Ok, friends, listen up, as this is seriously interesting stuff.
A couple of years ago, I got introduced to a supplement (that’s capsules in a bottle, like at the health food store) by my friend John Gray. The effects have been remarkable over this time, and the implications for the relationship of brain chemistry and consciousness are off the charts. I got in touch with Brian Cunningham, the inventor of the capsules in the bottle, and learned a lot about how the brain works.
Wanna know more? Well, I’m no scientist, but I’ve been experimenting, so I’ll do my best to explain.
For as long as we can remember back, we know that human beings have been affected by different moods, or states of consciousness. Excitement is a state of consciousness. Boredom is a state. So is depression, anxiety, grief. At the other end of the spectrum is elation, oneness with God, insight and clarity. For most of our human history there has been a very foggy understanding of the relationship between states of consciousness and the biochemistry of the brain.
As you know, in the last few decades, scientists have begun to understand what is going on in the brain when, for example, someone is depressed. There is a neurochemical imbalance.
Brian Cunningham explains to me that our brains have an array of neurochemicals that need to be in a specific balance. To create a symphony, to make beautiful music, you want to have every instrument working in harmony. It’s the same thing with neurochemistry in your brain. When there is an imbalance, we experience negative states like anxiety, stress, and depression. Depression, for example, is characterized by a deficiency of serotonin. Anxiety could be too much elevation of cortisol and adrenaline hormones, or also an imbalance of serotonin. Everything has to be in balance. We have, in recent years come to understand how to treat pathological states with chemicals. When someone is depressed, they do not have enough serotonin. It is being created, but reabsorbed too quickly. So by inhibiting the process of “uptaking” serotonin, we can reduce symptoms of depression. An equivalent understanding applies to anxiety, and even more severe states like schizophrenia.
Now here is the really interesting part. Ready? Sure? Ok. Here goes!
The conversation gets really interesting when we question what is actually a normal and healthy balance of brain chemistry. If you are simply not depressed, or not anxious, does this mean that the balance of brain chemistry is actually normal and healthy?
Cunningham says no. We are all living with brains significantly out of balance, which makes it more difficult to relax into the natural state of consciousness. He points out that not only is the planet is heating up with global warming, but so are the people. The primary cause of disease, he reports, is now inflammation, the heating up of the body. There is a synchronicity on many levels, from the personal to the collective. He sees that people are running 24/7, go go go, Starbucks and Redbull all day long, and then falling down. We are, he says, not respecting the cycles of life. And this manifests in negative, emotional states.
As we come to recognize that what we think of as normal and average is really imbalanced, we’re able to see first how lifestyle can be changed to a restore us to a natural state of balance. And then we can also understand the possibility of the right supplementation and nutrition to bring our brain back into a state of balance.
Cunningham says it’s about grounding yourself in the roots. To have a nice, healthy tree, you have to have good biochemistry. The soil has to be fertile. As well as good diet, good sleep, enough exercise, we can also use the right supplements to modulate the balance of brain chemistry.
He explains that your brain is a dance of hot and cold, light and day. We have neurotransmitters that get us up and get us going, and also inhibitory neurotransmitters that help us relax and reduce stress, and get into the flow of life. Both are needed.
Gaba is the main inhibitory transmitter in the brain. It helps you to relax and reduce stress. It is also involved in states of deep meditation, and supports the brain to allow us to have realization of awakening. We are all, collectively, Gaba deficient. The problem that if you go to a vitamin store and buy a bottle of Gaba, it it can’t get into the brain because the molecule is too big to cross the blood brain barrier. It only has a moderate degree of success.
Brian has discovered a unique combination of amino acids including a special form of gaba called phenyl-gaba, which effectively passes through the blood brain barrier to directly effect brain gaba levels and optimize neuronal function. Chameli and I have experimented with this form of Gaba since early 2009. It is called Gabatrol. The great news is that you do not become dependent on it. You use it as a form of biochemistry education. When stress levels start to rise, which you can feel from your state of consciousness, you can take a one time dose of Gaba. Your brain is restored to optimum balance in as little as fifteen minutes, which then allows you to make better choices about how to spend your time. You remember how to relax and reduce stress, and you are more able to center and balance yourself so you can achieve whatever you want to with less effort.
We have noticed a wide array of benefits to working in this way. Meditation goes much deeper. Magically you find you have more time. Sex becomes more relaxed, pleasurable and timeless. You feel more love. And, as I mentioned, one dose when you need it can get you back into balance for weeks or months till you need to use it again. You can order Gabatrol here.
Please join Brian Cunningham and me at 6 pm PST on July 29th for a fascinating discussion about brain chemistry and consciousness. We will also talk about how you can use Gaba in the same way as we have been doing to enhance every aspect of your life. If you can’t make the live seminar, register anyway and we’ll send you a link for the replay.
