What Is GABA Or Gamma-aminobutyric Acid? The Relaxation Neurotransmitter
Why is GABA and its properties so important in psychology? What are the benefits of this neurotransmitter for our mental health? Discover what it is and what its function is.
He GABA It is a neurotransmitter that plays a very important role in how people experience anxiety, fear, and stress. This is because gaba has the function of slowing down or blocking some of the nervous signals that occur in our brain. This is why when there is an adequate level of GABA in our body, nerve cells can activate in such a way that they end up alleviating certain reactions that are closely related to anxiety disorders.
When we talk about neutrotransmitters, we are referring to the chemical messengers of our nervous system. He gamma aminobutyric acid or GABA It is one of the inhibitory neurotransmitters of our central nervous system. Therefore, gaba and its function involve limiting nerve transmission to avoid the stimulation of our neurons.
GABA reduces the tendency of our neurons to perform an action potential, that is, neuronal stimulation. In this way, it makes neurons less likely to excite nearby neurons. In many cases, having or not having more natural GABA It is usually associated with certain neurological and psychological conditions.
Gaba and its properties for mental health
He Gaba is a neurotransmitter which has an inhibitory effect on our nervous system. This function allows you to have an effect on the feelings that occur due to anxiety, stress and fear.
Gaba and anxiety
It has been proven that people who suffer from anxiety often have a GABA deficiency as a common factor. In this way, benzodiazepines are one of the most used anti-anxiety medications that act on the GABA receptors causing those nervous signals that produce this disorder to slow down.
Gaba and schizophrenia
have less GABA may be associated with cognitive deficits. When there is a lack of GABA transporters and receptors, there is an association with certain clinical characteristics of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or cognitive impairment.
ASD (autism spectrum disorder)
Although the pathology related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is not clear, there are studies that relate it to some anomalies between the functioning of the GABA and neurotransmitters excitators (such as glutamate).
major depression
Lower levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid in our body are also associated with depression. This is because GABA can work in collaboration with other neurotransmitters such as serotonin, involved in our moods.
As we have highlighted, the levels that are more low GABA They are usually related to a series of mental disorders. On the other hand, when these GABA levels are optimized, people usually experience an improvement in their mood, concentration and the quality of their sleep.
GABA for sleep: When our body produces GABA, our central nervous system slows down, making people feel more relaxed and in many cases sleepier. Thus, GABA and foods that can improve it, such as those that contain magnesium, can improve our sleep.
Stress and anxious thoughts: Since the GABA It has a great role in balancing the excitatory effects of glutamine, there is evidence to believe that it helps control feelings of stress
Concentration: Studies have shown that properties of GABA They can have a very positive influence on a person’s ability to perform tasks that require a certain concentration. In addition, there is also research that shows that these are capable of relieving the psychological and physical fatigue that usually hinders our ability to pay attention.
If you are affected in any of these aspects related to a GABA level lower than normal, it is important that you consult with a professional psychologist to begin managing these effects.
How to have healthy levels of GABA?
The concentrations of natural GABA in our body they seem to decrease with age. But even so, there are some studies that indicate that they can be optimized through supplementation, diet and our lifestyle. According to neurology doctor Illene Sue Ruhoy, there are some strategies, backed by research, that can improve the activity of the GABAergic system.
Magnesium: Eating foods rich in magnesium helps alleviate side effects that are associated with low levels of the neurotransmitter GABA. Among them, insomnia and stress. Magnesium is an agonist of GABA receptor which implies that it binds to GABA receptors and activates them.
Meditation and exercise: Studies have shown that to improve the gabaergic system It is highly recommended to exercise and meditate. This happens since these two activities allow us to reduce both the tone and the tension accumulated in the central nervous system.
Diet: Diet is crucial in trying to maintain healthy blood levels. GABA and inhibitory neurotransmitters Therefore, cutting out processed foods and consuming a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods is the best way to try to balance the function of our body’s natural GABA.
Herbal infusions: Some herbs have also been shown to be effective in improving GABA receptor function. This is because they can behave as agonists of GABA receptor, as does magnesium. According to Dr. Ruhoy’s research, valerian and lemon balm are two of them.
Knowing how our body works can be the first step to start taking care of our interior. In many cases, to be able to do this it is advisable to go to a professional psychologist.
