GABOB – Fantastic Anti-Aging Benefits
GABOB is probably not something many of us will have heard of. However, just because it’s not that well known, doesn’t mean that it is something that should be dismissed. Apart from being a recognised and approved anti-epileptic drug, GABOB offers a number of significant de-stressing and anti-aging benefits.
So what exactly is GABOB?
It’s full chemical name is gamma-aminohydoxybutyric acid but it is also known as aminohydroxybutyric acid or Buxamin. Although rarely found as a supplement, GABOB occurs naturally in the human body and is a derivative of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Neurotransmitters are special chemicals that are released by brain cells (neurons). Their role is to act like a messenger service in the brain, allowing ‘communication’ via nerve impulses between neurons.
Neurons are connected to each other via synapses. There are two distinct forms of synapse - an electrical one where two neurons actually touch each other or a chemical synapse where a minute space called a synaptic gap exists between the neurons. The vast majority of synapses in the human brain are chemical ones.
To enable a nerve impulse to travel from one neuron to the next across a synaptic gap, particular molecules have to be released. It is these molecules that are known as neurotransmitters and they act to ferry the nerve impulses safely across synaptic gaps.
Nerve impulses always travel in the same direction and once they have crossed the synaptic gap they have to bind with the appropriate receptor sites on the receiving neuron in order to produce an effect on that brain cell.
There are a number of different neurotransmitters. They are classified into two main groups. Those that help receiving neurons to transmit on nerve impulses are known as excitatory neurotransmitters. Those that inhibit receiving neurons from transmitting nerve impulses are known as inhibitory neurotransmitters. By their effects on the receiving neurons, neurotransmitters coordinate our behavior. Apart from being responsible for muscle tone, GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in our central nervous system, playing an important role in regulating the ‘excitability’ of neurons throughout the nervous system.
The use of GABOB as a supplement is primarily indicated for the treatment of epilepsy, although it can in fact be used to treat all types of convulsions. Although it has anti-convulsant properties, GABOB used on its own has fairly low potency levels so it tends to be administered as an adjunct therapy i.e. used alongside other anticonvulsant medications.
Studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in this regard. For example in one study a twice daily 250mg oral dose of GABOB was given as an adjunct therapy to adult patients who were suffering from severe focal epilepsy for a period of 26 weeks. At the end of the study period, researchers noted that those patients receiving the GABOB treatment experienced a 50% reduction in the number of total seizures when compared to the control patients a pretty impressive result by anyone’s standard.
However it has been in Europe that the use of GABOB has been extended well beyond epilepsy treatment. It is has been shown to help improve learning and memory function and also to deal with the scourge of modern life, stress. But perhaps most significantly, especially in terms of anti-aging, GABOB is known to have the capability to increase levels of human growth hormone (HGH).
HGH and Anti-Aging
HGH is used by the body to repair and rejuvenate itself. Unfortunately, HGH levels begin to decline at the rather alarming rate of 14% per decade after the age of 30. This fairly rapid decline in HGH supplies manifests in a number of diverse ways as we grow older:
• We become tired easily and lose the ability to sleep well
• We get heavier with a particular emphasis on abdominal weight gain - we’ve all heard of middle age spread
• Our physical strength goes into decline and we lose muscle mass. This leads to less exercise being undertaken and decreased physical performance
• Our cardiac output declines as does our overall sense of well being.
All of these signs of aging can be attributed to reducing HGH levels. But by supplementing our HGH supplies and returning them to more youthful, healthier levels we can reverse many of these symptoms of old age. Indeed, HGH was the first substance to have been clinically proven to reverse the effects of aging. And not only does HGH supplementation bestow anti-aging benefits, it also leads to improvements in our overall health and fitness including:
• Increasing energy and stamina
• Improving deep, restful sleep
• Building muscle and strength and improving fitness
• Decreasing fat and aiding weight loss
• Sharpening thinking and improving memory
• Improving mood and the sense of well-being
• Decreasing and balancing cholesterol levels
• Strengthening the immune system
• Strengthening the cardiovascular system
• Lowering blood pressure
With all these positive benefits, particularly in terms of anti-aging, you might think that the discovery of GABOB’s ability to raise HGH levels only occurred relatively recently. But you would be wrong. Research going as far back as the late 1970’s and early 1980’s clearly demonstrates the link between GABOB and HGH levels. For example, a study published in 1978 suggested that 100mg of intra-venous GABOB could increase both HGH and prolactin in women1. The results of this study were later confirmed by research published in 1982 that established that if women were infused with 100mg of GABOB over a 20 minute period, their HGH levels rose significantly2.
Another interesting fact about GABOB is the similarity that it bears to GHB. This is due to the fact that GABOB is closely related chemically to GHB. Indeed, GABOB maybe the closest legal alternative for those seeking similar stimulatory effects as GHB. Of course, the issue with GHB was that it could induce a state of unconsciousness if taken orally which, unfortunately, led to it becoming known in some quarters as ‘the date rape drug’, and therefore being banned from sale in a number of countries. One can be assured that GABOB does not induce unconsciousness when administered orally (although this may occur if injected in doses over 150mg).
Given its ability to raise HGH levels and all the benefits that can flow from this, GABOB may just be the anti-aging supplement that so many of us are looking for.
Dosage
Dosage depends upon why you are taking GABOB:
• For anti-anxiety/ stress dosage should be in the region of 250mg once or twice daily
• For epilepsy take 500mg twice daily
• For HGH release dosage should be in the region of 1000mg prior to bedtime
Particular care should be taken if you are elderly, with close monitoring by your doctor who will assess the possibility of a gradually reducing the dosage.
Side effects
It should also be stressed that GABOB is remarkably well tolerated with no reported side effects at normal dosages.
At high dosages some slight drowsiness may occur. Because of this caution is advised - you should ensure that you are in safe environment and you should not drive or operate machinery.
Do not take GABOB if you have a known sensitivity to GABOB or any of the other ingredients in the supplement, otherwise allergic reactions and serious asthmatic attacks may occur. This is particularly relevant for asthmatics.
Warnings and Contraindications
No adverse reactions with other drugs have been reported. However, even though no specific contraindications are noted, concurrent use with other GABA supplements and agonists (e.g. Valium) is not advised and should only be undertaken under guidance from your doctor.
Do not take GABOB if you are pregnant unless absolutely necessary and only under your doctor’s supervision.
References
1. Fioretti P. et al. GABOB stimulates Prolactin and growth hormone release in normal women. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 1978 Dec;47(6):1336-40
2. Melis GB et al: Dose related effects of (GABOB) infusion on growth hormone secretion in normal women: J. Endocrinol. Invest., 1982 Mar-Apr;5(2):101-6