8/9/2020 GABA Supplements for Autism - Autism Parenting Magazine
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GABA Supplements for Autism
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What is GABA?
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter
in the central nervous system. It is responsible for “reducing neuronal
excitability throughout the nervous system.” By decreasing activity in the
nervous system, GABA aid in reducing ght or ight responses such as fear,
anxiety, aggression, stress, and agitation.
Research suggests it might also be key in reducing seizure activity, mood
disorders, and attention de cit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). GABA was long
thought to be unable to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) suggesting
that improvement with supplementation was largely placebo. However, new
research shows that GABA can penetrate the BBB in small amounts, lending
credibility to the countless anecdotal accounts of GABA supplements calming
the nervous system.
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8/9/2020 GABA Supplements for Autism - Autism Parenting Magazine
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GABA Supplements
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Researchers are in the early phases of understanding GABA supplement’s
mechanism of action, but anecdotal evidence suggests that supplementation
produces sustained bene ts throughout the central nervous system.
(Boonstra, et al., 2015)
What is GABA product for autism?
Many people with autism use GABA supplements because of their wide
scope of bene ts. People with autism have high instances of co-occurring
anxiety or mood disorders and report higher levels of agitation and irritation
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8/9/2020 GABA Supplements for Autism - Autism Parenting Magazine
than their neurotypical peers. Additionally, people with autism are at a
Autism
higher risk for seizures, with Parenting
20-30 percent Magazine
of children with autism
developing epilepsy by the time they reach adulthood.
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(Autism Spectrum Disorder Face Sheet, 2019) A study published in
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews notes that autism (and commonly
comorbid Fragile X Syndrome, Rett syndrome, and Fetal anticonvulsant
syndrome) may be linked to “dysfunction in particular aspects of GABAeergic
inhibitory signaling in the brain.” (Coghlan, et al., 2012) Supplementing
inhibited GABA signaling might be an e ective way to increase the e cacy of
the central nervous system. When used for autism treatment, GABA is
usually taken as a dietary supplement in pill form. GABA supplements for
autism are available in pills and chewable tablets.
The e ects of GABA on children with
autism
Autism and the comorbid disorders featured above might share a “common
neurobiological pathway…which critically involved impairments in particular
aspects of inhibitory GABA neurotransmission.” (Coghlan, et al., 2012)
This means that if anecdotal evidence proves true, children with special
needs could bene t from GABA supplementation more than most other
demographics. As researchers continue their quest to pinpoint exactly how
GABA supplementation helps, parents and caregivers of children with special
needs are eager to share why the supplement has become a staple in autism
treatment.
Children with autism might bene t from one or more of the following:
decreased anxiety, an increase in mood stability, reduced seizure activity,
better sleep, and a decrease in comorbid ADHD symptoms. As GABA calms
the central nervous system, some children show secondary bene ts of
improved socialization (likely due to decreased anxiety) and improved school
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8/9/2020 GABA Supplements for Autism - Autism Parenting Magazine
performance (possibly due to a reduction in ADHD symptoms). It is important
Autism
to remember that every child Parenting
responds Magazine
to GABA supplementation di erently
and research is still inconclusive as to how GABA supplementation works in
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children with autism.
Can GABA supplements help treat my
child’s ADHD symptoms?
A study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that “reduced
GABA concentration in ADHD in concordant with recently reported de cits in
short intracortical inhibition in ADHD and suggests a GABAergic de cit in
ADHD.” (Edden, Crocetti, Zhu, Gilbert, & Mostofsky, 2012) Despite the
relationship between low GABA concentration and ADHD diagnoses, the
e cacy of GABA supplements has not been widely studied. However, GABA
supplements have amassed quite the reputation for being a holistic
component of treating ADHD. One study at the Kyorin University Medical
School in Japan conducted a study that indicated GABA potentially helps
students with ADHD.
The researchers used PharmaGABA which is made using Lactobacillus
hilgardii (a bacteria used to ferment vegetables) and provided the
supplement to schoolchildren who then took a math test. Of the 60 students
in the study, the test group was given 100mg of PharmaGABA, and the
control group was given a placebo. The test group scored 20 percent higher
on the math test than the control group given a placebo. This study was
conducted on a group of children not diagnosed with ADHD; however, lead
researcher Dr. Michael Murray expects that students with ADHD would
respond similarly.
Are there side e ects of GABA on
autism?
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8/9/2020 GABA Supplements for Autism - Autism Parenting Magazine
At this time, the United States Food and Drug Administration regards dietary
supplements as a food and Autism
not aParenting Magazine
drug. At its current status of a “food,” GABA
supplements are not being federally studied for possible e ects or side
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e ects. Limited studies by a third party and private institutions have
rendered inconclusive evidence of side e ects.
