If you're interested in ashwaganda for its effects on GABA in the brain, you may be interested in these other molecules as well. So to compare Ashwagnda to Ben

If you're interested in ashwaganda for its effects on GABA in the brain, you may be interested in these other molecules as well. So to compare Ashwagnda to Benzos/L-Theanine/Apigenin, here's how they work. Ashwaganda - has compounds called withanolides that bind to GABA receptors & increase GABA release. Very similar to how benzos bind to GABA receptors. L-Theanine - increases GABA release Apigenin - increases GABA activity, but more so supercharges the existing GABA activity by binding to other non-GABA receptors. Careful with this one as it can really lower blood pressure though. But before messing with GABA directly, I'd also highly recommend trying out Magnesium Threonate, as this particular Mg can cross the blood brain barrier and has fantastic effects. It's a bit of a do-all as it's a cofactor for about 80% of the chemical reactions in the body, but being able to cross the BBB is a huge benefit to mental health. Regarding plants that are toxins on some level, I believe you're referring to some plants that do have a hormetic effect on the body. In small amounts, they are actually beneficial since they activate a variety of counter mechanisms, so the net effect is more positive than had they not been consumed at all.