GABA vs Ashwagandha for Stress
We see GABA vs ashwagandha for stress compared all the time. But this is a little convoluted, because this comparison isn’t exactly apples-to-apples.
You can take an ashwagandha supplement to support stress resiliency. This adaptogenic herb lowers cortisol through one pathway and activates GABA receptors through another.1,2
On the other hand, GABA is the neurotransmitter itself. You can find GABA supplements out there, but the working theory is they don’t actually do anything. You’re better off taking supplements that have evidence showing they can increase GABA activity.
Keep reading to learn more about ashwagandha vs GABA for stress. Or, simply treat yourself to Snoozy’s stress gummies that help you stay balanced through a blend of ashwagandha, cordyceps, L-theanine, magnesium citrate, and lemon balm!
Fast Facts on Ashwagandha vs GABA for Stress
- Ashwagandha has way stronger clinical evidence for easing stress than oral GABA.
- GABA supplements may not cross the blood-brain barrier, so some experts say they do nothing.
- Ashwagandha already activates GABA receptors on its own, so it covers both pathways - you don’t need a separate GABA supplement.
- Snoozy’s Mellow Mind combines ashwagandha, L-theanine, lemon balm, cordyceps, and magnesium citrate.
What is GABA?
Short for gamma-aminobutyric acid, GABA is the brain’s main inhibitory neurotransmitter. It locks onto neuron receptors to slow them down. In other words, increased GABA activity = a calming effect.
That’s why GABA is so relevant in the context of sleep and stress. Low GABA has been linked to both anxiety and insomnia.3 It’s why so many prescription anti-anxiety drugs (such as Xanax) support GABA’s capabilities at those receptors.
Now, there are “GABA supplements.” But they have a pretty well-documented problem. The molecule itself is fairly big, so it can’t cross the blood-brain barrier very easily. In other words, it can’t really do much.
There was a 2020 systematic review of oral GABA supplements that’s relevant here. It found “mixed” results. Some studies did find that oral GABA could reduce the effects of stress. Most found nothing.4
We’re not saying there is zero reason to try GABA supplements. Just that you should take any sort of claims from a brand selling them with a grain of salt. And for what it’s worth, there is legit evidence showing that other types of supplements CAN increase GABA activity. Speaking of which, let’s introduce the other half of our conversation on GABA vs ashwagandha for stress.
How Ashwagandha Eases Stress
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen - which means it literally helps your body adapt to stress. Because let’s face it. Stress isn’t going anywhere. From work to relationships, it’s all around you. The best approach isn’t merely to avoid it, but to beef up your resiliency to it.
There are quite a few studies that show how powerful ashwagandha can be for stress. We handpicked a few of our favorites to share with you, including the landmark trial it all started with.
After 60 days of ashwagandha supplementation, there was a nearly 28% drop in serum cortisol (compared to just shy of 8% for the control group).1 A second trial was then done at a lower dose to see if the effects still held - and they did.5
A third study compared two different doses (600mg vs 250mg) and found both to be effective, but the higher dose to be even stronger. Then there’s the recent meta-analysis from back in 2024, which confirmed ashwagandha could significantly reduce perceived stress and cortisol levels across the board.6
Across all the different research, the consensus was the same - ashwagandha lowered cortisol and brought stress scores to a more favorable range, without any side effects. That tells you just about everything you need to know about ashwagandha vs GABA.
What’s the Connection Between GABA and Ashwagandha For Stress?
Interestingly enough, GABA and ashwagandha are connected. A 2015 study found that the adaptogenic herb actually activated GABA-A receptors.2 GABA-rho receptors were 27% more sensitive to ashwagandha than GABA-A receptors.
This is to say that ashwagandha supports a better stress response not just by lowering cortisol, but by bringing GABAergic properties to your self-care routine at the same time!
We don’t want to make any crazy claims here, but there’s reason to believe that supplementing with ashwagandha could have more powerful effects on GABA than supplementing with oral GABA itself.
