Whats better overall to help sleep, Melatonin or GABA?!
Question: considering ANY side effects too, short-term or long-term side effects,
or any reactions with any Rx like blood-pressure or thinness Rx's ?
(GABA is Gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Anyone here have any knowledge or experience about either or both these supplements ?
(substances which are also naturally produced by the brain, more-so in younger people than older people)
Answers: considering ANY side effects too, short-term or long-term side effects,
or any reactions with any Rx like blood-pressure or thinness Rx's ?
(GABA is Gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Anyone here have any knowledge or experience about either or both these supplements ?
(substances which are also naturally produced by the brain, more-so in younger people than older people)
I am not personally familiar with GABA but have been taking Melatonin 3 mg nightly for about 6-7 yrs. No side effects except a nice solid night's sleep! No apparent reaction with my B/P med but do not know about coumadin or Plavix. Melatonin does cause vivid dreams! But not what I would call nightmares at all.
I use melatonin nightly. never heard of the other thing. no side effects for me except sometimes if I don't take it, I"m up half the night. but sometimes it seems like it's built up in my system and I sleep without it. try not to take it on the weekends. Although I built up a little tolerance for it. I need 2 pills a night instead of 1. now I guess that does sound like a mild addiction, lol.
Personally I would not mess with GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) or Melatonin, due to the fact that they are an amino acid which acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter (GABA) and a hormone that is secreted by the pineal gland in the brain in response to darkness (Melatonin) and taking more than what your body needs could irreparably alter your brain/body chemistry and cause dependence on the chemical or irregular chemical production in the body/brain. I would ask a doctor before starting either one due to the problems that could plague you later. Other than that I really don't know what to tell you. Best wishes with your sleep problems.
Likewise , I'm not familiar with GABA, but I have used melatonin without a problem.
I used to work in construction from project to project, so my schedule was always changing from day shift to swing shift to graveyard. Melatonin, at 3 capsules, 3mg each helped me when I needed to adjust to a new sleep schedule, because it made me sleepy. I read that it's a chemical the brain produces naturally, and it's secreted when it's time to sleep.
Since that was always changing for me , it helped as a prompter so I didn't lay awake all night.
I also read that dreams do become more vivid. Occasionally that was true, but I tend to enjoy being able to remember a dream. It's a very personal judgement call you'll have to decide for yourself.