“Natural GABA that actually crosses the blood-brain barrier.”
Most GABA supplements don't work because synthetic GABA can't cross the blood-brain barrier. PharmaGABA is different — it's naturally produced by Lactobacillus hilgardii fermentation (the same process used in traditional Korean kimchi). This natural form shows blood-brain barrier permeability in studies where synthetic GABA does not. Thorne sources exclusively from the Japanese manufacturer.
PharmaGABA (naturally fermented) — not synthetic GABA that can't cross BBB
Produced by Lactobacillus fermentation — bioidentical to endogenous GABA
Fast-acting: noticeable calm within 15–30 minutes
Thorne's standard third-party testing and purity verification
GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter — it literally turns down neural excitability. PharmaGABA (naturally fermented) shows increased alpha brain wave activity within 30 minutes of ingestion (EEG studies), indicating a relaxed-but-alert state. Studies show reduced salivary cortisol and IgA markers of stress compared to placebo.
From the sources we read every week for our concierge recommendations.
Ben Greenfield
“Unveiling GABA: Strategies for Anxiety and Restful Sleep”
How alcohol affects GABA Different ways alcohol binds to GABA receptors GABA is essential to maintaining sleep and getting into the REM phase CBD and CBG modulate the GABA system THC, benzos, and sleeping pills have a negative effect and can cause anxiety Trying to get patients off of those drugs and wean them on to natural equivalents Kratom affects GABA%2C%20an%20inhibitory%20neurotransmitter.) -Can you have too much GABA?…24:25 GABA-deficiency Low copper affects the binding of GABA Stress and cortisol cause GABA deficiency Infections can prevent the conversion of glutamate to GABA Too much GABA causes fatigue, brain fog, low blood pressure Leaky brain and GABA Somnium GABA cream (use code BEN20 to save 20%) — transdermal application Quicksilver Liposomal GABA (use code GREENFIELD15 to save 15%) -What is the Amanita muscaria mushroom?…26:47 Amanita muscaria mushroom Ibotenic acid — a neurotoxin that causes a psychedelic effect Agarin is the other compound of this mushroom It binds to the GABA receptor, just like GABA, and its half-life is 6 hours A fantastic compound for sleep The Santa Claus mythology Santa Sold Shrooms by Tero Isokauppila Scott’s company is the only one using it in a product for sleep Tro Zzz— created to be a comprehensive sleep solution (use code BEN to save 10%) Has agarin and honokiol It is a legal mushroom in every state in the United States except for Louisiana Four Sigmatic Kava is a natural plant and a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA receptor Trukava (use code BEN10 to save 10%) Magnolia bark or honokiol Works at the benzodiazepine site of the GABA receptor Doesn't have the same tolerance, withdrawal, or dependence issues -Are GABAA receptors responsible for sleep and anxiety?…30:59
read the source →Examine.com
“Research Breakdown on Alpha-GPC - Examine”
Administration of Alpha-GPC prior to scopolamine (cholinergic toxin) administration is able to attenuate the performence impairment from scopolamine when taken three hours prior to the test (single dose, scopolamine given 30 minutes before testing)[[30]](https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/research/#ref-30)[[33]](https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/research/#ref-33) with maximal benefit seen at either 600mg/kg[[33]](https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/research/#ref-33) or 300mg/kg.[[30]](https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/research/#ref-30) This has been confirmed in a pilot study in otherwise healthy humans where the amnesiac effects of scopolamine were ablated, and appeared to be due to the cholinergic properties as amnesia via benzodiazepines was not affected.[[36]](https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/research/#ref-36) Comparatively speaking, this anti-amnesiac effect is more potent than both idebenone (synthetic analogue of CoQ10) and aniracetam (mentioned via this review,[[3]](https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/research/#ref-3) primary study not available online). Appears to be protective against cholinergic toxins 3.5 Glutaminergic Neurotransmission It has been noted[[3]](https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/research/#ref-3) that due to the ability of Alpha-GPC to increase cholinergic activity in the brain, that activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (and subsequent activation of PI3K) could confer protection against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. No evidence directly assessing the interactions of Alpha-GPC and glutaminergic neurotransmission, but theoretically it can be neuroprotective (a trait common to choline containing compounds) 3.6 GABAergic Neurotransmission Alpha-GPC has been implicated in GABA release via the noradrenergic system.[[37]](https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/research/#ref-37) 30-300mg/kg intraperitoneal injections has been noted to increase GABA release with peak efficacy after 150 minutes (130% of baseline) and potentiated by atropine but not mecamylamine (reaching nearly 160% in half the time) while it was abolished by the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin and slightly hindered by physostigmine.[[37]](https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/research/#ref-37) The Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor is known to facilitate GABA release.[[38]](https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/research/#ref-38)[[39]](https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/research/#ref-39) In vitro, 1.2mM but not 0.12mM was effective in increasing spontaneous GABA release from neurons and was again inhibited by prazosin.[[37]](https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-gpc/research/#ref-37) Alpha-GPC appears to increase GABA release secondary to acting through Alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. It is not yet clear whether Alpha-GPC is acting as a ligand at these receptors (similar to agmatine), whether it merely potentiates the signalling of other ligands, or whether this is just due to an increase in noradrenaline release 3.7 Attention
read the source →Chew 1 tablet (100mg) as needed for situational stress. Can take 1–3 tablets daily. Works within 15–30 minutes. Non-drowsy — safe for daytime use. Can also take before bed to quiet racing thoughts.
Who it's for
Anyone who needs fast-acting, non-drowsy calm — before presentations, flights, difficult conversations, or busy days. Works within 15–30 minutes unlike adaptogens that take weeks.
Get Thorne PharmaGABAAffiliate link. We earn a small commission — it's how we keep Wellav8 free. We'd recommend this regardless.
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