Nevertheless, people want to know - can you take GABA and ashwagandha together?
Can You Take GABA and Ashwagandha Together For the Best of Both Worlds?
The short answer is you technically could supplement with oral GABA and ashwagandha at the same time - but you should do so with extreme caution. There aren’t any clinical trials looking at the two used in tandem. We think that this pairing could actually have a sedative-like effect since both increase GABAergic activity.
Our advice would be to start with ashwagandha since there’s so much more evidence on its stress-relieving effects than oral GABA supplements. Give it at least 4 weeks. THEN decide if you need more support or not.
Or, better yet, start with Snoozy’s Mellow Mind stress gummies. They combine ashwagandha, L-theanine, lemon balm, cordyceps, and magnesium citrate to melt stress away and help you stay cool, calm, and collected no matter what life throws at you.
The gummies are made right here in the USA. They’re vegan, gluten-free, and don’t have any artificial junk in them. Plus, your order is backed by our 30-day money-back guarantee so you’ve got nothing to lose! Put stress on notice today.
Wrapping Up Our Comparison of GABA vs Ashwagandha for Stress
We hope this comparison of GABA vs ashwagandha for stress has answered all the questions you had about these two supplements. As we bring it all together, GABA is the neurotransmitter. Ashwagandha is the adaptogenic herb that not only influences GABA activity but also cortisol.
Although there are GABA supplements on the market, there’s more evidence showing they don’t work than studies showing they’re worth it. On the flip side, ashwagandha is clinically proven to support a healthier stress response.
So, why roll the dice with anything unproven? Get the support you need at Snoozy.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take GABA as a supplement?
Yes, but whether or not you should is another question. These supplements may not be able to actually cross the blood-brain barrier and stimulate an effect. You might want to consider taking a supplement like ashwagandha that can increase GABA activity itself.
Does ashwagandha increase GABA?
Ashwagandha activates GABA receptors rather than increasing the volume of the neurotransmitter, which is an important distinction.
What are some other ways to increase GABA?
There are tons of things you could do to raise GABA activity in the body. A single yoga session increased brain GABA levels by 27%.7 Regular exercise in general is a good starting point. You could also eat fermented foods like kimchi and yogurt which contain natural GABA. Magnesium also supports GABA receptor function.
What else should you combine with ashwagandha for stress relief?
L-theanine, magnesium, lemon balm, and other botanical ingredients are not only safe for pairing with ashwagandha but bring their own stress-fighting properties to your self-care routine.
How do L-theanine and ashwagandha compare?
L-theanine can be useful if you find that stress pops up out of nowhere because it can kick in faster (3-60 minutes) whereas ashwagandha needs at least a few weeks of regular supplementation before it does anything.
Is there anything better than ashwagandha for stress?
It’s honestly one of the best natural, over-the-counter solutions for stress. But the one thing better than ashwagandha for stress is a supplement that combines it with other proven remedies, like our Mellow Mind gummies at Snoozy!
What is the best supplement for stress and anxiety?
Mellow Mind combines ashwagandha, L-theanine, cordyceps, lemon balm, and magnesium citrate to fight stress and its harmful effects from every possible angle.
References
- Chandrasekhar K, et al. "A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults." Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine. 2012;34(3):255-262.
- Candelario M, et al. "Direct evidence for GABAergic activity of Withania somnifera on mammalian ionotropic GABAA and GABA-rho receptors." Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2015;171:264-272.
- Boonstra E, et al. "Neurotransmitters as food supplements: the effects of GABA on brain and behavior." Frontiers in Psychology. 2015;6:1520.
- Hepsomali P, et al. "Effects of Oral Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Administration on Stress and Sleep in Humans: A Systematic Review." Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2020;14:923.
- Lopresti AL, et al. "An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract." Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(37):e17186.
- Arumugam V, et al. "Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) on stress and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis." Explore (NY). 2024;20(6):103062.
- Streeter CC, et al. "Yoga Asana sessions increase brain GABA levels: a pilot study." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2007;13(4):419-426.
