GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is known as a naturally occurring amino acid in the brain that helps calm nervous system activity. As the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, it plays a key role in promoting relaxation and emotional balance.
Chronic stress can cause an excessive release of cortisol stress hormones, which can disrupt the neurotransmitter balance in the brain, including GABA. GABA supplements in your daily routine may replenish these levels, providing better mood regulation.
This exclusive blog post includes a list of the 10 best GABA supplements in 2025, based on their quality, effectiveness, and user experience, to help you choose the right formula for stress support.
According to its official site, Solgar GABA may support a calm and balanced nervous system. It might help moderate nerve signals in your brain, contributing to emotional stability and relaxation. The official website states that Solgar GABA may also help promote mental calmness and support stress management. The makers mention avoiding artificial additives or fillers and utilizing advanced purification methods such as USP-grade water and HEPA air filtration to uphold their high standards.
According to its official website, Now GABA provides 500 mg of gamma-aminobutyric acid per capsule, along with 2 mg of vitamin B-6 to support its absorption and function.
Now GABA could help regulate nerve activity by inhibiting overexcitation in the central nervous system. This calming effect may promote relaxation, reduce nervous tension, and support a balanced mood.
The inclusion of vitamin B-6 (in the form of pyridoxine HCl) in Now GABA may support the normal function of the nervous system and aid in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, including GABA itself.
Source Naturals Serene Science GABA could support a calm and relaxed state of mind by providing 750mg of GABA per single capsule. It may help promote mental ease and muscle relaxation during periods of stress or overstimulation. Source Naturals Serene Science GABA is produced in Scotts Valley, California, under the standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is said to be free from artificial additives and preservatives.
Thorne claims that its PharmaGABA-100 has 100 mg of natural gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) per capsule. It may help control nervous system activity, promoting a sense of calm and easing stress.
Thorne PharmaGABA-100 may also help reduce beta brain wave activity and increase alpha wave production. It is third-party tested to ensure accurate labeling and the absence of any harmful contaminants, including heavy metals, pesticides, and microorganisms.
As per the makers, Double Wood Supplements GABA can support relaxation, stress relief, and sleep quality. Each Double Wood Supplements GABA bottle contains 300 capsules, providing 150 servings of 1,000 mg of GABA per two capsules.
The brand claims that its GABA supplement is manufactured and tested in the USA using globally sourced ingredients. Every batch is screened for microbial contaminants and heavy metals, ensuring high safety standards.
As per its official website, Stress-Relax Pharma GABA provides 100 mg of natural GABA per chewable tablet. It might help promote a focused state of mind and support emotional health during periods of mental or physical stress.
The makers state that Stress-Relax Pharma GABA could also support alertness, concentration, and sleep quality without causing drowsiness. It is vegan, free of gluten and soy, and non-habit forming.
Integrative Therapeutics GABA could help reduce overstimulation by modulating nerve cell activity in your brain, thereby supporting mood stability and cognitive function. A one-capsule serving of Integrative Therapeutics GABA provides a 750 mg dose of gamma-aminobutyric acid.
Integrative Therapeutics GABA uses plant-derived capsules (hypromellose) and magnesium stearate to ensure suitability for various dietary preferences. It is also free from gluten, corn, soy, dairy, artificial colors, flavors, and wheat.
As per the official website, Integrative Therapeutics GABA undergoes rigorous testing for purity and potency, following the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Vimergy GABA with Magnesium could support mental and physical relaxation with the help of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and magnesium glycinate. It could help calm neural activity and reduce mental overstimulation, which may promote relaxation, enhance focus, and support a balanced stress response.
As per its official website, Vimergy GABA with Magnesium may also help ease the psychological strain while supporting muscular and neurological function. This could help reduce stress-related fatigue, tension, or difficulty unwinding after a long day.
Nutra Harmony GABA L-Theanine could support emotional balance during stressful times. It provides 750 mg of GABA per two capsules, which might help you stay calm. The makers added 150 mg of L-theanine in Nutra Harmony GABA L-Theanine, which may help reduce mental tension and improve focus. The addition of magnesium, along with essential B vitamins (B6 and B12) in the formula, could further support nervous system health and cognitive function, contributing to improved mood.
Quicksilver Scientific's GABA + L-Theanine may help restore GABA balance, supporting a sense of calm, focus, and emotional resilience. It combines GABA, which may help regulate nerve transmission, contributing to a calmer mental state. L-theanine, in this formula, could support a relaxed yet alert state, helping manage daily stress.
According to its official website, Quicksilver Scientific's GABA + L-Theanine utilizes liposomal delivery technology to enhance the absorption of both ingredients. This method improves their transport through the digestive system for faster uptake by encapsulating GABA and L-theanine in tiny lipid-based vesicles.
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) inhibits neural activity, helping to promote relaxation and reduce excitability. This calming effect can sometimes be too strong for some people, especially if you are sensitive to supplements that affect neurotransmission. When GABA levels rise beyond your body's immediate demand, it can overly suppress neural activity, leading to lethargy, reduced alertness, or even excessive sedation during the day. This is particularly problematic if you take GABA in the morning or during work hours.
Some people may experience tingling sensations, especially in the face, neck, or limbs, after taking GABA supplements. This is often described as a pins-and-needles feeling. This effect is believed to result from altered nerve signaling, as GABA interacts with peripheral nerves in addition to central brain receptors. You may also notice abnormal or heightened sensory responses caused due to the excess levels of GABA in your bloodstream.
