Gaba/Glutamate imbalance
 

Just come back from an appointment with my Chiropractic Neurologist. Asked him about why I would benefit from supplementing Gaba. I may not be quoting him correctly but he said something to the effect with my brain injury , there is inflammation and thus an excess of Glutamate which keeps attacking the injured area thus making it more susceptible to pain and thus the need for Gaba supplementation.

Here's a link to an intersting article.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC155411/

He is making quite an assumption. What evidence does he have to support this assumption ? The studies show glutamate to be a problem early in the injury. Nothing in the article, which is based on 100 other articles, shows that this problem exists for months after the injury. The article explains that much of this problem is due to the mechanisms in place at near injury. These studies are likely based on rat brains since they are the commonly 'experimentally' injured mammals used in brain studies.

Did you ask him about the addiction tendency of phenibut ?

btw, NeuroScience, the maker of Kavinace is also the same company that does the only lab work that determines that a patient needs Kavinace. The research supporting their claims is limited and only done by the NeuroScience and Pharmasan Labs, Inc people Both companies are owned by the same entity/persons.

My best to you.

Thanks Mark, yes I asked him and he said I will only be using it for a short time(3 months). Not for long term. I'm guessing though that most antidepressants or anti anxiety meds do have an addicting quality to them? Thank you again

I would offer this Wiki link - with the statement that, although I know all Wiki links should be regarded with caution, this does offer much information that is showing good information from much literature out that about GABA studies.

And I would direct your attention to the to the information in the GABA Supplements section , scroll down - "....claims are not yet scientifically proven."

bluehiroko,

You seem very adverse to taking medication - particularly those typically prescribed, and that is a choice folks can make. However, you need to make an informed choice about a Natural supplement, and stick with one for a longer term than you seem to be doing.

Most herbal supplements such as Valerian, Melatonin, L-tryptophan have been used in anxiety, sleep aid, claims for antidepression have been made with them, etc.

Feverfew has been used for Migraines.

I would however advise caution in using something with no proven basis in science that is supposed to affect your brain's chemistry - you have enough problems with that with your injury.

I really like GABA; it make me feel very calm and relaxed. I have been using it for a few weeks. It is not an expensive supplement. For those experiencing anxiety, irritability and sensory overload, it is worth trying.

Melatonin and L-Tryptophan are not herbal supplements. They are both integrally needed for normal brain function. L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid. It converts to 5-HTP which converts to Melatonin and Serotonin.

Valerian root is an herbal supplement.

And NO, most anti-depressants do not have an addicting quality to them. They may have withdrawal symptoms but those are not the result of addiction.

Anxiolitics (anti-anxiety drugs) have a variety of negative issues to consider. Benzos cause cognitive decline.

Correct, I should have worded that as "Most herbals AND supplements" - my bad.

Just curious, with Kavinace I would need to taper off them.
would I need to taper off Gaba or L-Tryptophan or L-theanine?
Thank you again!

With L-Theanine, I didn't taper. I just stopped taking it once the bottle was finished. I was taking it for insomnia, but it didn't really help me. I am not sure whether the other supplements need to be tapered. With supplements that I have taken, I stop using them once the product is finished, if I find that it is not working for me.