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Gaba

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Gaba didn't work for me, but everyone's chemistry is different. That's good to consider interactions with anti-anxiety meds. I found Magnesium to be surprisingly effective in relaxing my muscles. I took it in pill form.
 
Gaba itself doesn't work, as it's not missive to the blood/brain barrier. There are formulations meant to address this problem one called Phenibut, another Picamilon. Picamilon is supposedly much better--I haven't tried it, personally. Both are sold as supplements, and can be purchased online. Phenibut can occasionally be found in specialty stores, but not Picamilon, as far as I know. Purchasing GABA, itself, is a waste of money. There are other formulations/supplemets better for sleep. 5-HTP is one...but should be avoided if one is taking any SSRI (possible serotonin syndrome)...it's especially effective in those who crave carbs later in the evening. L-Theanine is another, as well as Melatonin (6mg, at least)...though Melatonin is not particularly effective for those under age 50, or so often not until age 60). They've long been trying to come up with a pharm. that replicates GABA purely in its action--that's what gabapentin was meant to do...but doesn't. They haven't had much luck so far...although many recommend Baclofen, as it has GABAergic properties (though it's a prescription). I'm not a licensed healthcare practitioner, and any supplements should be used with the knowledge of a physician, especially when combined with other medications.

Magnesium is effective for many as a muscle relaxant...supposedly over 90% of U.S. citizens are magnesium deficient, and it's necessary for nerve conduction. Calcium, also, but recent studies suggest that previously recommended levels of Calcium are in fact too high, and may have adverse effects, long term, at previously recommended dosages.

Good luck.
 
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If you are taking anti-anxiety meds, your blood pressure is probably down unless your tolerance is too high now. Anyhow, you might want to check it. A pounding heart accompanied my insomnia plenty of nights - but I have natural ways to get it down now.
 
I agree with Promicarus in that GABA isn't effective because it doesn't pass the brain blood barrier. However, I disagree that melatonin isn't effective for those under age 50. I haven't had luck with melatonin pills as much of the good stuff seems to be destroyed as it goes thru your body, but I have had excellent results with sublingual melatonin.
 
I disagree that melatonin isn't effective for those under age 50.

Me too! Melatonin was really helpful when I had insomnia. In the UK, you can only get it on prescription, and the chances of getting it from an unenlightened and underfunded NHS doctor are pretty much zero. I got some by seeing a doctor privately and paying for a private prescription. Very expensive and I couldn't sustain the cost. How I wished..... It was nice while it lasted.
 
Before my mid/late 50's I took Melatonin and it worked great for me. I've taken Source Natural's GABA Calm since then and it's worked fairly well. It's a bit pricy though and sometimes tricky to find. One 50mg gel tab of diphenhydramine HCL (found in Unisom gel tabs) will knock me out in 20 minutes, keep me out for 6-7 hours, and render me unfunctional the next day.
 
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I am going to start Melatonin tonight to see if it helps me sleep better. I am medication free aside a prn for Immovane. I discontinued my Ativan prescription today (and feel quite liberated). :D
 
Don't know why my second post was removed...but as I said in my first post...Melatonin is not PARTICULARLY effective under 50-60 or so...which is not to say that it's completely INEFFECTIVE. There's a distinction there. And I'm not familiar with "GABA calm"..but I'll hazard a guess that it contains more ingredients than just GABA. Melatonin is good for resetting/regulating circadian rhythms, though, at any age.
 
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