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GABA for ADHD

Katie Stone - Naturopath

Written By:

Katie Stone - Naturopath
Kari Asadorian - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Medical Reviewer:

Kari Asadorian - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Jamie Hope - Founder of Methyl-Life

Edited By:

Jamie Hope - Founder of Methyl-Life

Updated On:

January 26, 2025

Table of Contents

    How does GABA affect ADHD?

    GABA is an inhibitory or ‘calming’ neurotransmitter while glutamate is the excitatory or ‘stimulating’ neurotransmitter. Recent research has revealed that an imbalance of these two neurotransmitters may increase the risk of developing ADHD. GABAergic interneurons, which help regulate brain activity, are now understood to play a part in the underlying causes of ADHD. When these neurons don’t work as they should, the balance between brain stimulation and brain calm is disrupted, potentially leading to symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.


    GABAergic interneurons are special types of brain cells that help control the flow of signals in the brain. They release GABA to help slow brain activity and regulate the firing of other neurons. Think of GABAergic interneurons as traffic controllers for brain signals, helping to keep everything in balance.


    When neurons in the brain become too active, GABAergic interneurons send out GABA to reduce this activity, which keeps excitability under control and prevents overstimulation. This balance is essential for attention, mood, and various cognitive functions. In conditions like ADHD, disruptions in these cells' functioning can lead to difficulties with focus, impulsivity, and other symptoms.


    Neuroimaging studies reveal that basal GABA levels are reduced in specific brain regions of ADHD patients. 2

    Children with ADHD are found to have significantly reduced GABA concentration as well as reduced short intercortical inhibition. Cerebral cortical inhibitory function depends on GABAergic transmission and is vital for filtering sensory information and selecting appropriate behavioral responses. 3


    A 2002 study comparing levels of GABA between people with and without ADHD found that while resting levels are similar, tasks requiring attention control are not. People with ADHD show smaller increases in GABA compared to those without ADHD, as well as poorer task performance. This may indicate that impaired GABAergic responses in key brain areas may contribute to the attention control challenges seen in ADHD. 4

    How much GABA to take for ADHD

    Research into taking GABA for ADHD is currently limited, so there are no specific dosage recommendations about GABA for ADHD.

    However, one study involving the GABAergic drug Gamalate® B6 which contains 75 mg GABA was shown to improve ADHD symptoms in children after 12 weeks of treatment.5

    Some sources have recommended taking between 250mg-400 milligrams three times each day for symptoms of ADHD, or up to 1,200 milligrams in total.

    Remember, it’s best to talk to your healthcare professional about the dosage that is right for you.

    When to take GABA for ADHD

    Some GABA dietary supplements may be taken 1 to 3 times daily, depending on the strength of the dosage. Be sure to read the directions on the packaging and consult your healthcare professional regarding the best dosage for you. 

    When taking GABA for sleep, some people may experience the relaxing effects within an hour after ingestion, so it may be best to take the supplement at night. 

    In most cases, it’s best to start with a low dose to gauge your body’s response, and increase your dosage as needed.

    GABA for ADHD

    Key takeaways

    Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects around 5% of the world’s population.1 The main symptoms of the disorder include impulsivity, hyperactivity, and deficits in attention and cognition, although symptoms can vary between age and gender. 

    While there are many reasons for the recent surge in ADHD diagnoses, some research has indicated that GABA may be a factor. 

    • Icon GABA is a calming neurotransmitter that helps to reduce brain activity
    • Icon People with ADHD are shown to have reduced GABA activity in the brain, which may explain some ADHD symptoms such as inattention. However, more research is pending.
    • Icon GABA supplementation may help to improve focus and relaxation, but there are very few studies regarding GABA’s effect on ADHD.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about GABA for ADHD

    Does GABA help with ADHD?

    There are currently very few studies on using GABA to treat ADHD. However, one small study found that 12 weeks of treatment with a prescription GABA medication improved behavioral and cognitive performance in children with ADHD. 6 Other studies have shown that taking 300mg GABA one hour before sleeping can help people fall asleep faster, suggesting that GABA can help with relaxation and calming the mind. 7 Always consult your health professional before starting GABA supplementation for ADHD.

    Does GABA improve focus?

    While research is currently limited, one study found that 800mg GABA supplementation improved performance in young adults who were given a temporal attention task. Despite some debate over whether GABA supplements actually reach the brain, the findings suggested that GABA may help people focus better.8

    What neurotransmitter helps ADHD?

