Does anyone take Gaba?
 

I remember my liquid prenatal had it and I remember it being my best pregnancy. I wonder if that had anything to do with it.
I haven't thought about it until now.
Supposedly it helps with over firing of the nerves.
Benzodiazepines act on gaba, so I guess they wouldn't be needed if it were as simple as taking a supplement.

AFAIK it doesn't penetrate blood-brain barrier ergo won't effect the neurotransmitters
Hence the use of pregabaine or gabapentin

Darn it. I read that too, but was hoping just maybe I could take one instead of a muscle relaxer for when I can't turn my head:(

There is an OTC gaba that does work some. It is not as strong as Benzos but I have used it for family emergencies which were very upsetting.

It is called PharmaGaba, and is made differently from other Gaba supplements.

example:
https://www.thorne.com/products/dp/pharmagaba-100

I have noticed that the products come and go... But Natural Factors seem rather steady. I have a small stash of two bottles I bought at iherb last time, so I am still set. The PharmaGold company for some reason stopped offering it.

Interesting. Thanks!

Medications that doesn't cross the blood brain barrier can't affect the brain and spinal cord, but they can affect the peripheral nerves on the rest of the body.

But doesn't the neurotransmission only happen from the spinal cord and out? I don't know. I'm just trying to learn all about this.

No, the neurotransmitters are used in the communications between the nerves themselves and between the nerves and the target organs (e.g. muscles, internal organs etc.). For example the neurotransmitter Acetyl choline (ACh) is used in the synapses between the nerves and the skeletal muscles, and these synapses are adjacent to the muscles throughout the body. The same goes for the autonomic innervations of the internal organs which are mostly done with the neurotransmitters ACh and Norepinephrine.

So than why would they prescribe a drug like mestinon when someone could just take citicholine?
I am actually getting ready to try the supplement, but due to an asthma flare, I am hesitant to start anything new.
Forgive my questions, but I am still learning and the doctors explain nothing.

Citicoline or choline ?

I know a little about Mestinon and haven’t heard about Citicoline ,so as far as I understand from googling….
Mestinon doesn’t cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and it increases the effects of the neurotransmitter ACh in the nervous system throughout the body, but not in the brain. And this is probably the desired effect in peripheral neuropathy.
Choline might also increase the ACh signal (in different mechanism than mestinon), but it is involved in some other processes in the body, and it can pass the BBB, so it is less specific than the Mestinon and can affect the brain.
As far as I understand from googling and wiki, Citicoline pass the BBB and it is even less specific than choline.

Regarding the doctors that explain nothing.... I am extremely frustrated from this too.... :Bang-Head:
I wish there was a treatment that can improve their communication skills and empathy... :cool: