GABA and glutamate act like an "on" and "off" switch. They work in opposite ways. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain, stopping the chemical messages from passing from nerve cell to nerve cell. Glutamate, on the other hand, is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in your brain, permitting the chemical messages to be carried from nerve cell to nerve cell.

To have a properly functioning brain, a delicate balance must be maintained between the inhibitory effects of GABA and the excitatory effects of glutamate. GABA also works together with another neurotransmitter, serotonin. In fact, many neurotransmitters work together and against each other and must maintain a certain relationship to achieve a properly functioning body and brain.

GABA is actually made from glutamate following a reaction with the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase.