Can you use the supplement GABA with an antidepressant?

Question

Can you use the supplement GABA with an antidepressant?

Answer 1

NO!

Even though GABA is a natural supplement, it's shouldn't be used with an antidepressant.  Look at any bottle of GABA, and it'll tell you.

Let's see if I remember this right...

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the brain.  Stimulation of GABA causes your body to relax and can induce sleep.

GABA supplements add to your body's GABA supply, producing a calming effect.

Antidepressants function to stimulate the functioning of the GABA already in your body, producing a calming effect.

Therefore taking both would: increase your GABA supply, as well as stimulating ALL of that GABA in your body.  It's overload!

If you're still unsure, talk to a health professional.

Answer 2

Ok, it depends I think (I'm not a doctor so this may not be 100% sure).  

First, Gaba is the brain chemical gamma butyric acid. GABA is a naturally occurring chemical (amino acid) found in the brain that is responsible for an upbeat mood, positive self-image, and sound sleep. Classified as a neurotransmitter, GABA seems to regulate the anti-anxiety part of the brain. People who suffer anxiety attacks may have a chemical imbalance that includes low levels of GABA. Since many people eat poor diets and are over-exposed to environmental toxins, GABA levels may fall below optimum amounts in many people.

Some people use GABA in large doses to stimulate the production of human growth hormone or HGH by the anterior section of the pituitary gland. HGH is muscle building and helps prevent fat accumulation in the body.

That being said, if you have a chemical imbalance in the brain, as described above, I think that it is OK to take with an anti-depressant.  This is because the GABA is acting as a temporary source to fix that chemical imbalance.  Thus, I would think that taking the anti-depressant is Ok.  However, why would you be wanting to take an anti-depressant if that is the job of GABA?  

If you take it for HGH, I think I would say no...

Consult your doctor though, I've never taken the two together and I'm not sure of the reaction between the two and the effect on the body...

IF YOU DO take both, take a small dosage of the anti...

Answer 3

It should be ok.

If you feel weird, stop taking them.

I think it would also depend on your antidepressant and how much you're taking