Though rare, breathing difficulties might occur with high doses of GABA supplements. You could experience shortness of breath, chest tightness, or shallow breathing shortly after supplementation. This side effect may be tied to GABA's calming influence on the central nervous system. Since it helps in regulating muscle tone and respiratory rhythm, excessive GABAergic activity could potentially interfere with the normal pace of involuntary breathing.
When taking GABA supplements, you might experience mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, stomach cramps, gas, or diarrhea. These effects are usually brief and subside as your body adjusts to the supplement. The cause may lie in the capsule formulation or your body's response to an increase in neurotransmitter activity in the gut. Since the human gut has its own enteric nervous system, it communicates via neurotransmitters like GABA. Supplementing with GABA can potentially influence gut motility or the release of digestive enzymes, leading to minor disruptions in digestion.
You may experience mild headaches or dizziness after taking GABA supplements, especially during the initial use or with increased dosage. These effects may occur due to changes in cerebral blood flow or altered neurochemical balance in your brain. Because GABA has a calming effect on the nervous system, an overabundance might reduce brain activity too quickly in some people, causing sensations similar to mild hypotension (low blood pressure) or postural dizziness.
When evaluating the brand reputation of GABA supplement, Solgar, NOW Foods, and Source Naturals stand out as the most reputable. With experience and consistently positive customer feedback, Solgar received a 4.0 Trustpilot rating. NOW Foods is recognized for its transparency and affordability, while Source Naturals, with an A+ BBB rating, highlights its reliability and customer satisfaction.
Brands like Thorne, Double Wood Supplements, and Stress-Relax maintain good reputations, though with some room for improvement. Thorne offers clinically backed products but carries a B rating on BBB, indicating occasional customer issues. Double Wood has a 3.7 Trustpilot rating, reflecting mixed feedback, while Stress-Relax benefits from being part of the trusted Natural Factors family, despite limited online reviews.
Newer or lesser-known brands like Vimergy, Nutra Harmony, and Quicksilver Scientific face greater challenges in establishing trust. Vimergy lacks customer reviews on Trustpilot or BBB, leaving its reputation unclear and making it harder to assess reliability. Nutra Harmony has minimal public information and no reviews on major platforms, which raises concerns about transparency and product quality. Quicksilver, with an F rating on BBB, raises concerns about customer service and brand reliability.
Double Wood Supplements offers the best value at $19.95 for 300 capsules, just $0.07 per capsule. Source Naturals follows at $21.07 for 180 capsules ($0.12 per capsule), while Now GABA delivers strong value at $13.99 for 100 capsules ($0.14 per capsule).
Nutra Harmony's GABA + L-Theanine is priced at $22.89 for 120 capsules ($0.19 per capsule), giving you a solid blend at low cost. Solgar, at $13.69 for 50 capsules ($0.27 per capsule), offers decent quality but a smaller count. Integrative Therapeutics costs $21.25 for 60 capsules ($0.35 per capsule), trading quantity for clinical-grade trust.
Stress-Relax Pharma GABA is $24.74 for 60 chewbles ($0.41 each), which may be convenient but pricier. Thorne PharmaGABA is available for $31.00 for 60 capsules ($0.52 per capsule). Quicksilver's GABA + L-Theanine liquid is $37.00 for 50ml, with fast-absorbing liposomal tech but high cost. Vimergy falls at the bottom in value, costing $39.00 for just 60 capsules ($0.65 per capsule), despite the added magnesium.
When evaluating consumer feedback, we found that Vimergy GABA with Magnesium is praised on Amazon for its potent ingredients and strong sleep-enhancing effects. Many users report better, deeper rest after taking just one or two capsules before bed. Some also experience relief from physical restlessness, like restless legs.
NOW GABA receives favorable reviews from users on Amazon for easing anxiety, lifting mood, and offering fast-acting calm. It's affordable, non-GMO, and often used alongside other natural agents. While many experience immediate emotional balance, a few report fading effects over time or overstimulation, depending on dosage.
Stress-Relax Pharma GABA is similarly well-received for fast-acting calm without grogginess, with people on Amazon mentioning that it helped manage anxiety or PTSD. Users also appreciate the chewable form, though some find the tablets too hard or mildly irritating if overused.
Thorne PharmaGABA-100 offers calmness without drowsiness during the day and improved sleep at night, with a strong brand reputation. Nutra Harmony GABA L-Theanine is widely seen as a helpful sleep and stress aid, though a few report only mild relaxation benefits.
As per the consumer reviews on Amazon, Integrative Therapeutics GABA supports both chronic and occasional stress, though some reviews show that people feel it's too mild for severe anxiety and relatively expensive. Quicksilver Scientific GABA + L-Theanine works fast, and people mention its liquid format and potency on Amazon, but its bitter taste and choline content can disrupt sleep for sensitive users.
Source Naturals Serene Science GABA earns praise for promoting calm and clarity. Double Wood GABA supports better sleep and anxiety reduction, but its side effects and unclear refund policies may deter cautious users. Solgar GABA stands out for its trusted brand quality and reliable results in managing mood, sleep, and anxiety, though not all users feel confident using it daily.
GABA supplements could support relaxation, improve sleep, and manage stress. The 10 GABA supplements discussed above are chosen for their formulations and additional ingredients like L-theanine and magnesium that may provide calmness and support healthy cortisol levels.
While these supplements can be effective, it's important to consider their potential downsides. Research indicates that GABA may not effectively cross the blood-brain barrier, which might impact its effectiveness. Side effects like drowsiness, digestive discomfort, or headaches may also occur, particularly at higher doses.
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