GABA for Weight Loss and Other Important Benefits

Other Benefits of GABA

Sleep

GABA enables the body and mind to relax and fall asleep, and to sleep soundly throughout the night. Low GABA activity is linked to insomnia and disrupted sleep. In one study, GABA levels in people with insomnia were almost 30% lower than in people without insomnia.

Stress and anxiety

As a natural chemical the body produces, GABA’s primary role is to diminish the activity of neurons in the brain and central nervous system, which puts the body in a greater state of relaxation and alleviates stress and anxiety. Supplemental GABA may benefit sleep by aiding relaxation and providing relief from anxiety and stress.

Blood pressure

GABA supplements are sometimes used by people as a natural way to lower blood pressure. GABA may help support healthy blood pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much GABA to take for weight loss?

The honest truth is that there’s no weight loss dose of GABA. Human studies looking at it for that are pretty limited. Instead, people typically take GABA at night for sleep and relaxation. At Village Green Apothecary, we can help you find a dose and form tailored to your needs, with your practitioner's input.

Does GABA cause weight gain?

GABA does not appear to cause weight gain, though its relationship to blood sugar and insulin levels may explain why some healthcare practitioners include it in a weight loss plan. If anything, the evidence points toward GABA being helpful for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. If you take a new supplement and have unexpected side effects, talk to your healthcare provider.

GABA does not appear to make you gain weight. Because of its support of glucose metabolism and healthy blood sugar levels, GABA is actually considered to have anti-obesity effects rather than cause weight gain, which is why some practitioners include it in a weight loss plan. If you have unexpected side effects, talk to your healthcare provider.

Does GABA suppress appetite?

GABA has also been linked with appetite and metabolism, which is why appetite is a recurring topic in these discussions. There is currently little direct evidence from humans that taking a GABA supplement can suppress appetite. However, GABA has been shown to reduce stress-related brain signals, and both stress and sleep can affect appetite. So rather than considering it a magic bullet for weight loss, think of it as one part of a larger puzzle.

How GABA Influences Blood Sugar and Fat?

Now, here is where the gamma-aminobutyric acid weight loss story starts getting really interesting. GABA helps with glucose metabolism. This means that your blood sugar levels become more stable, allowing the fat storing hormone, insulin, to function better. The relationship between glucose and GABA is what ties together most of the claims about GABA causing fat loss.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

• PubMed
• PubMed
• PubMed
• Effects of Oral Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Administration on Stress and Sleep in Humans: A Systematic Review (2020)
• Neurosteroids and GABA-A Receptor Function (2011)
• Therapeutic Anti-Depressant Potential of Microbial GABA Produced by Lactobacillus rhamnosus Strains for GABAergic Signaling Restoration and Inhibition of Addiction-Induced HPA Axis Hyperactivity (2022)