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Taurine acts like a brake in the brain, activating the same calming receptors as GABA and glycine.

Taurine added to antipsychotic medication reduced symptoms in young people with first-episode psychosis (FEP).

Animal studies suggest taurine may ease depression, anxiety, and ADHD-like behavior.

Taurine blocks the same NMDA receptor as ketamine, suggesting it may have antidepressant properties.

If you've heard of taurine, it's probably because you saw it listed under the ingredients on the back of an energy drink. But taurine isn't a stimulant. In fact, its effects on the brain are almost the opposite.

Taurine is one of the most abundant amino acids in the brain. But unlike most amino acids, it isn't used to build proteins. Instead, it helps cells balance salt and water, protects them from oxidative stress, and supports mitochondria, which are the energy factories inside our cells. In 2023, researchers reported in Science that blood taurine levels fall with age in humans, and that taurine supplements extended the healthy lifespan of animals. That study triggered a wave of public interest and raised the question: Can taurine help the brain?

The Brain's Brake Pedal

Our brains run on a balance between excitatory “go” signals and inhibitory “stop” signals. Glutamate is the primary accelerator, while GABA and glycine are the main brakes. Taurine is shaped much like GABA and can activate GABA-A and glycine receptors, thereby reducing the firing of nerve cells.

Taurine also........

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