Vitamin B8 (Inositol)- found in brown rice, organ meats, citrus, nuts, and leafy greens. Inositol (B8) is key in excess glutamate break down… “As a nootropic, Vitamin B8 (Inositol) can be used to treat panic attacks and anxiety, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), bulimia, depression in bipolar disorder and mood swings.” https://nootropicsexpert.com/vitamin-b8-inositol/
Vitamin B12- found in beef, liver, chicken, clams, and tuna. “Protective effects of methylcobalamin, a vitamin B12 analog, against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in retinal cell culture. Chronic administration of methylcobalamin protects cultured retinal neurons against N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor-mediated glutamate neurotoxicity, probably by altering the membrane properties through SAM-mediated methylation.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9112980 “Vitamin B12 enhances GABA content but reduces glutamate content in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9249572
Vitamin C- Vitamin C is intertwined with glutamate signaling and glutamate release. It has the ability to neutralize free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, improve mitochondrial function, and offer protection during glutamate release. The use of whole food sources such as rose hips, Camu Camu, guava, kiwi, strawberry, cherry, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, beet, carrot, spinach, broccoli, kale, cabbage, parsley, brussel sprouts, ginger, cauliflower, cranberries, asparagus, etc. are much preferred over supplementation in my opinion (glutamate risk and may contribute to oxalate issues). “Vitamin C also has antioxidant properties that may prove to be helpful in treating HD. [...]
Zinc- It is important to note that zinc and copper need to be in balance and supplementing with one can disrupt this balance. New study presents a working model that could point to a better understanding of autism’s underpinnings. “The new study, led by Stanford neuroscientists John Huguenard, PhD, and Sally Kim, PhD, and then-graduate student Huong Ha, PhD, showed that zinc is required for the proper behavior of two related proteins, Shank 2 and Shank 3, that hang out at most synapses in the brain. Among their duties, Shank 2 and Shank 3 can reshuffle [...]
Pharmaceutical & Drug Options ****I WOULD NOT ENCOURAGE THE USE OF MOST OF THESE DRUGS**** “There are many drugs that target your GABA receptors like Ativan, Xanax, Klonipin, Valium, and Neurontin (Gabapentin) and others. These drugs look similar in chemical structure as gamma-aminobutyric acid so they can fit in your GABA receptors, which artificially stimulates them, but they do not actually increase production. Therefore they do not address the underlying problem of not producing enough, because there must be some level of GABA present in order for these drugs to have an effect. Furthermore, anytime a substance [...]
Vitamin B6, aka Pyridoxine Vitamin B6 is mainly provided by diet and bacterial synthesis in the gut. All B-Vitamins help to convert food into fuel and are important in energy production. B6 is essential for normal brain development, nervous system regulation, amino acid metabolism, and keeping our immune system functioning well. Vitamin B6 is essential in converting excitatory glutamate into calming GABA. Deficiencies in Vitamin B6 alone can contribute to a build-up of excess glutamate, resulting in symptoms. In a recent study, it has been proposed that Vitamin B6 can help repair the GABA system. Therefore, [...]
Vitamin B3 (Niacin, Nicotinic Acid)- Found high in liver, anchovies, tuna, chicken breast I would not encourage the use of this supplement unless you are well aware of your methylation status. “Nicotinic acid requires SAMe to be metabolized. SAMe is a major methyl donor. Thus, when one consumes niacin, SAMe gets used up and methyl donors drop. Thereby excessive methylation goes away. Nicotinic acid also supports the elimination of glutamate. Many with elevated levels of glutamate do not do well with methylfolate or any type of folate until the levels of glutamate are balanced.” [...]
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)- found in sunflower seeds, macadamia nuts, beans & lentils helps to convert glutamine to GABA “Extracellular glutamate is increased in thalamus during thiamine deficiency-induced lesions and is blocked by MK-801.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8245970 The following is information from a paper written by the INCREDIBLE Dr. Russell Blaylock on the role of Thiamine, Neurodegenerative Diseases, and Excitotoxicity. Blaylock RL. The biochemical basis of neurodegenerative disease: The role of immunoexcitoxicity and ways to possibly attenuate it. Surg Neurol Int. 2023 Apr 21;14:141. doi: 10.25259/SNI_250_2023. PMID: 37151454; PMCID: PMC10159298. "There is growing scientific and clinical evidence that that [...]
Valerian Root – Increases GABA. “ In addition, pretreatment with valerian extract or valerenic acid decreased the brainstem inhibitory effects produced by muscimol (both P < 0.05), suggesting that these compounds play an important role in the regulation of GABAergic activity. Data from this study suggest that the pharmacological effects of valerian extract and valerenic acid are mediated through modulation of GABA(A) receptor function” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14742369
Theanine, L-Theanine L-Theanine use has been growing as it is more commonly used to help balance glutamate and GABA, by increasing GABA and blocking glutamate receptors. However L-theanine is also a glutamate analog, and what may work for some, may not work for all. If you have trouble converting glutamate to GABA, this may actually contribute to the imbalance between these two neurotransmitters, by increasing glutamate. If you are unaware of how well you're able to convert glutamate to GABA or have a sensitivity to caffeine or mushrooms (what the supplement is typically derived from) you [...]
