Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter, and GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. They’re supposed to keep each other in balance (to an extent), so increasing GABA should theoretically lower glutamate.
Perhaps that drink after work isn’t such a bad idea after all…
I’ve had great success with N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) which brings glutamate back into balance with GABA [1]. The upshot of this is, it’s reduced my binge-like behaviours massively, although I’m slightly more anhedonic than before.. or maybe just balanced now. Also clears the chest very rapidly. YMMV.
Good for you, but NAC has a host of effects so you couldn't say it was due to glutamate for sure.
For example, NAC mainly increases glutathione, the primary antioxidant your body uses, so it may reduce the level of oxidative stress and lower your body's stress response. It also increases the level of SAM-e in your body (as you can transform sulfur containing amino acids methionine and cysteine into each other). SAM-e is a crucial cofactor for many processes including creation of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. And an increase in sulfur amino acids (including NAC) also modulates your gut microbiome.
Perhaps that drink after work isn’t such a bad idea after all…