REGISTER HERE FOR THE TELESEMINAR
OR, IF YOU JUST CAN’T WAIT, BUY GABATROL HERE
November 20, 2010 at 10:46 am
Hi Arjuna,
Thanks for this post – very interesting, and I’m going to look into experimenting with Gabatrol.
You said that we are collectively GABA deficient– do you have any more information on this claim? For instance, does it mean that humans used to have adequate levels but modern lifestyle (stress, food production methods, etc.) have lowered them?
thanks again, and for all your blogs.
see you at ISE soon!
Tyler
August 31, 2010 at 8:24 pm
thankyou
August 28, 2010 at 11:28 am
thank you.
August 3, 2010 at 6:02 pm
One needs to determine whether the cause of depression is some inner chemical imbalance or a result of certain circumstances in one’s life. If it’s the circumstances (and I’m sure many people experience this), how can a drug or a supplement affect that? How can taking the supplement/drug help you solve the root cause if you’re artificially happy due to happy chemicals in your brain and no longer interested in your original issue (like say, a job you can’t stand)? Isn’t it better to search for the root cause and solve that problem? Doesn’t searching involve looking within and discovering your higher self and your higher purpose? I always thought so, and I searched, and I found the answers…
Christine Hoeflich
July 28, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Nuno;
the human body is far from perfect and is in a state of constant flux from outside influences. In fact – the line between the outside and inside (you) blur the deeper you look. So while as transcending beings we may be perfect -down here in 3 dimensions we are part and parcel of our environment. You need all kinds of chemicals to live, from O2, H2O, O3 fatty acids, the 22 essential amino acids derived from your environment, etc etc…
hugs release oxytocin so n fact everything we do is mediated by chemicals both outside and inside!
July 28, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Nuno;
the human body is far from perfect and is in a state of constant flux from outside influences. In fact – the line between the outside and inside (you) blur the deeper you look. So
July 28, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Cedar et al;
If anyone wants a compendium of studies on the effects of any ingredient in Gabatrol, please feel free to contact me. Cara seems to overstate her case along with her apparent personal disdain for nutritional supplements. This I feel is unfair and NOT based on science but personal opinion. There are quite a number of studies on the efficacy of phenyl-gaba.
Brian
July 28, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Cara;
thanks for raising that issue. I can report that after selling thousands of bottles of Gabatrol, I do get a couple of people every year who abuse it. These tend to be people with addiction issues – like recovering drug or alcohol abuse. However the number is extremely small. For most people, using it with respect gives great upside with little or no downside. But alas, like everything, it has a good and a bad side.
Ironically in Europe some doctors use phenyl-gaba to help people recover from alcohol addiciton.
Brian
July 28, 2010 at 10:44 am
Hi,
On the one hand there’s the longing to open up, which implies realising there’s really no “me”, on the other hand this seems not possible without going through a phase or at least moments of TOTAL vulnerability (and it’s rather like going though the eye of the needle), from which I have unfortunately always shrunk back. I don’t suppose Gabatrol or any other chemical has any bearing on the essential and could help anyone “overcome” vulnerability. This would not make any sense. I understand fear is the key to liberation and it cannot be anything else than total. But on the other hand Premananda from Open Sky House, stating thatI have deep trauma and that I should have myself medication subscribed by a shrink, claimed that this would help raise my presence from “20%” to “80%”. How any medication can do that I don’t see. But he didn’t give any more details and didn’t know which medication.
I don’t have any work-related stress, because I don’t work. I don’t do anything. I’m just basically totally contracted like all of the time. So would Gabatrol be of any use?
Greetz,
Stefaan, E-mail: stefaan_vanlangendonck@yahoo.com
July 28, 2010 at 9:27 am
Hi Arjuna,
I’ve been doing brain chemistry rebalancing work since 2008 with a man who since passed. He was an awakened buddhist and brilliant with brain chemistry. Ahead of his time and off the grid. Along with many others, he saved my life. Spiritual work only took me deeper into flight or fight, which he said was low GABA. He noted it was a gift b/c I could see things, but that without serotonin and dopamine I was in a constant state of anxiety. Because of him I have learned to balance my own brain. Like you and Chameli, I experiment on myself.
Recently, I found a company out of Austin that tests and sells natural supplementation for balancing brain chemistry. The testing is important. Each person gets a personalized protocol. And, their GABA also crosses the blood brain barrier (I did ask the owner about it specifically).
The website is http://www.Neurogistics.com. They also work with children, including internationally adopted children. They see excellent results. I personally know the owner of the company and she tests her supplements 3 times before they are sold.
For really big issues, direct your people to Dr. Eric Braverman. He wrote THE EDGE EFFECT about brain chemistry balancing. It’s excellent. I personally know him and he is brilliant. Expensive but brilliant. If you have big issues, he’s the one to see. http://www.PathMed.com
Thanks for bringing this issue to light.
