system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
If Meditation raises GABA levels, does it mean that over time it would lead to downregulation of GABA receptors?

I've read that about supplements that raise GABA. If you keep using them the receptors get downregulated. However woudnt the same have to happen with other GABA-ertic activities?
gpt
If the supplement straight up “raises GABA levels,” then yes. However, there are many molecules that activate GABAa receptors that are not GABA, and these molecules have varying affinity for the receptor, as well as varying degrees of activation of the receptor. For example, alcohol is a full agonist at the GABAa receptor, meaning it binds and completely activates the receptor. Full agonists like alcohol (ethanol), benzos, and barbiturates also cause GABAa receptor downregulation, making them incredibly dangerous to stop cold turkey.
However, if a molecule fully binds to but doesn’t completely activate the receptor, called a partial agonist, then downregulation may not occur or not to the extent of full agonists.