Foods to calm you down fast

1. Posted by jj on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Per research papers, a typical dosage of GABA (short for gamma-aminobutyric acid) for anxiety or sleep disorders is 100-200 mg up to three times daily. Dosages of GABA found to benefit a subset of individuals with epilepsy ranged from 1,500-2,500 mg daily. It's also not recommended for pregnant or lactating women because of its effect on neurotransmitters. So watch out, even if it's from a health food store with claims of natural, you are still medicating yourself and this is still therefore a "medication" and a person needs to know how much to take depending on their gender and state of current health. Meds from health food stores must be taken with the same care as any med from the "medical establishment".

Report Abuse

2. Posted by johannsvenja on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Why isn't beer on the list? Thats my go to for stress releif

Report Abuse

3. Posted by summer time on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

a good quality of sleep helps relieve stress too. i like all the suggestions on this page. i will try some of them out.

Report Abuse

4. Posted by gotya on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

health food stores will tell you what ever you want to hear

Report Abuse

5. Posted by sassenach1743 on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Gamma-aminobutyric acid smoothie....yummm.

Report Abuse

6. Posted by Instinctual on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

All the research I've studied, shows GABA doesn't cross the blood brain barrier. L-Theanine is good, or possibly a pre-cursor to Serotonin like 5HTP.

Report Abuse

7. Posted by DragonMissy5 on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Berries, avocado and chocolate??~ It's a winning combination! ^_^*

Report Abuse

8. Posted by parand6 on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Useful info. thanks

Report Abuse

9. Posted by gotya on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

health food stores will tell you what ever you want to hear

Report Abuse

10. Posted by jeffoneonone2004 on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

To numbers 11 and 14, some of us are trying to relieve our stress from a LACK of a sex life, thanks anyway.

Report Abuse

11. Posted by John N on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Re, oranges and vitamin c; If you need 1000mg, then be prepared to eat a lot! A large orange MAY contain 70mg, so that means you have to eat a dozen of them! Better yet, pop a vitamin C and take more than 1000 mg. I was friends with the late Linus Pauling, inventor of orthomolocular science wherein you give high amount of vitamins to acheive optimium health. I take 8000 daily on average.

Report Abuse

12. Posted by coldplaywithu on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

As for taking herbal "medications" to releive stress, watch out. The best way to nourish your brain is to eat the right food and to exercise. Period. Don't waste your cash. (For us English speaking folks, Chai is simply the name of a kind of tea. I do not hear "tea tea" because I speak English. I like to be called Chai tea, so I don't mix it up with other kinds :) What is moronic is that I am actually taking some of my lunch hour to respond).

Report Abuse

13. Posted by Fudge on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

I think that going it the natural way is best...all these foods give you great health benefits apart from only relieving stress. Why look for any other remedy...just go to your local supermarket. Why not walk there - another excellent way to relieve stress...

Report Abuse

14. Posted by sulabha on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

There is a company called "Nu-Life" that makes splendid products that really work. For years I had sleeping problems and nothing works but Natrarest by Nu-Life really does. I don't use it all the time now - but a few nights in a row sets a pattern and then ... ZZZs. The other product by the same company called Tranquility works when I am really stressed and anxious. The best part is that it contains all natural ingredients - hebs, roots, etc..

Report Abuse

15. Posted by Maggie on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Right on Fudge!

Report Abuse

16. Posted by take a pill on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

To "coldplaywithu" (I am a cold play fan)...Chai tea is redundant. I speak English too and most people I know are aware that chai means tea. I agree with everything else you say - eat right, exercise and sleep well. As busy as everyone is nowadays, these things have to take priority. Don't medicate yourself - leave GABAergic drugs to those who medically need it.

Report Abuse

17. Posted by Duma on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Tropical fruit durian also is calming fruit as it is good for digestion.

Report Abuse

18. Posted by Kenny D on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Vigorous exercise beats all. It engages your mind away from the stressors, it is(should) be enjoyable, it can be social, it has long term benefits, you are improving yourself, it makes you tired (better sleep), it balances your appetite. Get up, get out, get active!

