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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by guttersnipe on May 27, 2004, at 3:14:45
Hello all,
I have read, time and again, that very little or no GABA crosses the blood-brain barrier. But, I have also read countless anecdotal reports (including the "the jury's in" thread below) that taking GABA orally can have a calming effect on people. So as an experiment I bought some GABA powder today and took a little over a half-teaspoon of it (approx. 1500 mg) in some water on an empty stomach, and sure enough, about 20 minutes later I noticed a slightly mellowed state of consciousness similar to that of a rather small dose of a benzodiazepine, and a slight tingly feeling in my body.
I have read that several scientific studies indicate that in the mammalian brain, some GABA is metabolized into GHB by something called succinic semialdehyde.
So I wonder: could the same (or another) metabolic process be converting some portion of orally-consumed GABA into GHB, which then crosses the blood-brain barrier and is responsible for the calming effect of taking GABA supplements?
(It seems unlikely, as I have read that GHB doses are usually in the 1.5 - 2 gram range, but I cannot think of how else orally-consumed GABA might be effective if little or none of it makes its way across the blood-brain barrier.)
Does anyone who's knowledgeable about chemistry, the metabolic processes of the human body, etc., have any thoughts about my speculative hypothesis on why GABA supplements do in fact seem to work? [please, no "date-rape drug" propaganda ... the original, and still BY FAR the most common, "date-rape drug" is booze, not GHB or Rohypnol].
Thanks in advance for comments.
Posted by btnd on May 29, 2004, at 14:04:41
In reply to could orally-taken GABA just = small GHB dose?, posted by guttersnipe on May 27, 2004, at 3:14:45
> Hello all,
>
> I have read, time and again, that very little or no GABA crosses the blood-brain barrier. But, I have also read countless anecdotal reports (including the "the jury's in" thread below) that taking GABA orally can have a calming effect on people.In theory yes. For me it hasn't worked (although GHB is very effective for me - read my recent posts on GHB(Xyrem). Even Picamilon is more-effective, because it is GABA bonded with niacin(B3) to increase its BBB effect.
> I have read that several scientific studies indicate that in the mammalian brain, some GABA is metabolized into GHB by something called succinic semialdehyde.In the brain - yes, it might. But GABA supplement doesn't reach brain in sufficient doses to turn into GHB so that it would have GHB's effects.
> So I wonder: could the same (or another) metabolic process be converting some portion of orally-consumed GABA into GHB, which then crosses the blood-brain barrier and is responsible for the calming effect of taking GABA supplements?
I don't think so. I think "the calming effect" of GABA would be because of low-doses actually get across BBB, and calm in the way that GABA increasing drugs would calm.
> (It seems unlikely, as I have read that GHB doses are usually in the 1.5 - 2 gram range, but I cannot think of how else orally-consumed GABA might be effective if little or none of it makes its way across the blood-brain barrier.)Exactly.
> Does anyone who's knowledgeable about chemistry, the metabolic processes of the human body, etc., have any thoughts about my speculative hypothesis on why GABA supplements do in fact seem to work? [please, no "date-rape drug" propaganda ... the original, and still BY FAR the most common, "date-rape drug" is booze, not GHB or Rohypnol].
I agree with the date-rape drugs. And I can safe that I'm fairly knowledgeable on GHB/GABA subject , I've been into GHB/GABA(a)/GABA(b) studies/experiences/posts for more than 1.5 years. If you want some info - ask ;-)
Posted by guttersnipe on June 3, 2004, at 1:10:04
In reply to Re: could orally-taken GABA just = small GHB dose? » guttersnipe, posted by btnd on May 29, 2004, at 14:04:41
This is the end of the thread.
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