GABA seems to help me more in the Winter, but I find I don't need it as much in the hot, Summer months. Is that the case with you too? It sounds wierd, I know, but that's what happens to me.
Lao
Posted by Lao Tzu on October 16, 2010, at 10:32:12
In reply to Re: GABBA supplements? » Lao Tzu, posted by former poster on October 15, 2010, at 21:41:40
I also might try a trial of Glycine because it is inhibitory, and before my pyschosis, it helped me with anxiety. Careful not to take too much because large doses have the potential of pushing you toward a depressive episode. I did try it a couple of years ago and found that it didn't work well in my regiment, probably because I've been taking a maximum dosage of Risperdal for the past four years. I think, probably, glycine won't work as well as GABA for me, but I might try it again. I also like a little taurine each day, about 250mg. Not sure what it does for me exactly. It's supposed to lower adrenaline levels, and this might affect anxiety if you have that problem.
Posted by former poster on October 18, 2010, at 0:21:16
In reply to Re: GABBA supplements?, posted by Lao Tzu on October 16, 2010, at 10:24:46
I get lethargy anytime of the year but in summer where I live the days are so much longer than winter. So if I do have lethargy in summer, I have much more time to get going. More time to get things done. Hot temps make anyone lethargic, so I can blame lethargy on the heat, not on depression. I think the additional daylight and the smell of living things are a big mood lifter too.
This is the end of the thread.
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