Report Abuse

19. Posted by Bluebird2008 on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

The right thing to do, the natural way? Truth is that natural products, what to eat, what it does for you, all of that is like Wikipedia: it's a vox populi truth. Not based on verifiable facts but whatever the general population is ready to swallow as th truth. You want to feel better? Listen to yourself! If ice cream, beer, non black chocolate, shopping for heaven's sake does it for you then do it! I sooth my nerves with a long walk, a coffee and chocolate. Is it good for me? Hell yes! When I'm down I need to feel better no feel like I'm on a freaking diet! I can go back to taking care of my body after. And for God's sake leave the Chai tea alone next you'll get a French guy to tell you to stop calling French fries French because they are not!

Report Abuse

20. Posted by auntyem on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

...oranges, nuts, berries.... crap? right... tell that to Mother Nature (as much as I DO love chocolate, it does have too many negative effects...)

Report Abuse

21. Posted by w8titsme on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

It certainly is something to think about.

Report Abuse

22. Posted by Dewy on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

I've always found that sitting alone listening to your favourite music with a glass of Armerito on the rocks calms me down the best .

Report Abuse

23. Posted by robbi_bitner on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

De-stress with whatever feels good to you. For me, that changes depending on the day, my mood and the stress factors involved. Sometimes yoga, sometimes, chocolate, sometimes berries, sometimes smoking. Whatever. Seems to me it's healthier to reduce your stress level any way you can than it is to worry about whether or not you're reducing stress "properly". And for you nitpickers, when us English speakers say chai tea, we are referring to a specific spiced blend - masala chai - which is why most of us add the word tea. You might hear tea tea, we hear spiced tea.

Report Abuse

24. Posted by jj on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Gamma-aminobutyric acid itself is a inhibitory neurotransmitter distributed throughout the central nervous system. Essentially, if you take it, you are taking "extra" of this inhibitory neurotransmitter. It inhibits excitation within the central nervous system, that's why it calms you down. Too long to describe here but it is not useless per statement by phoenix30 as there are analogs of this neurotransmitter that are taken by people with health problems related to lack or low levels of it. Bottom line is it's better not to medicate yourself with something from a health food store - just good diet and exercise, and if that doesn't work, see a professional who can suggest various alternatives.

Report Abuse

25. Posted by joanne80329tsung on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Whats Gamma-aminobutyric acid ?

Report Abuse

26. Posted by sangilma on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

I really love reading those comments,sometimes there are people that really knows and that helps,u know what? I love avocado and chocolate;)

Report Abuse

27. Posted by GreatEastern on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

I mean! What's an ounce in Canadian?

Report Abuse

28. Posted by George D on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

Zahmed_1970, Thanks, didn't know that about CHAI. i like the stuff, myself. but for me, to relieve stress? heck, alone or in any combination, give me the following: Chocolate -love dark, it IS the best-, sex, and mixed nuts. If I have to include anything else or select another option, guacamole and chips/crackers -whole wheat or not- or lastly, a couple oranges or a grapefruit. still get my C that way, too, and that only depends on which one is in the house. Chocolate I'll walk for, lol

Report Abuse

29. Posted by George D on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

what negative effects auntyem? good for youre heart, tastes great, and you don't need to polish off the whole bar, just 1-2 pcs (yes i have the control to do that) is all u need. any more stress? try then the nuts/oranges.

Report Abuse

30. Posted by M C on Wed, Jan 30, 2008

I think the thing is, they are suggesting things that do MORE that just relieve stress. How about the fibre, good fats, vitamins and minerals, etc. in these foods. I take vitamin suppliments...A multi vitamin, C, D, Fish Oil..in addition to trying to eat better and excercise as much as I am able. I have a chronic pain problem so am also on perscription meds, but I've cut some of those back because I don't like some of the adverse effects.

Report Abuse