Does GABA Help With Strokes?

Does GABA Help With Strokes? Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter in the human brain responsible for inhibiting excessive excitatory nerve impulses. Researchers are currently studying GABA, particularly concerning assisting individuals in regaining their mobility after a stroke.

This article explains the meaning and scope of GABA and its significance in stroke recovery and how it could help, within the context of other recovery strategies.

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs as a result of any interruption of blood supply to the brain. In the absence of sufficient oxygen and nutrients, brain cells begin to die. The effects of a stroke can range from mild to severe. This largely depends on how extensive the damage done is and, more importantly, where in the brain the damage is sustained.

Types of Strokes

Ischemic Stroke: The most common type, arising from blood clots or occlusion of a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain.

• Hemorrhagic Stroke: This occurs when an artery in the brain ruptures and bleeding occurs.
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Commonly referred to as a mini-stroke’, this is a temporary vessel occlusion that does not result in permanent damage.

Common Causes

• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Atrial fibrillation

How Strokes Affect the Brain

Immediate Impact: Death of affected brain cells occurs rapidly.

Broader Consequences: There may also be excessive and intense peripheral cellular activity, resulting in exacerbation of damage.

Chronic Complications: Stroke can lead to difficulties in speaking, impaired cognitive function, and problems with movement.

What is  GABA?

GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a type of neurotransmitter that enables the communication of different brain cells. GABA is, however, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. It is responsible for offsetting or inhibiting some nerve signals; this aids in maintaining equilibrium in the brain.

How GABA works

If the individual’s brain is functioning, active GABA is like a brake and causes a decrease in the nerve signal overload.

Also, it assists in controlling emotions, anxiety, sleep, and muscle tone.

Where is the origin of GABA?

GABA is produced in our body. Dietary sources of GABA include fermented food and beverage products, whole grain cereals, tea, etc. There are also other forms, particularly pills, though effectiveness is not guaranteed.

Benefits of GABA

GABA has some more positive impacts on brain health, with an emphasis on helping with overactivity. Here is how it is good for your brain!

Alleviates nerve overload

GABA is known to suppress brain activity by inhibiting the excessive activities of the nerves, i.e., the nerve signal system. This is potentially helpful to alleviate the stress and anxiety that could interfere with the rehabilitation of an individual after a stroke attack.

Contributes to Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity is the capacity of the brain to change and accommodate. This is where GABA comes in handy, which is crucial in the rehabilitation of people who have suffered brain strokes.

Enhances sleep and allows relaxation

Sleep is very imperative when it comes to recuperation of the brain. GABA helps induce sleep by helping to calm an active brain from excessive worrying.

Aids in Damage Control

Stroke patients and others suffering from neural overactivity may also derive benefit from GABA inhibition of nerve cell damage.

Does GABA Help With Strokes?

The brain’s affected region after stroke often becomes overactive. This can lead to secondary effects and hinder recovery. GABA is thought to be helpful in the following ways:

Lessening excessive brain function

Such excitement in the brain has a potentially dangerous chain of events—excessive brain activity following a stroke. GABA slows this down, thereby preventing further injury to the nerve cells.

Encouraging the brain’s healing processes

CBT assists the brain in recovery by encouraging neuroplasticity. This is the ability to form and reform connections in the brain. This plasticity can facilitate the recovery of fine movement, language, and even memory in some patients.

Control of muscle tone and spasticity

Muscle spasms or rigidity may occur in some individuals who have had a stroke. The soothing nature of GABA on the nervous system may in part alleviate such conditions.

What the Science Says Underneath

• Animal Studies: Animal studies performed on rats have shown that augmenting GABA poststroke leads to less brain damage and better outcomes.
• Clinical Studies: Preliminary clinical trials indicate that GABA has the potential use in enhance motor rehabilitation and decrease the depressive symptoms exhibited by the patients after stroke. However, these results warrant additional studies.

GABA Supplements for Stroke?

GABA products come in different forms, including tablets, powders, and even drinks. These are often safe for most people, but there isn’t enough evidence to show that they help in rehabilitating a stroke patient.

Potential Benefits of GABA Supplements

• Ability to relax and control stress better
• Enhanced quality of sleep
• Fewer muscle spasms or muscular tension.

Risks and considerations

The efficiency of elevating the GABA levels may be limited since GABA supplements may not cross the blood-brain barrier properly. Possible side effects GABA supplementation may cause include drowsiness, headaches, and nausea. Always tell your physician before taking any supplements, particularly after suffering a stroke.

Natural ways to increase GABA

If you want to take a more holistic approach, there are several ways to enhance GABA levels in the body:

1. Nutrition Therapy

Nutrition may also help in GABA enhancement in the brain through certain foods, such as:

Foods that undergo fermentation, such as kimchi, miso, and yogurt

Beverages such as green tea and oolong tea

Brown rice and other similar non-white grains

2. Stress Management

Chronic stress induces lower levels of GABA. Here are some of those:

• Mediation
• Controlled breathes
• Mild aerobics

3. Regular Exercise

Physical activity can in turn lead to higher GABA levels in the brain. Simple activities such as walking and swimming, as well as Tai Chi classes, are helpful for survivors of stroke.

4. Enhanced sleep quality

Hyposomnia affects the GABA activity. Sleeping habits should be observed, and rest should be taken in the evening without caffeine and screen interactions.

The Downside of GABA in Rehabilitation after Stroke

We can foresee great potential in using GABA, but it would not be an exaggeration to say that it is not a panacea. There are many stages in which the most appropriate therapy associated with numerous therapies is carried out.

For instance, there is physical therapy to improve the patient’s strength and mobility; speech therapy to address the language and communication problems; and occupational therapy to relearn how to do their daily activities. GABA cannot be regarded as a replacement treatment for these healing methods.

Expert Opinions on GABA and Strokes

There is consensus among medical professionals and scientific communities that additional research is needed to comprehend the role of GABA in the recovery process after a stroke. GABA supplements are not standard practice in stroke treatment yet, as encouraging as the initial findings are.

Most importantly, consult your care provider before attempting to derive benefits from GABA during your rehabilitation course.

Read also: What Is The Difference Between Angina, Heart Attack, And Stroke?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can GABA stop strokes from occurring?

Not at all! GABA cannot thwart off strokes. It may assist in recovery, but it does not take care of what causes strokes, which are high blood pressure and registering visible blood clots in arteries.

Is it safe for stroke survivors to take GABA?

Before taking GABA, stroke survivors should consult their doctor. It is generally safe. There are some medications or diseases that may prevent the effective use of GABA supplements.

How much time does GABA take to show results?

In case GABA supplementation is effective, you may experience some improvements, such as an improved sleeping pattern or less anxiety, in a couple of weeks. These recovery benefits may, however, take longer.

Are GABA supplements the only option available?

No. There are other ways to increase GABA levels naturally using proper nutrition, regular exercise, and stress management methods.

Is GABA suitable for young children or elderly people?

Only with a physician’s guidance. Their requirements and risk factors are different from those of healthy younger adults.

What are the side effects of GABA?

Drowsiness, headache, or mild nausea may occur. If such side effects continue, consult your doctor but discontinue the use of the supplement.

Conclusion

There is ongoing research into GABA. And why it is useful for the rehabilitation of patients who have suffered a stroke. It is believed that overactive nerve signals can be calmed down, thus allowing for brain repair and alleviation of conditions such as muscle spasticity.

But this is not the only treatment. Recovery takes a combination of therapies and healthy practices along with medical support.

Whoever wishes to take GABA supplements should first discuss such matters with their healthcare professional. Instead, look for ways to enhance GABA production naturally, such as by eating foods that have been fermented.