“Can you drink alcohol and take a GABA supplement?”

A lot of common questions about GABA supplementation boil down to a variation of this question. People want to know how GABA supplements and alcohol interact, and whether they can be consumed together.

Understanding Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid and Alcohol

We know GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) acts primarily as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in our brains, helping to reduce neural activity and create a calming effect. According to research from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, GABA plays a central role in mediating alcohol’s effects in the central nervous system by decreasing neuronal excitability when GABA-A receptors are activated.(1)

Alcohol acts as an “indirect GABA agonist,” essentially mimicking and enhancing GABA’s effects in the brain by binding to certain hydrophobic pockets on GABA receptor surface.(2) Ethanol (the active ingredient in alcoholic drinks) induces GABA-A receptor activation, affecting various brain regions and leading to an imbalance in excitation and inhibition. Ethanol acts as a central nervous system depressant by binding to specific proteins related to GABAergic mechanisms, which helps to explain its sedative and neuromodulating properties. This explains why alcohol initially produces relaxation and reduced anxiety.

Effects of Alcohol on GABA

Chronic ethanol consumption can significantly alter the expression and function of GABA receptors in the central nervous system. This alteration is a key factor in the development of alcohol dependence and withdrawal. When alcohol is consumed, it enhances GABAergic transmission by increasing the activity of GABA receptors, particularly in the nucleus accumbens, a brain region crucial for the reward system. This enhancement initially produces the calming and relaxing effects associated with alcohol intake.

However, with chronic alcohol consumption, the GABAergic system undergoes changes that can lead to a decrease in GABAergic function. This reduction contributes to the development of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, characterized by heightened neuronal excitability and anxiety. The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA, plays a crucial role in regulating these effects of alcohol on the brain.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that GABA supplements can help address hangover symptoms like anxiety.

GABA receptors are modulated by various amino acids, including glutamic acid decarboxylase, which is involved in the synthesis of GABA. The effects of alcohol on GABA receptors can vary depending on the receptor subtypes and brain regions involved. For instance, GABA-A receptors are more sensitive to ethanol than GABA-B receptors, and the nucleus accumbens is a key region involved in ethanol dependence. Alcohol cravings and consumption are influenced by the modulation of GABA receptors, particularly in the brain’s reward system. 

Taking GABA Supplements After Alcohol Consumption: The Role of GABA Receptors

When considering taking GABA supplements the same evening after drinking alcohol, caution is warranted. Both substances affect the same neurotransmitter system, potentially leading to enhanced sedative effects. Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to reduced cortical GABA levels, which may exacerbate these effects. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Neurology indicates that this combined effect can significantly alter neuronal excitability,(3) which may increase central nervous system depression. Medical professionals generally advise against combining substances that affect the same neurological pathways.

Changes in blood-brain barrier (BBB) function due to alcohol consumption can contribute to the development of alcohol use disorder. This alteration in BBB permeability can affect the brain's GABA receptors, further complicating the neurological impact of alcohol.

Additionally, ethanol interacts with various neurotransmitter systems, including glycine receptors, which play a role in mediating its effects on behavior and neurological functioning.

The Role of the Blood Brain Barrier in GABA and Alcohol

The blood-brain barrier plays a critical role in regulating the exchange of substances between the bloodstream and the brain. GABA, as a neurotransmitter, is synthesized and released by GABAergic neurons within the brain, and its levels are tightly regulated by the BBB. Alcohol consumption can alter the permeability of the BBB, allowing for increased passage of substances, including ethanol, into the brain. 

The BBB also regulates the entry of GABA into the brain, and alterations in BBB function can affect GABA levels and receptor activity. GABA binds to its receptors on the surface of neurons, and the BBB helps to regulate the concentration of GABA in the synaptic cleft. Nicotinic receptors, which are also involved in ethanol dependence, are located on the surface of neurons and can interact with GABA receptors.

The BBB also plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between GABA and glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter, in the brain.

GABA Supplements the Day After Chronic Alcohol Consumption

Using GABA supplements the day following alcohol consumption presents different considerations. After alcohol consumption, especially heavy or regular drinking, GABA receptor function may be altered. Studies from The Scripps Research Institute show that after one month of abstinence, GABA levels in recovering alcoholics reverted to the same levels as in controls(4), suggesting that receptor changes may be reversible over time, at least in certain circumstances. Additionally, reduced cortical GABA levels have been observed in young adult binge drinkers, highlighting the neurobiological impacts of binge drinking behavior.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that GABA supplements can help address hangover symptoms like anxiety. Increased anxiety is one of the most common hangover symptoms, possibly due to the reduction of GABA, which is normally stimulated by alcohol. Changes in GABA receptor subunits can also affect the recovery process, as these subunits play a crucial role in GABAergic transmission and neuroadaptive changes following chronic ethanol consumption.(5) While anecdotal evidence indicates GABA can ease some hangover symptoms, it's important to note that the subject hasn't been studied extensively, so clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of GABA supplements for hangover relief remains limited. 

Alternative Approaches

Of course, GABA supplements are not the only way to support GABA function after alcohol consumption. Research from Food for the Brain suggests that exercise, particularly yoga, may increase GABA levels in the brain.(6) Their studies showed MRI evidence of increased GABA in the thalamus of yoga practitioners compared to walking control groups. If you have ever done a yoga class that ended with a few minutes of deep relaxation, you have probably experienced this firsthand. 

Additionally, nutrients like magnesium and vitamin B6 support healthy GABA production. Magnesium helps facilitate GABA neurotransmission by acting on GABA receptors,(7) while B6 serves as a cofactor for enzymes involved in GABA production. These nutrients play a significant role in the recovery process by nurturing the brain's signaling system to regain balance after the disturbances caused by alcohol.

So, can you drink alcohol and take GABA supplements?

GABA supplementation might help your hangover, but don’t take it while drinking. Anecdotal evidence suggests GABA supplements can help address some post-alcohol symptoms by supporting the brain’s inhibitory mechanisms, but there has not been extensive clinical research conducted on this specific subject. The safest approach is to consult with healthcare providers before using GABA supplements, especially in relation to alcohol consumption. Other viable options include exercise and yoga in particular. 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new healthcare regimen.

Sources:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC165791/

2. https://www.scripps.edu/newsandviews/e_20020225/koob2.html

3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC165791/

4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2577853/

5. https://foodforthebrain.org/the-link-between-alcohol-dependency-and-gaba-deficiency/

6. https://foodforthebrain.org/the-link-between-alcohol-dependency-and-gaba-deficiency/

7. https://foodforthebrain.org/the-link-between-alcohol-dependency-and-gaba-deficiency/