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GABA Calm Orange Flavor

Source Naturals

4.5
(296 ratings)
Glycine 50 mg
Taurine 20 mg
GABA 125 mg
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Score 30.0

A multi-ingredient calming blend whose effectiveness is severely hampered by sub-therapeutic dosages of all its active components (GABA, Glycine, Taurine, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, Magnesium), offering minimal practical benefit compared to more potent alternatives.

Quantity: 60 Liquid(s)Servings size: 1 Lozenge(s) (60 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Brain Health
Stress Relief
Digestive Health
Sleep Support
Heart Health

Score 30.0

A multi-ingredient calming blend whose effectiveness is severely hampered by sub-therapeutic dosages of all its active components (GABA, Glycine, Taurine, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, Magnesium), offering minimal practical benefit compared to more potent alternatives.

Analysis

Source Naturals GABA Calm Orange Flavor offers a combination of key ingredients aimed at promoting relaxation and cognitive balance, including GABA, Glycine, Taurine, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, and Magnesium. While the blend of these neurotransmitter precursors and calming agents is theoretically sound for stress, mood, and sleep support, the actual quantities provided per serving are exceptionally low across the board. For instance, 125mg of GABA is considerably less than the 500-750mg typically found in effective standalone supplements, and the 50mg of Glycine and 20mg of Taurine are negligible compared to the gram-level doses often associated with their therapeutic benefits. The minimal 5mg of magnesium further exemplifies this issue, making it unlikely for the product to deliver substantial relief for its broad list of goals when evaluated against established research and market alternatives. This underdosing strategy significantly compromises its potential impact and value.
Pros
  • Features a synergistic blend of multiple ingredients known for their calming and mood-supporting properties.
  • The liquid form may offer faster absorption compared to capsules or tablets.
  • Orange flavor might make it more palatable for regular consumption.
Cons
  • All active ingredients (GABA, Glycine, Taurine, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, Magnesium) are present in significantly low dosages, likely rendering them sub-therapeutic for most individuals.
  • The low potency results in questionable efficacy for achieving the broad range of stated health goals.
  • Poor value for money due to the minimal quantity of active ingredients per serving at its price point.
Warnings
  • Consumers may find the product ineffective due to the low concentrations of active compounds, potentially leading to disappointment or the temptation to exceed recommended dosages.
  • Those seeking substantial relief for stress, mood, or sleep issues may need to explore alternatives with higher, evidence-based dosages of key ingredients.
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$9.98($0.16 per serving)
Vitacost
$ 9.98
Walmart
$ 10.06
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Effectiveness for goals

Dosage, timing & forms

Safety & interactions

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Magnesium
5 mg
GABA
125 mg
Glycine
50 mg
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine
25 mg
Taurine
20 mg
Adults 18–50
Report overview

Categories

GABA 20.0
The product contains 125mg of GABA, which is a very low dose compared to many standalone GABA supplements available that typically offer 500mg or 750mg per serving for efficacy.
With only 50mg of Glycine per serving, this product provides an extremely low amount relative to the several grams often used in studies for sleep and calming effects, making its contribution minimal.
The 20mg of Taurine is an inconsequential dose for any known physiological benefits. Most effective Taurine supplements provide hundreds of milligrams to grams per serving.

Goals

While the ingredients like GABA, Glycine, Taurine, and Magnesium are relevant for stress relief, their dosages are extremely low (e.g., 125mg GABA, 50mg Glycine, 5mg Magnesium) and are unlikely to provide significant relief for most individuals compared to higher-dosed supplements.
The blend includes N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine and GABA, which are linked to mood, but the very low quantities (25mg NALT, 125mg GABA) make substantial mood benefits improbable. Effective dosages for these ingredients are typically much higher.
Ingredients such as GABA, Glycine, and Magnesium are known for promoting sleep, but the product's dosages (125mg GABA, 50mg Glycine, 5mg Magnesium) are far below the amounts typically required to induce noticeable sleep improvements, making its efficacy for this goal limited.
85 Value

