Understand why oral GABA and CBD disappoint

Be skeptical of GABA supplements and CBD products marketed specifically for sleep. The clinical evidence for both is weak.

Why It Works (or Doesn't)

Oral GABA is the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, but supplemental GABA has poor blood-brain barrier penetration. Any effects may work through the gut-brain axis rather than directly calming the brain.

CBD: A 2025 meta-analysis of 6 trials (1,077 patients) found CBD-only therapies showed no significant effect on sleep quality. Benefits appear more pronounced for anxiety and well-being than for objective sleep measures. Product quality and dosing vary enormously due to minimal regulation.

Tips

• If anxiety is driving your insomnia, CBD may have indirect benefit through anxiolytic effects
• Oral GABA's mechanism remains debated in the scientific community
• Both are expensive relative to better-evidenced alternatives like magnesium