To improve memory and spatial cognition, a regular dose of GABA supplements could be the ticket, suggests two new studies out of Japan. GABA is a neurotransmitter that the brain naturally produces but that may decline with age.
Higher GABA (gamma- Aminobutyric acid) levels in the brain are linked to better sleep and relaxation, less depression and anxiety, improved muscle building and recovery, and—as the Japanese research indicates—sharper thinking skills. In the double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, healthy adults ages 40-plus who took either 100 mg or 200 mg of GABA for 12 weeks improved their results on cognitive tests, with even better results for the 200 mg group.
TIP: Before you buy a GABA supplement, do your research to make sure it’s a high-quality product that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier.