GABA

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Clinical Report Summary

GABA is an amino acid and neurotransmitter that increases lean muscle mass, growth hormone and is utilized as a general mood-enhancer.  The initial science linking GABA to muscle growth was published by a group of Italian scientists in 1980 (1,2). The researchers showed significant elevation in growth hormone, arguably the most important factor in increasing lean muscle mass, 3 hours after administration of 3 grams of GABA. This study also looked at insulin reaction to administration, showing it "significantly blunted the response of growth hormone and enhanced that of prolactin to insulin hypoglycaemia." (2) It was the only conclusive study linking GABA use to growth hormone increase until 2003 when a team from the University of Florida examined GABA ingestion on a group of male bodybuilders (3). The study examined them both at rest and before exercise using both GABA and a placebo. GABA supplementation did not show any increase in growth hormone (GH) output at rest, but showed a significant raise in circulating GH both 15 and 30 minutes after ingestion.

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Overview

Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, is an amino acid and neurotransmitter. While it is most commonly used by bodybuilders due to its effect in the production of growth hormone, GABA is a crucial constituent associated with a wide variety of neurological disorders. Originally, GABA was used to treat PMS and ADHD, but is now also used as a general mood-enhancer. Due to its role in epileptic seizures, GABA is involved in the mechanism of action of many anticonvulsant drugs (4). It has also been found in abnormally high levels in young autistics, as well as descendingly low levels in the spinal fluid and blood of those experiencing alcohol withdrawal (5, 6). People suffering from panic disorder have also been found to have 22% lower cortex GABA than those not suffering from that condition (7). But because of its high concentration in the hypothalamus (the area of the brain responsible for growth), GABA remains most popular for those looking to increase muscle mass and athletic performance.

Safe Use of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

Most studies show 3 gram doses of GABA to be effective, although some have gone as high as 5 (1-3). Intravenous GABA has also been known to cause increases in blood pressure and pulse, but has no known interactions with any drugs or herbs.

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) References

1.  J Clin Endocr Metab, 51, 789-792, 1980.
2. 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 Acta Endocrinol (Copenh) 93 (2): 149-154 (Feb 1980) .
3. Med Sci Sports Exerc 35;5:A1500, 2003.
4. The role of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the mechanism of action of anticonvulsant drugs, Neurol Neurochir Pol. 2000 Jan-Feb;34(1):133-43training in untrained individuals. Int J Sport Nutr 1997;7:298-309.
5. Elevated plasma gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in autistic youngsters: stimulus for a GABA hypothesis of autism. Med Sci Monit. 2002 Aug;8(8):PR1-6.
6. Levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma during alcohol withdrawal. (GABA lower in alcohol withdrawl Psychiatry Res. 1995 Nov 29;59(1-2):137-44.
7. Goddard AW, Mason GF, Almai A, Rothman DL, Behar KL, Petroff OAC, Charney DS, Krystal JH (2001). Reductions in the occipital cortex GABA levels in panic disorder detected with ¹H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Arch Gen Psychiatry 58: 556-561.