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GABA SupplementsEvidence & Dosage

Blood-brain barrier, fermented GABA, and efficacy data.

Studies last updated

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
243
With abstract
50
Meta / Systematic / RCT
115
Highly cited
50
Publication years
1998–2026

GABA Supplements in the context of Sleep

This topic is part of our "Sleep" world. There you'll find methodology, evidence and the highest-impact levers — plus the order in which they sensibly build on each other.

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Top studies on GABA Supplements

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. Pregabalin for neuropathic pain in adults.

    Cochrane Database Syst Rev2019n=11,906Meta-Analysis177 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>This review updates part of an earlier Cochrane Review titled "Pregabalin for acute and chronic pain in adults", and considers only neuropathic pain (pain from damage to nervous tissue). Antiepileptic drugs have long…

    Finding: In postherpetic neuralgia, pregabalin 300 mg increased the proportion of participants achieving at least 30% pain intensity reduction compared with placebo.

  2. Effects of Oral Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Administration on Stress and Sleep in Humans: A Systematic Review.

    Front Neurosci2020n=14Systematic Review117 influential citations

    Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-proteinogenic amino acid and is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain. GABA's stress-reducing, and sleep enhancing effects have been established. However, although several human…

  3. GABAergic dysfunction in mood disorders.

    Molecular psychiatry2003111 influential citations

    The authors review the available literature on the preclinical and clinical studies involving GABAergic neurotransmission in mood disorders. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter present almost exclusively in the…

  4. Glutamate and GABA systems as targets for novel antidepressant and mood-stabilizing treatments.

    Molecular psychiatry2002111 influential citations

    Glutamate and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) systems are emerging as targets for development of medications for mood disorders. There is increasing preclinical and clinical evidence that antidepressant drugs directly or indirectly reduce…

  5. Brain GABA levels across psychiatric disorders: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of (1) H-MRS studies.

    Hum Brain Mapp2016n=1,591Meta-Analysis109 influential citations

    The inhibitory gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) system is involved in the etiology of most psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). It is therefore not surprising…

  6. The role of glutamate and GABA in cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia and mood disorders - A systematic review of magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies.

    Schizophr Res2022n=37Systematic Review94 influential citations

    Epidemiologic, genetic, and neurobiological studies suggest considerable overlap between schizophrenia and mood disorders. Importantly, both disorders are associated with a broad range of cognitive deficits as well as altered glutamatergic…

  7. The analgesic effects of perioperative gabapentin on postoperative pain: a meta-analysis.

    Reg Anesth Pain Med2006n=896Meta-Analysis74 influential citations

    <h4>Background and objectives</h4>Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of neuropathic and inflammatory pain in animal and human studies. The analgesic effect of its perioperative use has not…

  8. Pharmacological and neurosurgical interventions for individuals with cerebral palsy and dystonia: a systematic review update and meta-analysis.

    Dev Med Child Neurol2021n=915Meta-Analysis71 influential citations

    Aim To update a systematic review of evidence published up to December 2015 for pharmacological/neurosurgical interventions among individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) and dystonia. Method Searches were updated (January 2016 to May 2020)…

    Finding: Intrathecal baclofen and deep brain stimulation may improve quality of life in individuals with cerebral palsy and dystonia.

  9. Efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation combined with antidepressant medications for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

    Syst Rev2024n=135Meta-Analysis67 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Antidepressants, noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS), and their combination are commonly used in routine clinical practice. Nevertheless, there is a continuous dispute regarding whether the effectiveness of NIBS in…

    Finding: In this meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials, combination treatment with non-invasive brain stimulation and antidepressants was significantly more effective than antidepressant monotherapy for improving depressive symptoms.

  10. A new generation of antidepressants: an update on the pharmaceutical pipeline for novel and rapid-acting therapeutics in mood disorders based on glutamate/GABA neurotransmitter systems.

    Drug Discov Today2019Systematic Review66 influential citations

    Mood disorders represent the largest cause of disability worldwide. The monoaminergic deficiency hypothesis, which has dominated the conceptual framework for researching the pathophysiology of mood disorders and the development of novel…

Frequently asked

What does the evidence say about GABA Supplements?
In postherpetic neuralgia, pregabalin 300 mg increased the proportion of participants achieving at least 30% pain intensity reduction compared with placebo.
What dosage was studied?
• Pregabalin (oral) (150 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg daily) • Oral natural GABA or biosynthetic GABA (Natural GABA: 2.01–26.4 mg; biosynthetic GABA: 20–300 mg)
Are there safety considerations for GABA Supplements?
• Somnolence was more common with pregabalin than placebo. • Dizziness was more common with pregabalin than placebo. • Serious adverse events were not increased versus placebo. • No adverse events were reported in the excerpt.

Related articles

Knowledge

GABA Supplements - Oral Effectiveness or Not?

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) is a neurotransmitter produced in the brain. Although it can be taken orally, there are only a few scientific studies that demonstrate its effectiveness. The evidence is limited.

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