Melatonin makes you dizzy? A better natural sleep aid might be GABA

You toss and turn all night and wake up feeling dizzy. You may have already tried using a new pillow with better neck support, but still found it impossible to sleep well. Maybe melatonin doesn’t work for you either. Many Americans are dealing with it insomniaand the consequences can be serious. Not only can a lack of sleep affect your mood; it can also affect brain function and even weaken your immune system.

The possible causes (and solutions) for this inability to rest can seem endless, but before you take drastic action, adding a sleep aid supplement to your nighttime routine is an inexpensive and often effective treatment. If typical solutions like yoga, journaling, or melatonin haven’t worked, consider giving this alternative supplement a try.

Enter gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA.

It is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body and promotes a calming effect. GABA is often taken as a dietary supplement, but it has been proven that it can be a good sleep aid as an alternative to melatonin. It only affects the early stages of sleep and makes you feel more awake in the morning (some people say that popular sleep supplements like Melatonin makes them dizzy). Although there is limited research, small studies have shown positive results showing that GABA may be worth a try if you have trouble falling asleep.

Here’s what we know about GABA, tips on how to use it, and why it could be a viable sleep aid to consider.

For more help getting good rest, try these seven natural sleep remedies for insomnia and how to do them Create the perfect environment for sleeping.

What is GABA?

GABA is a neurotransmitter occurs naturally in the brain and in some foods such as tomatoes and soybeans. It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that blocks chemical signals in the central nervous system and reduces brain activity. GABA can help promote calmness in the body and helps regulate the hyperactivity of nerve cells when you feel anxious, anxious or stressed.

It is sold over the counter as a dietary supplement, but GABA’s effects can also be beneficial for people who have trouble falling asleep.

Using GABA for Sleep

Alone or in combination with other natural sleep aids, GABA supplements can help address this problem anxiety, stress and an overactive brainthree main offenders that make it difficult to fall asleep. The calming effect puts the mind in a relaxed state so you are in the right headspace to fall asleep.

Low GABA levels have actually been linked to sleep deprivation one study found that participants with insomnia had 30% lower levels of GABA in their systems. Another one small-scale study of Frontiers in Neuroscience among middle-aged adults found that taking 300 mg of GABA before bed for at least a week can reduce sleep latency (the amount of time it takes to fall asleep).

There is no concrete evidence that GABA promotes sleep efficiency (sleep quality and slow wave sleep), but the results of the study showed that it can promote sleepiness because it affects the early stages of sleep. Another advantage is that it doesn’t leave you with any feeling sleepy the next morning such as other over-the-counter medications such as ZzzQuil or prescription sleep medications.

Tips for Taking GABA to Promote Sleep

1. GABA can be taken as a supplement or as a powder with food.

2. Take GABA 30 to 60 minutes before bed for the best results (as shown in studies).

3. Follow dosing instructions and keep track of how much and how often you use GABA.

4. Use a sleep diary to document your sleep quality so you can identify patterns and possible side effects while monitoring GABA’s effectiveness.

5. GABA occurs naturally in fermented foods such as kimchi, sourdough, sake and mulberry beer.

6. Always talk to your doctor before taking GABA or any new supplements.

Is it safe to take GABA every night?

According to the Sleep Foundation, there are no serious side effects when taking GABA in small doses from sleep or from dietary supplements, although some consumers have reported feeling stomach aches or headaches. High levels of GABA in the brain are linked to daytime sleepiness, and a small number of people report sleepiness after taking GABA.

People at higher risk for an adverse reaction to GABA include:

• Pregnant people
• People under 18 years old
• Those who take prescriptions for high blood pressure
• Those taking anti-seizure medications

Other benefits of GABA: Stress and anxiety relief

Although research is still limited, more and more data continues to emerge supporting GABA as a stress and anxiety reliever. Relieving anxiety and stress before bed should not be taken lightly as it can have a significant impact sleep latency and overall sleep quality.

• One study from 2012 showed that taking GABA after 30 minutes relieved stress in participants.
• Low levels of GABA can lead to: anxiety and depression and are common in people with mental health problems.
• There is a high dose of GABA in the Chlorella supplement because the neurotransmitter has been shown to lower blood pressure.

As you should do with any new supplement, consult your doctor before taking GABA, especially if it is taken in combination with other medications or prescriptions.