Scout
July 28, 2010 at 8:42 am
Hi Arjuna,
Enjoyed your post on Gaba. Sounds interesting. I ran it by my friend Cara who is in a phd program on brain physiology and her response is below. She does tend to be sceptical about everything but i respect her feedback and thought you may like to hear it too.
Still i favor life style changes over drugs/supplements as the body produces everything we need given the right conditions and excellent nutrition. Supplements can also be a way to remain oblivious to unconscious unhealthy patterns just as are drugs.
Blessings,
Cedar
Hi Cedar,
Thanks for the article. This supplement ( beta phenyl-Gaba) has been used since 2000. The majority of the research was originally done in Russia. It is a substance which needs to be used in a very controlled manner. Current research shows that is has extreme consequences for most people and should be used ONLY for short duration ( during crisis anxiety ). The withdrawal and tolerance affects are miserable. When used in therapy, it is highly effective, but must be closely monitored.
The claims to the opposite are not based in any research or medical findings and (as with most supplements ) are misrepresented for profit value.
Thanks again for forwarding this article.
Cara
July 28, 2010 at 8:55 am
thank you Cedar for this valuable feedback. I’d love to hear from Cara where I can read research on extreme consequences and withdrawl and tolerance affects. Can you put me in touch with her?
July 28, 2010 at 9:30 am
Interestingly, I have taken about 500 mg of GABA (the kind that crosses the bbb) daily for about 7 months. No negative consequences. I re-test myself every few months to keep levels accurate. See my post above. I test at http://www.Neurogistics.com.
July 28, 2010 at 6:54 am
I just started a walking/jogging exercise program…I LOVE IT and what it does for my attitude! But am very interested in Gabatrol also to help me along, so I’m very much looking forward to the teleseminar.
I am SO happy I opened you email…thank you!
July 28, 2010 at 8:56 am
hey Dana
walking and jogging is very important!
Gabatrol is only one small piece of the puzzle
July 28, 2010 at 2:48 am
I really like your work and blog, but this post really put me to a test here.
I strongly believe that human body is perfect and i am aware that the environment around humans can have various negative effects, but i am aware that we do not need any kind of substances or outside chemicals to put us into balance, we can do that naturally, just feeling our body and listening to it in detail, just be aware of our own body.
I would like to suggest a book to everyone it´s called “Anastasia” and the author is Vladimir Megre.
This book really explains the connection between our own-self and our body and nature connection.
As i said i really like your work and blog, but i just wanted to share my deep opinion with you and the rest of the community.
July 28, 2010 at 8:57 am
Hey Nuno
Nice name!
We are aware of the Anastasia work. Did you meet her?
I agree with you, and keep away from chemicals etc. This is only a small peice of the puzzle, that can restore balance quickly, and allow you then to make smarter lifestyle choices
love to you
a
July 28, 2010 at 1:35 am
Why do we need drugs? more drugs?
please share you wisdom on natural foods and ways of living rather than more unnecessary consumption
July 27, 2010 at 9:49 pm
well, last time was by water, the flood, the second chakra…
this time it’s by fire, inflamation, 3rd chakra…
July 27, 2010 at 9:26 pm
I believe the body is the most amazing thing I have ever encountered and it always has the ability to create perfect health because that is it’s natural state of being. My heart beats, my lungs breathe, my stomach digests food, my eyes see, without any effort on my part! I cut my finger and it heals by itself! I nourished a seed and gave birth to another human being!! INCREDIBLE!!
I have learned that working too hard and too long, creating stress in my life, resisting my inner guidance, not nourishing myself with more pleasure in my life, all help to create my physical challenges. Today I am choosing to listen more closely every day to what that inner voice is saying when It requests I change my eating habits, nourish myself more, relax, include more pleasure in my life. Following this kind of wisdom provides me the same affects as taking some expensive supplement, however, I realize it is not as easy or quick. I just know the more I make these new things into my new habitual patterns, the less I will need things “outside myself” to create any kind of mood or state of being.
Also, it has been proved time and time again, with double blind studies, that placebos do work, even in curing cancer. The More someone Believes in the “power” of what they are taking, or the person providing it, the more likely the results will be positive. My two cents.
July 28, 2010 at 8:59 am
thanks Morgine
I agree with you totally. It is balance and wisdom that heals!
this is only a small piece of the puzzle that can help to restore balance.
July 27, 2010 at 5:00 pm
what time is that in Australia?
July 27, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Please how can I get my hands on some of this gaba?
July 27, 2010 at 5:30 pm
We have added a link that you can order Gabatrol now
July 27, 2010 at 3:43 pm
interested in Gaba!
July 27, 2010 at 4:54 pm
will explain all on Thursday evening!