How Protein Affects GABA and Mental Health

GABA:
The Calming Presence

The neurotransmitter GABA is a brake for the brain. It slows excess activity, calms anxiety, and helps reset an overworked nervous system. GABA operates in partner­ship with glutamate, a chemical that acts as the brain’s accelerator. Both are necessary.

If you feel revved up, agitated, or ruminative, your brain may have too much glutamate and insufficient GABA. This is the most challenging of these patterns to adjust through diet. You’re trying not to increase any amino acids but to decrease glutamate.

Try avoiding high-­glutamate foods, such as aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented or pickled foods. Then lower your protein consumption a little and consider focusing on vegetarian elements: fresh, brightly colored fruits and veggies; beans and legumes; whole grains; and nuts and seeds. This can help cool an overheated mental engine.