Evidence supporting the use of: GABA
For the health condition: Insomnia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter in the brain that has an inhibitory effect on neuronal activity, promoting relaxation and reducing neuronal excitability. Because of this, GABA supplements are often marketed as sleep aids or treatments for insomnia. There is a scientific rationale for targeting GABAergic pathways in the treatment of insomnia, as many prescription medications for sleep, such as benzodiazepines and "Z-drugs" (e.g., zolpidem), work by enhancing GABA activity in the brain. However, the direct scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of oral GABA supplements for insomnia is limited.
Most clinical studies on GABA for insomnia are small, preliminary, or of low methodological quality. Some studies have shown modest improvements in subjective sleep quality and latency in people taking GABA supplements, but many of these studies are either not blinded or have potential conflicts of interest. A significant limitation is that GABA taken orally may not efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier in humans, which raises questions about its mechanism of action when used as a supplement. Thus, while there is some scientific support for GABAergic modulation in improving sleep, the evidence specifically for supplemental GABA in treating insomnia remains weak and inconclusive.
In summary, GABA is used for insomnia based on a plausible biological rationale, but robust scientific validation from large, high-quality clinical trials is currently lacking.
Other ingredients used for Insomnia
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)amino acids
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
calcium
California poppy
cassia bark
chamomile
cherry
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
Coptis chinensis
fennel
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gooseberry
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
heartwood
hops
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
maca
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
ophiopogon root
orange
passionflower
perilla
phytocannabinoids
pollen
polygala root
quail egg
reishi mushroom
rose oil
saffron
sage
scrophularia root
skullcap
valerian root
vitamin B6
zinc
catnip
tangerine
anise
blackboard tree
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
morus
silk tree
chrysanthemum
amber
ganoderma
lotus seed
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
aster root
peach
wood betony
goji berry
soursop
Aralia
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Angelica
Apigenin
Anamu
Albizia
Agarwood
Anemone
Alpha lactalbumin
Agrimonia pilosa
Arani
Atractylone
Betony
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Blackthorn
Balsam
Bayleaf
Big Quaking Grass
Banyan
Brahmi
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bupleurum
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Clary sage
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cactus
Cyathula
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Cannabinol
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Capitate Valerian
Corktree
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Cherimoya
Corydalis
Carthamus
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
David's Milkberry
Doxylamine succinate
European Elder
Erodium cicutarium
Elk antler
Elephant's Head
Embelia
Glycine
jasmine
Lotus
Lily
Little ironweed
Mallow
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Orchid
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
walnut