GABA Tea and Alcohol

GABA for alcohol withdrawal is highly effective. GABA tea is a natural GABA source and can be used to prevent and treat hangovers. 

Alcohol is an addictive substance, and alcoholics will suffer withdrawal symptoms when they quit. GABA can alleviate these symptoms, and the use of GABA tea can also prevent and cure hangovers.

Alcohol withdrawal causes calcium to flood the brain cells, a phenomenon associated with cell death. This process worsens with each successive withdrawal, so that withdrawal symptoms become more severe - to the point where seizures can occur.

All alcohol withdrawal, mild or severe, can cause neuronal damage. Increased levels of oxidative radicals and glutamate metabolites damage calcium influx into cells, and the greater the alcohol dependency the more damage will occur.

GABA-a receptors are responsible for the intoxicating effects of alcohol and other sedative hypnotics. Chronic alcohol use modifies the GABA-a receptors so that they are unable to function properly without exposure to alcohol.

When alcohol is withdrawn, GABA by itself cannot perform its necessary inhibitory functions. Cells become hyper-sensitive and easily stimulated which can cause irritability, insomnia, hallucinations, tachycardia, hypertension and even seizures.

Controlling Withdrawal Symptoms

There are many approaches to treating alcohol addiction including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational therapies, or 12-step programs.

One of the newest methods is to use drugs which stimulate GABA activity. Drugs such as gabapentin, vigabatrin, tiagabine, lamotrigine, pregabalin were originally developed to treat epileptic seizures, but they have been found to have a wide variety of uses including treating affective disorders such as bipolar depression, anxiety disorders and pain conditions.

For the casual drinker, GABA tea is useful for reducing alcohol intoxication. Drinkers find they can consume more alchohol with less effect if they drink a cup or two of GABA tea beforehand. Consuming GABA tea before drinking alcohol also prevents or reduces hangovers, and GABA tea is also a good remedy for hangovers.

In addition, the regular consumption of GABA tea decreases stress and anxiety which in turn may lead to a decreased desire to drink alcohol. Other health benefits include reduced blood pressure, weight loss, mental alertness, and regular sleep patterns.