Can GABA Supplements Be Used for Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?

Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA supplements, can be purchased without a prescription and can be used to treat benzodiazepine withdrawal.

Benzodiazepines are generally defined as prescription drugs used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses.

Valium, Paxil, and Xanax are benzodiazepines that are regularly used in Western medicine; however, the withdrawal symptoms can be quite severe.

Not only can physical symptoms such as uncontrollable muscle spasms occur, but patients have also reported having hallucinations.

However, there are also other uses for GABA supplements.

Bodybuilders, patients suffering from mental diseases, and athletes who want to restore balance and reduce stress in their lives can also use GABA supplements.

For a basic rundown on the ways GABA supplements can be beneficial, please watch the video below!

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How Long Do Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms Last?

Benzodiazepine users can experience withdrawal symptoms that last anywhere from a few days to several months.

If you have been prescribed a benzodiazepine and taken it consistently for a few years, it is best to anticipate a longer withdrawal time period.

Taking GABA supplements can help, but you might also want to consult with a drug recovery specialist if your condition does not improve.

Although benzodiazepines are regularly prescribed for a number of medical conditions, some users get their drugs illegally. Because illegal drug users are far more likely to abuse and overdose on benzodiazepines, the recovery process will be much more difficult.

Can GABA Supplements Be Used to Replace Benzodiazepines?

Because GABA supplements produce similar effects, some health care providers believe they can be safely used in place of benzodiazepines. Individual experiences will vary, however.

GABA supplements cause the neurons in your brain to react. After taking prescription benzodiazepines for a long time, your body will fail to produce the receptors that are needed to stimulate your brain.

GABA supplements are often taken when prescription benzodiazepines no longer work by themselves. The human body can become immune to benzodiazepines if users periodically stop taking the drug.

Essentially GABA supplements are a less potent version of benzodiazepines that do not cause side effects.

When Is It Appropriate to Take GABA Supplements?

While just about anyone can take GABA supplements, there should be a valid reason to add them to your list of daily supplements.

People with severe social anxiety and high-stress jobs usually take GABA supplements in order to avoid using prescription benzodiazepines. If you stay within the recommended dosage and read the instructions, you should not experience any serious issues.

GABA supplements are also favored by professional athletes because they can aid in building healthy muscle mass.

Because GABA supplements cause reactions in the brain, they can also stimulate the production of hormones. Since hormones are needed to grow lean muscle tissues, GABA supplements have been shown to increase muscle mass in many users.

Although GABA supplements are fairly safe, there are some notable side effects. GABA supplements can cause drowsiness, so you will not be able to take them at the beginning of the day. It is recommended that you take GABA supplements right before you go to bed for the first few weeks.

Some GABA supplement manufacturers have combined vitamin B6 with the supplement in order to counteract the side effects.

How Long Should GABA Supplements Be Taken?

Like most other supplements, GABA should be taken for as long as you want to experience the desired results. If you are taking GABA supplements so that you can bulk up, you can safely stop after you get to your ideal body weight.

For people who use GABA supplements to treat anxiety, it is recommended that you find a substitute supplement before you stop ingesting GABA supplements.

Although there are no withdrawal symptoms associated with GABA supplements, you may experience pronounced and overwhelming feelings of anxiety almost instantaneously.

Unlike benzodiazepines, GABA supplements will keep working in the human body for as long as they are taken. As such, you can use GABA supplements for as long as you like.

When Is It Safe to Replace Benzodiazepines With GABA Supplements?

If you have been prescribed benzodiazepines, you cannot take GABA supplements in place of them unless you have been advised by your doctor.

Attempting to diagnose yourself and take important health matters into your own hands can lead to dangerous results.

If the continued use of benzodiazepines has led to physical side effects or if you do not believe your condition has gotten any better, you should bring up the subject of GABA supplements at your next doctor’s appointment.

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