"If within 3 hours of taking it [GABA] you feel more relaxed and quiet, then GABA is able to get into your brain, pass the blood brain barrier. It shouldn't be able to do this".

Well some of the GABA product descriptions are as follows:

'Studies have shown that GABA has a relaxing effect and reduces anxiety in healthy subjects in stressful situations - just one hour after it is taken.'

I am confused. They are saying that feeling relaxed after taking this is supposed to happen? Are they wrong?

GABA is sold as a relaxant due to its ability to inhibit. That can make people more relaxed, calmer, or less anxious as examples. The true picture is a bit more involved than that. If GABA, as a neurotransmitter, inhibits excitatory impulses, you'll feel the results listed above (relaxed, calmer, etc). If GABA inhibits inhibitory impulses (something that is already inhibiting excitatory impulses), you'll feel more anxious, agitated, etc. It all depends on what neurons and neurotransmitters it's affecting. GABA is too large to be absorbed through the Blood Brain Barrier, so there should be no affect unless the barrier is compromised in some way. So people with BBB integrity problems will be affected by taking GABA orally, and those with intact BBB, won't have any affect. This sums up people's experience with GABA. Someone may have good results by taking it and think it's a wonder pill, while others may have no result and think that it doesn't work. Others will have a bad affect and think that no one should be taking it. It has the best chance at working as a relaxant in people with BBB problems, only if it inhibits excitatory impulses.


If after taking it I do feel relaxed, is it safe to keep taking it as a remedy for anxiety until I get rid of my candida?

YES

Will a leaky BBB reduce the effectiveness of the Plan or can you repair a leaky BBB duting the plan?

I recommend taking Bilberry extract and Pycnogenol to heal the BBB. Reducing inflammation and balancing function in the body via the McCombs Plan can help to assist in the process. The body may be able to heal on its own under the right conditions.

Pretty good description of the GABA Challenge:
http://alternativethyroidtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Blood-Brain-Barrier-Importance-Challenge.pdf

Here's one you haven't heard before:
I want to make my BBB leaky temporarily. I'm set for a PCR Toxoplasmosis test, figure they are in my brain, want them to be able to get out, and into the bloodstream a day or two before the test to increase likelihood of detection.

What affect does aspirin have on the blood-brain barrier? Is there anything I can take or eat that will make stuff cross more than usual? Maybe phenylalanine?