Inside the brain are billions of neurons that are connected by messengers that transmit electrical impulses from one cell to another, allowing communication and thought to occur in the brain. A neurotransmitter (NT) is the chemical messenger used by these neurons to communicate with other neurons.

 

Neurotransmitters Function

 

Neurotransmitters in the brain

 

There are two basic kinds of Neurotransmitters in our central nervous system...

 

Excitatory Neurotransmitters:

 

Also known as catecholamines, Excitatory Neurotransmitters function in a way that involves our sympathetic response, commonly known as our “fight or flight” mechanism.

 

These primary neurotransmitters include: epinephrine, or the more familiar term adrenaline, norepinephrine or noradrenaline, dopamine, histamine, and glutamate.

 

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters:

 

Our inhibitory neurotransmitters are involved in our parasympathetic response; better known as our “rest and digest” mechanism.

 

The inhibitory neurotransmitters are serotonin and GABA. These are our feel-good NTs that down-regulate our “fight or flight” response.

 

Neurotransmitter Depletion or Imbalance

 

Man with his head in his hands experiencing neurotransmitter imbalance

 

When these neurotransmitters are imbalanced or depleted, it can cause a number of health problems. It can cause you to feel:

 

⦁ Easily agitated or angered

⦁ Tension

⦁ Over-arousal

⦁ Fear Stress

⦁ Aggressive 

⦁ Violent impulses

⦁ Obsessive compulsive actions and thoughts

⦁ Anxiety

⦁ Sleep disturbances

 

GABA Neurotransmitter

 

A woman looking content due to feel-good GABA neurotransmitters

 

In this conversation I’m going to talk about GABA, which stands for gamma-Aminobutyric acid. So, what is GABA? GABA not only plays the principal role of down-regulating our catecholamines, but it also regulates muscle relaxation.

 

These days I think we could all use a little more feel-good GABA neurotransmitters. If you have symptoms of agitation, nervousness or anxiousness, difficulty falling or staying asleep, or muscle tension, the simple answer is to supplement with GABA, right?

 

But here’s the catch! The primary enzyme that creates GABA is called GAD, and many folks possess a genetic mutation of GAD. A genetic weakness in the GAD enzyme may cause GABA to convert to glutamate.

 

Remember, glutamate is on our list of the primary excitatory neurotransmitters. So, with that GAD mutation, our feel-good neurotransmitters is doing just the opposite, causing a relative deficiency of GABA and an increase in glutamate. This imbalance creates an overstimulated nervous system.

 

Pro-GAD Enhancer

 

A hand holding supplement capsules used to enhance GAD Enzymes

 

So, what to do? Here’s where the supplement Pro-GAD Enhancer by Neuro Biologix comes in. Pro GAD Enhancer was created to assist patients with that GAD mutation, who have difficulty producing adequate amounts of GABA.

 

Pro-GAD Enhancer by Neuro Biologix

 

Contact Any of Our Pharmacies For More Info

 

Pro-GAD Enhancer has a low dose of Phenibut (beta-phenyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid). Phenibut is a special kind of GABA, which acts as a GABA-mimetic. In other words it mimics GABA.

 

The Phenyl group on the molecule prevents it from converting to glutamate. According to Neuro Biologix, “Phenibut molecule can be thought of as a ‘key’ to unlock ‘locks’ in the brain called GABA-receptors”.

 

Pro GAD Enhancer also includes: NAC, glycine, zinc and magnesium- all designed to help with relaxation and metabolize GABA.

 

Best of Health!

Radhia

 

Radhia Gleis, PhD, Med, CCN, is a certified Clinical Nutritionist/Holistic Practitioner, Wellness Director for Martins Compounding & Wellness Pharmacies with three locations in the Austin area. Contact [email protected]