The main regulator of our entire body is the brain. Thanks to him, the actions of all systems are coordinated. With the help of the brain and spinal cord, we can move, see, hear, speak, feel and understand. Naturally, the central and peripheral nervous systems carry out their action through special structures - neurotransmitters. These include a number of substances that help the brain transmit signals.
The action of neurotransmitters in the body
In order to carry out transmission between nerve fibers, as well as to muscle tissues, assistants are needed. They are intermediaries that conduct an electrical impulse through the synaptic spaces. The impulses go along the nerve ending and, reaching the end, cause the release of the neurotransmitter. "Helpers" fall into the gap and affect the neighboring neuron, which becomes permeable to the signal. Thus, the transmission of all electrical impulses in the body is carried out. Neurotransmitters are substances of chemical origin that can cause bothexcitation and inhibition in the CNS. They are divided into 3 groups: amino acids, catecholamines and peptides. The most common representatives are epinephrine and norepinephrine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, glycine, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, acetylcholine.
GABA functions in the body
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (from English GABA) refers to mediators that inhibit the nervous system. It is a chemical substance present in the body of humans and animals. GABA is one of the non-essential amino acids that are not capable of synthesizing protein molecules. Despite this, its importance in the body is very high. Gamma-aminobutyric acid performs 2 essential functions:
- Mediator action. Due to its inhibitory effect, GABA has hypotensive, sedative, anticonvulsant effects. In addition, it promotes sleep stimulation, regulates motor activity, improves memory and thinking processes.
- Metabolic function. GABA improves metabolic processes in the brain and its blood circulation, provides nerve cells with energy. Thanks to this substance, one of the most important effects is carried out - antihypoxic, that is, preventing oxygen starvation. The next action of GABA is the removal of metabolic products from the body and the effect on the stimulation of the production of growth hormone by the anterior pituitary gland.
Sources of GABA
GABA is one of the components of blood and brain tissue. With a lack of natural reserves, it is necessary to obtain it from other sources. Gamma-aminobutyric acid is present in some plant foods. These include tea and coffee leaves, filamentous mushrooms, and the juice of cruciferous plants. In addition, GABA is obtained chemically using microbiological methods. For its development, human bacteria, such as E. coli, are used. Some drugs contain the main substance - nicotinoyl gamma-aminobutyric acid. It refers to analogues obtained in the laboratory.
Signs of GABA deficiency in the body
With a lack of gamma-aminobutyric acid, a number of pathological processes occur. The main ones are depression, anxiety and muscle cramps. This is due to a decrease in the functions that gamma-aminobutyric acid performs in the body. GABA is needed to provide the brain with energy, control the processes occurring in it. Therefore, with its deficiency, many disorders of the central nervous system develop. These include:
- Vascular pathologies of the brain - hypertension, atherosclerosis, the development of strokes and heart attacks.
- Headaches, weakness, dizziness, sleep disturbance, memory, attention.
- Epilepsy.
- Alzheimer's disease.
- Cerebral palsy.
- Encephalopathies.
- Increased growth hormone levels.
- Dementia after brain injury.
- DiseaseParkinson's.
- Depressive states.
- Underdevelopment of mental processes in children.
- Unstable mental status.
- Sea and air sickness.
All of these conditions require drug replacement of gamma-aminobutyric acid, as well as increased consumption of products that contain it.
Medications containing GABA
In order to make up for the lack of gamma-aminobutyric acid, you need to see a doctor. He will prescribe adequate replacement therapy. The main substance of all drugs is gamma-aminobutyric acid. Its analogues contain additives in the form of calcium, nicotinoyl, and are also derivatives of GABA. The main medicines include medicines "Aminalon", "Pikamilon", "Fenibut", "Neurobutal", "GABA". Indications for the use of all these drugs are disorders caused by a lack of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the body. Medicines containing GABA are contraindicated in children under 1 year old, pregnant women (in the first trimester), with hypersensitivity to the main or excipients and in acute renal failure.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid: patient reviews
When prescribing GABA or its analogues, patients significantly increase their working capacity, regulate sleep and wakefulness, improve memory and reduce depression, stop convulsive syndrome. Among the side effects, some patients note dyspepticdisorders, increased libido, drowsiness.