Before you introduce a GABA supplement to your child’s diet, it would be
wise to consult with your child’s pediatrician for advice on dosing and
possible interactions with other medications or supplements. Creating a
dosing journal where you can chart the dosage your child was given along
with any changes in behavior (positive or negative) along with any physical
symptoms can be useful. It might also be helpful to only introduce one new
supplement at a time so that you can isolate any physical or behavioral
changes.
Due to its sleep bene ts, some people have found GABA to be mildly
sedating. When paired with an anxiety medication or mood stabilizer, be
mindful of lethargy, sluggishness, or the sensation of moving/thinking in slow
motion. This may mean that the central and peripheral nervous systems are
overly calmed. Be sure you report any changes in behavior to a pediatrician
or psychiatrist.
Choosing evidence-based treatment
Choosing evidence-based treatment is likely a priority for you when deciding
what options to pursue with your child. While GABA supplements are not
widely studied, the research thus far points to GABA supplements being a
safe option to try even if we are not sure how they work. The most recent
studies suggest that a therapeutic dose of GABA supplement is between 200
and 800 milligrams.
Young children at low weights should be given lower dosages. Your child’s
pediatrician can help you determine an appropriate dosage for your child’s
height,
38 weight,
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a therapeutic range, start low and increase the dosage as recommended by
Autism to
your pediatrician and according Parenting Magazine
your child’s needs.
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The possibilities of treating ASD
As researchers understand more about ASD, new treatments are cropping
up regularly. For many families who feel as though they have exhausted
every avenue of treatment, new studies are constantly evolving autism
treatment. It is important to remember while autism is not curable,
evidence-based treatments such as GABA supplements are always worth
discussing with your child’s pediatrician.
Keep in mind that not all children are the same, so suggested remedies may
not bene t your child. Perhaps melatonin and GABA supplements would be a
successful combination to help your child sleep. An anti-anxiety medication
or a mood stabilizer paired with GABA supplements might help your child
manage anxiety or mood disorders. Anti-convulsant medication and GABA
supplements might help your child reduce his/her instances of seizures.
Remaining open to exploring new treatments for ASD is key in nding what
works best for your child. Keep an open line of communication with your
child’s treatment team and stay curious about possible treatments to give
you and your child a better quality of life. Always verify use with your child’s
doctor to ensure it does not interfere with other medicines.
References:
Autism Spectrum Disorder Fact Sheet. (2019, May). Retrieved May, 2019,
from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-
Sheets/Autism-Spectrum-Disorder-Fact-Sheet
Boonstra, E., De Kleijn, R., Colzato, L. S., Alkemade, A., Forstmann, B. U., &
Nieuwenhuis, S. (2015, October 06). Neurotransmitters as food supplements:
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8/9/2020 GABA Supplements for Autism - Autism Parenting Magazine
The e ects of GABA on brain and behavior. Retrieved May, 2019, from
Autism Parenting Magazine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4594160/
SEND ME MY FREE MAGAZINE NOW!
Coghlan, S., Horder, J., Inkster, B., Mendez, M. A., Murphy, D. G., & Nutt, D. J.
(2012, July 25). GABA system dysfunction in autism and related disorders:
From synapse to symptoms. Retrieved May, 2019, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4477717/
Edden, R. A., Crocetti, D., Zhu, H., Gilbert, D. L., & Mostofsky, S. H. (2012, July).
Reduced GABA concentration in attention-de cit/hyperactivity disorder.
Retrieved May, 2019, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3970207/
Elizabeth, R. (n.d.). Children’s Dosage of GABA Supplements for ADHD.
Retrieved May, 2019, from https://www.livestrong.com/article/517318-
childrens-dosage-of-gaba-supplements-for-adhd/
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Autism
Autism Parenting Magazine tries to Parenting Magazine
deliver honest, unbiased reviews, resources,
and advice, but please note that due to the variety of capabilities of people on the
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spectrum, information cannot be guaranteed by the magazine or its writers.
Medical content, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other
material contained within is never intended to be a substitute for
professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a
physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and
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AUTISM DIET
ShareAND NUTRITION by
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Autism Parenting Magazine
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Katherine G. Hobbs
Katherine G. Hobbs is a researcher and journalist for Autism Parenting Magazine
dedicated to bringing awareness of resources to families a ected by autism spectrum
disorder. She lives in Florida where she teaches preschool and elementary-aged
children of all abilities. Her passion for autism awareness began as a child in grade
school with a dear friend. . You can nd her online at katherineghobbs.com and
Instagram.
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