How does GABA work?

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    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    GABA functions by binding to the GABAA and GABAB receptors in the brain, which influence various effects. Additionally, GABA is present in nonneuronal tissues outside of the brain, such as the pancreas and immune cells, and its mechanisms in these areas are still under investigation.

    GABA exerts its various effects by binding to GABAA and GABAB receptors in the brain. GABA is also found outside the brain in nonneuronal tissues, including the pancreas, certain immune cells (e.g., lymphocytes), and the gastrointestinal tract. How GABA works outside the brain is an area of ongoing research.[1][2][3][4][4]