Our brain is a powerful machine capable of unimaginable things. It influences the functioning of our entire body. To this day, things are still being discovered about its operation and the substances involved.
The study of neurotransmitters is essential to understand how the human mind works. Neurotransmitters are chemicals created by the body that transmit information from one neuron to another through contact points called synapses.
There are several neurotransmitters and surely you know some (serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline ...). In Psychology-Online we want to talk to you about GABA neurotransmitter and its functions, what it is related to, what happens when the levels of this neurotransmitter are low and how to increase them.
First of all, what is a neurotransmitter? A neurotransmitter can be defined as a synaptically released substance by a neuron that affects another neuron or muscle cell in a specific way. The criteria that a neurotransmitter must meet to be considered as such are:
- That can be synthesized in the neuron.
- That this present at presynaptic termination and is released in sufficient quantity to exercise its supposed action on the postsynaptic cell.
- That when applied exogenously in concentrations similar to those found in the neuron, it exactly mimics the action of the endogenously released neurotransmitter.
- That there is a specific mechanism to remove it from the synaptic space.
Within the amino acid neurotransmitters is the GAMMA-AMINO-BUTYRIC Acid (GABA). It is one of the most important neurotransmitters and the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter. Its function consists of slow down brain activity.
Has it ever happened to you that you feel stressed, sad or anxious for long periods for no apparent reason? One possibility is that your levels of the neurotransmitter GABA are low.
GABA helps us reduce levels of stress, anxiety and to reduce the likelihood of other health problems occurring. It is responsible for the regulation of muscle tone. It also influences sleep. For this reason, the GABA to sleep.
When we feel irritated, anxious or sad for no apparent reason, it may be because the GABA is below normal levels. In addition there are some mental disorders and diseases related to GABA dysfunction, such as some types of dementia, depression, schizophrenia, the autism, the epilepsy, the Bipolar disorder…
Between the GABA benefits, as we have seen, we can mention the reduction of stress, anxiety and improvement of sleepBut what if we introduce it artificially?
Lately, GABA supplements that ensure calm and well-being are very fashionable. Certain companies claim that these supplements that they often call "allies of happiness or well-being" have effects such as:
- Control panic attacks.
- Relax in case of overstimulation.
- Resolve Distress and Anxiety Naturally.
- Help athletes achieve optimal muscle mass gains.
- Pain reduction.
- It works efficiently against depressive states.
- Decreases seizures.
However, I have not found studies that support such properties, therefore I would not recommend them. Since there is no research that clearly concludes the properties and contraindications of GABA. If we want to increase our levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid we can do it Natural way.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
