Is GABA for sleep a good idea?

[Tiger Lily 813]

Hi, I am running low on tolerable options for sleep and it is such an issue (waking at 3 am when I need to get up at 5 am...). I wanted to try gaba but was concerned that it would throw off my balance if I took it regularly. What do you all think? I don't have a good integrative doc right now that I trust with this question, so eager to find out what I can from anecdotal experience... Thank you!

 

[dr. Arf]

Take it two times a week so it doesn’t lose tolerance

i use Pregabalin 2x a week and it helps me sleep better(good dreams)

 

[Alvin2]

It has no effect on sleep beyond a placebo effect, it cannot cross the blood-brain barrier.

 

[pamojja]

it cannot cross the blood-brain barrier.

Since the blood-brain barrier may be impaired, it can have effects beyond placebo.

 

[dr. Arf]

Take it two times a week so it doesn’t lose tolerance

Sorry. I was entirely brain fogged when I wrote that.
GABA did not do anything to me.

It is Gabapentoids that DO help me (2x/week)
- interesting they’re mechanism does not affect GABA receptors directly.
- it has broader effects: lowering excitatory neurotransmitter release, which reduces neuronal excitability = for me calms the brain (fog), improves sleeps, shields PEM