CBD, GABA, and the brain’s natural chill button

Make sure you buy your CBD from a reputable British brand

In the ever-expanding world of wellness, few natural compounds have gained as much attention for their calming powers as CBD. As we know, CBD helps calm the nervous system in several ways, but perhaps the most effective is its influence on a crucial neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).

Think of GABA as your brain’s “brake pedal.” When the mind and body are racing—due to stress, anxiety, or overstimulation—GABA is the chemical that tells everything to slow down. It acts like a natural tranquilizer, reducing excessive neural activity and helping restore balance. One of its key roles is inhibiting the production of cortisol, the so-called “stress hormone” released by the adrenal glands. Cortisol is essential in small amounts, but chronically elevated levels are associated with anxiety, sleep disturbances, and burnout.

Now, here’s where CBD comes in. While it doesn’t bind directly to GABA receptors like pharmaceuticals such as benzodiazepines do, studies suggest that CBD enhances GABA signaling in a more nuanced way. It appears to increase the availability of GABA in the brain by influencing enzymes that break it down, helping it stick around longer and work more effectively. This gives the brain more time to shift into a relaxed state, promoting calm, reducing anxiety, and setting the stage for better sleep.

Why GABA matters for sleep, anxiety, and everyday calm

When your brain has enough GABA, you're less likely to feel on edge, wired, or overwhelmed. It becomes easier to wind down at night, focus during the day, and roll with the punches when stress hits. That’s why both CBD, magnesium and L-theanine are increasingly seen as valuable tools in holistic mental wellness routines.

Other supplements and GABA

You may have seen advertising for herbs and mushrooms like Ashwagandha that help the body adapt to stress. Magnesium (a mineral) and L-Theanine (an amino acid) also interact with the GABA system, though in slightly different ways. Take Ashwagandha, for example. This ancient Ayurvedic herb has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and support GABA activity in the brain. It doesn't work as quickly or directly as CBD might, but over time, Ashwagandha seems to upregulate GABA receptors, helping the brain respond better to its own calming signals.

So while adaptogens and CBD share a goal, restoring balance to a stressed-out nervous system, they get there via different routes. CBD tends to offer more immediate relief by enhancing GABA’s presence in the moment, while adaptogens work on a broader, more systemic level, helping the body become more resilient to stress over time. That said, CBD works on a multitude of levels throughout the entire body and brain, regulating mood, hormones and sleep patterns as well as reducing pain, to name a few other benefits. So if you want a natural supplement that does a whole lot more than reduce stress, stick to CBD!

Our favourite combination for lowering anxiety and helping with sleep is CBD alongside magnesium glycinate. Oh, and perhaps an adaptogen ashwagandha coffee in the morning!