    Dopamine and norepinephrine are often deficient in ADHD. These neurotransmitters work through various regions in the brain that affect attention, thoughts, emotions, behavior, and actions.9
    The dopaminergic pathway is particularly crucial in the development of ADHD, and can be affected by environmental factors and other pathways, including those involving GABA, glutamate, and serotonin, directly or indirectly.

    Does GABA stop overthinking?

    Some research has shown that increased GABA can help people to suppress unwanted memories even when they were shown a reminder. 10 Reduced GABA activity in the brain can lead to symptoms like intrusive memories and overthinking, seen in disorders like schizophrenia, PTSD, and depression. 11 Studies in animals show that disrupting GABA’s inhibitory effects can lead to excessive brain activity, and may make it more difficult to control intrusive thoughts and emotions effectively. Researchers have suggested that strengthening GABA activity in the hippocampus could help reduce unwanted thoughts and rumination.12

    References

    1. E Mark Mahone, Martha B Denckla; "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Historical Neuropsychological Perspective", Journal Of International Neuropsychological Society; 2017 Dec

      https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5724393

    2. Nicolaas A. Puts, Matthew Ryan, Georg Oeltzschner, Alena Horska, Richard A.E. Edden, E. Mark Mahone; "Reduced striatal GABA in unmedicated children with ADHD at 7T"; Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging Vol. 301; 2020 July

      https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0925492720300548

    3. Richard A E Edden, Deana Crocetti, He Zhu, Donald L Gilbert, Stewart H Mostofsky; "Reduced GABA Concentration in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder"; Archives Of General Psychiatry; 2014 Mar

      https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3970207/

    4. Ping C Mamiya, Todd L Richards, Richard A E Edden, Adrian K C Lee, Mark A Stein, Patricia K Kuhl; "Reduced Glx and GABA Inductions in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex and Caudate Nucleus Are Related to Impaired Control of Attention in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder"; International Journal Of Molecular Sciences; 2022 Apr

      https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9100027/

    5. Ramón Novell, Susanna Esteba-Castillo, Emili Rodriguez; "Efficacy and safety of a GABAergic drug (Gamalate® B6): effects on behavior and cognition in young adults with borderline-to-mild intellectual developmental disabilities and ADHD"; Drugs Context; 2020 Jan

      https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7048157/

    6. Ramón Novell, Susanna Esteba-Castillo, Emili Rodriguez; "Efficacy and safety of a GABAergic drug (Gamalate® B6): effects on behavior and cognition in young adults with borderline-to-mild intellectual developmental disabilities and ADHD"; Drugs Context; 2020 Jan

      https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7048157/

    7. Jung Ick Byun, Yu Yong Shin, Sung Eun Chung, Won Chul Shin; "Safety and Efficacy of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid from Fermented Rice Germ in Patients with Insomnia Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial", Journal Of Clinical Neurology; 2018 Jul

      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29856155/

    8. Anna Leonte, Lorenza S Colzato, Laura Steenbergen, Bernhard Hommel, Elkan G Akyürek; "Supplementation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) affects temporal, but not spatial visual attention"; Brain Cognition; 2018 Feb

      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29222993/

    9. Miriam Kessi, Haolin Duan, Juan Xiong, Baiyu Chen, Fang He, Lifen Yang, Yanli Ma, Olumuyiwa A Bamgbade, Jing Peng, Fei Yin; "Attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder updates"; Frontiers In Molecular Neuroscience; 2022 Sep

      https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9532551/

    10. Taylor W Schmitz, Marta M Correia, Catarina S Ferreira, Andrew P Prescot, Michael C Anderson; "Hippocampal GABA enables inhibitory control over unwanted thoughts", Nature Communications; 2017 Nov

      https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5670182/

    11. Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli, Judith M Ford; "Default mode network activity and connectivity in psychopathology"; Annual Review Of Clinical Psychology; 2012 Jan

      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22224834/

    12. Taylor W Schmitz, Marta M Correia, Catarina S Ferreira, Andrew P Prescot, Michael C Anderson; "Hippocampal GABA enables inhibitory control over unwanted thoughts", Nature Communications; 2017 Nov

      https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5670182/

    Katie Stone - Naturopath

    About the Author

    Katie is a qualified Naturopath (BNatMed) and freelance writer from New Zealand. She specializes in all things health and wellness, particularly dietary supplements and nutrition. Katie is also a dedicated runner and has completed more half-marathons than she can count!

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