GABA supplements are used for relaxation, weight loss, muscle building, and treating high blood pressure and aging problems. Plain GABA supplements may not be effective due to the blood-brain barrier, but new forms like Picamilion show promise in treating anxiety disorders. GABA also stimulates HGH production and is used in anti-aging creams.
There are several different types of gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, supplements, and they can be used in many applications. Some of the most common uses are to promote relaxation and good mood, encourage weight loss and muscle building, and treat high blood pressure and aging problems. The supplements used in these applications differ slightly in composition and dosage, but they all target the GABA neurotransmitter and stimulate its physiological effects in the body. New forms of GABA supplements are constantly being created because GABA does not easily cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Researchers continue to work on the development of GABA “smart drugs,” which are on the front lines of GABA supplement research and development.
GABA is an important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and is deficient in many people who suffer from a mood disorder, especially those on the anxiety spectrum disorders. In theory, GABA supplementation can correct this chemical imbalance and restore feelings of well-being to an individual under emotional stress. While there is some research supporting the effectiveness of plain GABA supplementation, most scientists agree that GABA does not cross the BBB effectively and that most, if not all, of the reported success with the supplement comes from of a placebo effect. However, there is significant debate within the anxiety treatment community, and pure GABA supplementation continues to be used with some success.
To counter the obstacle posed by the BBB, Russian scientists developed a GABA-derived “smart drug” called Picamilion, or nicotinoil-GABAm. It contains GABA bound to a niacin molecule, and the niacin functions as a carrier molecule to transport GABA to target regions of the brain that contain receptors. In experiments, it has been shown to have more anti-anxiety properties than pure GABA supplements. Picamilion’s side effect profile is very low, and the supplement has shown promise as an effective treatment for anxiety disorders that could help ease dependence on highly addictive benzodiazepine drugs.
In higher doses, GABA stimulates the pituitary gland to produce human growth hormone (HGH). HGH promotes fat loss and encourages the production of lean tissue, making it popular as a bodybuilding supplement and diet aid. It’s still facing some of the same scrutiny because of the BBB issue, but used in this app, the research shows more promise. GABA is also an ingredient in many antiaging creams, because its inhibitory properties can stop involuntary facial movements that contribute to wrinkle formation. It also plays a role in collagen formation, which could help combat sagging skin.
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