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GABA or Ashwagandha for Sleep: Which One Should You Choose?

GABA or Ashwagandha for Sleep: Which One Should You Choose?

 

You're not the only one who finds it hard to fall asleep every night. As stress levels rise and schedules get busier, more and more individuals are looking for natural ways to sleep better. GABA and ashwagandha are two of the most talked-about alternatives, but which one is best for sleep?

Disclaimer: This content is intended solely for informational and educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Table of Contents

  • What Is GABA?
  • What Is Ashwagandha?
  • How GABA Affects Sleep
  • How Ashwagandha Affects Sleep
  • Which One Should You Try?
  • Conclusion
  • References and Resources

What Is GABA?

Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, is a neurotransmitter that the brain makes on its own. It calms things down by blocking some brain signals, which helps to slow down nerve activity. When your brain has adequate GABA, you feel less worried and more peaceful.

To help with stress, calm the mind, and aid sleep, many people use GABA as a supplement. The body naturally produces GABA, but external stressors and other circumstances can deplete natural levels, leading to the recommendation for supplementation.

What Is Ashwagandha?

Ayurvedic medicine has utilized ashwagandha for a long time because it can help the body adapt. Adaptogens assist the body in dealing with stress by keeping hormones in check and mood stable. People often suggest ashwagandha to help with stress, lower cortisol levels, and improve mental health in general.

It is becoming more and more popular in the sleep area because stress and elevated cortisol levels are often the main causes of insomnia. Ashwagandha helps you sleep better by lowering your stress reaction.

How GABA Affects Sleep

GABA is a direct part of the sleep process. It slows down the activity that keeps you awake by acting like a brake on your nerve system. Many pharmaceutical sleep medications, such as benzodiazepines, enhance the effectiveness of GABA. Taking GABA as a supplement may have similar relaxing effects, especially for people who have too many thoughts at night.

One problem with GABA supplements, though, is that they don't always work well in the body. Some scientists believe that the blood-brain barrier hinders the effectiveness of GABA taken orally. That being said, a lot of people still say they feel calmer and sleep better when they use it regularly, which suggests that it may have some indirect or peripheral effects on the neurological system.

How Ashwagandha Affects Sleep

Ashwagandha doesn't directly alter neurotransmitters like GABA does, but it does help you sleep in another essential way: it lowers cortisol. Cortisol is the main hormone that causes stress, and excessive levels at night can make it hard to sleep. Ashwagandha seems to change this hormone, which makes it easier for your body to relax.

Clinical investigations have demonstrated that ashwagandha extract enhances sleep quality and latency, which refers to the speed at which individuals fall asleep. It might also help you feel more awake during the day by helping you sleep better at night.

Which One Should You Try?

If your sleep problems stem from a racing mind or general anxiety, GABA could be the optimal choice for you. It's great for folks who want something that works quickly and calms them down. However, ashwagandha could be a more effective remedy if your sleeplessness stems from long-term stress or burnout. It works more slowly, but it gets to the source of the problem by soothing your stress reaction.

You can also talk to a doctor about utilizing both. Some people say that taking GABA and ashwagandha together makes them work better together. GABA helps you feel peaceful right away, and ashwagandha helps you deal with stress over time.

Both are usually thought to be safe, but the effects can be different. It's a good idea to start with one, keep track of how well you sleep, and see how your body reacts.

Conclusion

Both GABA and ashwagandha can help you sleep better, although they do it in distinct ways. GABA calms the mind right away, whereas ashwagandha helps you deal with stress over time. No matter which one you pick, the most important thing is to stick with it and live a lifestyle that helps you sleep, such as slowing down, minimizing screen time, and making your home a peaceful place to sleep.

References