GABA 500 mg

NOW
4.6
(43750 ratings)
This alternative offers a much higher and more effective dose of GABA (500mg vs 125mg) along with Vitamin B6, at a significantly lower price per serving (7 cents vs 16 cents), representing excellent value for a primary GABA supplement.
90 Value

GABA 750 mg

Source Naturals Serene Science
4.4
(2735 ratings)
Directly from the same brand, this product delivers a far superior dosage of GABA (750mg vs 125mg) at a substantially lower price per serving (6 cents vs 16 cents), making it an exceptional value for targeted GABA support.
75 Value

Taurine 1000 mg

Life Extension
4.8
(18629 ratings)
While a single ingredient, this alternative provides a robust and effective dose of Taurine (1000mg vs 20mg) at a minimal price per serving (6 cents vs 16 cents), offering significantly greater value for one of the key calming ingredients that is underdosed in the original.
90 Performance

Theanine Serene With Relora

Source Naturals
4.6
(32 ratings)
This alternative offers significantly higher and more therapeutically relevant dosages of GABA (500mg), Taurine (450mg), and Magnesium (300mg), along with L-Theanine and Relora, making it a much more comprehensive and effective formula for stress, mood, and sleep support.
85 Performance

True Calm

NOW
4.6
(4164 ratings)
This product provides better dosages of GABA (200mg), Taurine (200mg), and Glycine (200mg) compared to the original, and includes additional beneficial compounds like Valerian and B-vitamins, making it a more effective option for broad stress and mood support.
95 Performance

Sleep Nighttime Powder

youtheory
4.3
(158 ratings)
For sleep support, this product is vastly superior, offering a dramatically higher and clinically effective dose of Glycine (3000mg vs 50mg) along with other potent sleep aids like L-Theanine and Magnesium, making it far more likely to produce noticeable sleep benefits.
85 Budget

GABA 750 mg

NOW
4.6
(25858 ratings)
Delivering an even higher dose of GABA (750mg vs 125mg) for a lower price per serving (9 cents vs 16 cents), this product is more likely to be effective for stress and sleep support and offers better value.
70 Budget

GABA Gamma Aminobutyric Acid 250 mg

Swanson Premium Brand
4.7
(1788 ratings)
This option provides double the GABA content (250mg vs 125mg) at a considerably lower price per serving (5 cents vs 16 cents), making it a much more cost-effective choice for a foundational GABA supplement.
85 Value

GABA 500 mg

NOW
4.6
(43750 ratings)
This alternative offers a much higher and more effective dose of GABA (500mg vs 125mg) along with Vitamin B6, at a significantly lower price per serving (7 cents vs 16 cents), representing excellent value for a primary GABA supplement.
90 Value

GABA 750 mg

Source Naturals Serene Science
4.4
(2735 ratings)
Directly from the same brand, this product delivers a far superior dosage of GABA (750mg vs 125mg) at a substantially lower price per serving (6 cents vs 16 cents), making it an exceptional value for targeted GABA support.
75 Value

Taurine 1000 mg

Life Extension
4.8
(18629 ratings)
While a single ingredient, this alternative provides a robust and effective dose of Taurine (1000mg vs 20mg) at a minimal price per serving (6 cents vs 16 cents), offering significantly greater value for one of the key calming ingredients that is underdosed in the original.
90 Performance

Theanine Serene With Relora

Source Naturals
4.6
(32 ratings)
This alternative offers significantly higher and more therapeutically relevant dosages of GABA (500mg), Taurine (450mg), and Magnesium (300mg), along with L-Theanine and Relora, making it a much more comprehensive and effective formula for stress, mood, and sleep support.
85 Performance

True Calm

NOW
4.6
(4164 ratings)
This product provides better dosages of GABA (200mg), Taurine (200mg), and Glycine (200mg) compared to the original, and includes additional beneficial compounds like Valerian and B-vitamins, making it a more effective option for broad stress and mood support.
95 Performance

Sleep Nighttime Powder

youtheory
4.3
(158 ratings)
For sleep support, this product is vastly superior, offering a dramatically higher and clinically effective dose of Glycine (3000mg vs 50mg) along with other potent sleep aids like L-Theanine and Magnesium, making it far more likely to produce noticeable sleep benefits.
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