Just got GABA, how to use?

dxdmma06 · 07-Apr-06, 08:14 PM

Hey,

I got around to ordering some GABA off AST for my sleep problems. It just came today, but I don't know how to use it. Does anyone have any suggestions?

07-Apr-06, 09:34 PM

Quote:

GABA, Gamma Amino Butyric Acid, is an amino acid that functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. There are studies showing calming, GH releasing, & anticatabolic properties. Relaxing properties may help sex drive. Small amounts may feel stimulating. Too much GABA can cause temporary flushing, anxiety, and shortness of breath. Start with less than 500mg.

Usual dose is one to two grams before bed time.

**Gooseneck** · 08-Apr-06, 12:05 PM

I started using it at about 2-3 grams a month ago and love it. I take one during the day of about 750 mg to help keep my nerves calm and then right before bed to help with sleep.

**.V.** · 08-Apr-06, 02:02 PM

When I read the "anabolic nutrient timing factor" article on the AST site, they reccomended using it 2-3g, 30 minutes before your workout.

It's also good to use 2-3g, 30 minutes before bed. I spoke to them and they said the BEST way is to use it at both times. Of course they are in the business of selling it so the would like you to take as much as possible. When I was using it that way, it did seem to be effective.

08-Apr-06, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_welch503

When I read the "anabolic nutrient timing factor" article on the AST site, they reccomended using it 2-3g, 30 minutes before your workout.

Glad you brought that up, welch, as I've been curious about the timing issues involved in using products like GABA.

If weight lifting (especially squats) raises hormones in response to the stimulus, why would one find it necessary to use a product for that purpose? Isn't it just wasting the product? Or would the product, along with exercise, cause a greater release of GH? And, does exercise only increase the release of testosterone and not GH?

Maybe Maxgain has some research on these issues.....

Maxgain · 08-Apr-06, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronMan

Glad you brought that up, welch, as I've been curious about the timing issues involved in using products like GABA.

If weight lifting (especially squats) raises hormones in response to the stimulus, why would one find it necessary to use a product for that purpose? Isn't it just wasting the product? Or would the product, along with exercise, cause a greater release of GH? And, does exercise only increase the release of testosterone and not GH?

Maybe Maxgain has some research on these issues.....

Exercise will cause growth hormone release. along with eating fasting and rem sleep.
You have a good point would it be necessary with the release from exercise It would help as an adjuvant to its release for maximum effect as it does in sleep to increase REM period.
However research I have seen shows 5g of gaba at once for best GH release so i would work it up to this at nightime.

It would also probably be wise to take periodic breaks from its use

**Gooseneck** · 08-Apr-06, 05:54 PM

The stuff makes me too relaxed, so I think it would be detrimental to my workouts if taken prior.

**.V.** · 08-Apr-06, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxgain

It would also probably be wise to take periodic breaks from its use

When I lost all of my strength 6 months or so ago, I used this suppliment as part of my recovery. I can't scientifically document that it helped, but I did seem to do better while using it. Right now, since I've regained most of the lost strength - I'm doing just that...taking a break.

Doesn't seem to be any loss since I'm not taking it for now either.

dxdmma06 · 08-Apr-06, 11:56 PM

What exactly do you mean by "taking breaks?" Would this be so that your body doesn't develope a tolerance to it? My body does that with ALOT of stuff. How should I regulate taking breaks along with supplementation?

fitricise · 09-Apr-06, 03:57 AM

5g might overstimulate from what ive read, 2 sounds like a good number before bed. 1-5grams is the range ive read people taking so dont go above that. start low and see what works for you

if you take it with something like arginine before workout it will increase GABA more, one study almost 400%, suggesting greater nitric oxide concentrations lead to greater permeability (& more GH) but dont take it with NO precursors before bed cause it'll keep you up

if straight GABA doesnt work you can try things like theanine (work with GABA system), or 10g of taurine works for me (not sure if you can do that every night though)

btw some people say they get a tingling sensation up to an hour after taking it so dont be alarmed

Maxgain · 09-Apr-06, 08:57 AM

I go 5g because thats the study i have seen that was effective if I seen another one for 2g I would use it but until then I will not believe its effects will be significant. However as you state overstimulationa nd thus a downregualtion may occur which is why i advocate breaks.
Also you will need to take about 9g arginine for a proper GH release.
However taking the 2 together may allow lower doses of each to be used

Effect of acute and repeated administration of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) on growth hormone and prolactin secretion in man.

Cavagnini F, Invitti C, Pinto M, Maraschini C, Di Landro A, Dubini A, Marelli A.

A single oral dose of 5 g gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) was given to 19 subjects and serial venous blood samples were obtained before and 3 h after drug administration. A placebo was administered to 18 subjects who served as controls. GABA caused a significant elevation of plasma growth hormone levels (P less than 0.001), but did not consistently alter plasma prolactin concentration since only 5 out of 15 subjects showed an increase of the hormone. Eight additional subjects were submitted to an insulin tolerance test before and after per os administration of 18 g GABA daily for 4 days. Protracted GABA treatment significantly blunted the response of growth hormone and enhanced that of prolactin to insulin hypoglycaemia (P less than 0.01). These results indicate that pharmacological doses of GABA affect growth hormone and prolactin secretion in man. The precise nature of GABA's effects as well as its mechanism of action remains to be clarified.

**Gooseneck** · 09-Apr-06, 07:42 PM

Personally, I think you get a greater growth hormone release because you're getting a more recuperative sleep. I dont take it for that anyhow, but if it helps a little than thats better than nothing.

fitricise · 09-Apr-06, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooseneck

Personally, I think you get a greater growth hormone release because you're getting a more recuperative sleep. I dont take it for that anyhow, but if it helps a little than thats better than nothing.

theres studies that show its because of the increase of GABA. more sleep will help too, but I know the greatest release of GH when sleeping is after about an hour. i havent looked much into that but i wonder if an hour long nap after lifting would be best, or maybe it wouldn't stimulate as much because its already elevated from working out... know anything on that max?

Maxgain · 11-Apr-06, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooseneck

Personally, I think you get a greater growth hormone release because you're getting a more recuperative sleep. I dont take it for that anyhow, but if it helps a little than thats better than nothing.

No I think it is actually vice versa the increase in GH will lead to a greater sleep. GABA will cause GH release whether you sleep or not

Maxgain · 11-Apr-06, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooseneck

Personally, I think you get a greater growth hormone release because you're getting a more recuperative sleep. I dont take it for that anyhow, but if it helps a little than thats better than nothing.

No I think it is vice versa increase GH will lead to better sleep. Gaba will increase GH release whether you sleep or not.