Does Lexapro Increase GABA Levels? A Deep Dive into its Neurological Effects

October 10, 2025 •

3 min read

Over 64% of antidepressants prescribed are SSRIs like Lexapro [1.7.2]. While its primary role involves serotonin, the question remains: Does Lexapro increase GABA levels? The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no, involving indirect pathways and downstream effects.

Quick Summary

Lexapro (escitalopram) primarily works by increasing serotonin, not by directly targeting GABA. However, research suggests that this increase in serotonin can indirectly lead to a rise in GABA levels in certain brain regions.

Key Points

Primary Mechanism: Lexapro (escitalopram) is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) and its primary function is to increase serotonin levels, not directly interact with GABA receptors [1.3.1, 1.3.5].
Indirect GABA Increase: Despite not targeting GABA directly, studies show that SSRI treatment, including with escitalopram, can lead to increased GABA concentrations in the brain [1.2.2, 1.2.7].
Serotonin-GABA Link: The increase in serotonin from Lexapro can stimulate GABA-releasing interneurons, thus enhancing the brain's primary inhibitory system as a downstream effect [1.2.7].
Distinction from Other Drugs: Unlike benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax) that directly activate GABA receptors, Lexapro's effect on GABA is a secondary consequence of its primary serotonergic action [1.6.5].
Therapeutic Role: The normalization of GABA levels, which may be low in conditions like depression and anxiety, is considered part of Lexapro's overall therapeutic benefit [1.4.2, 1.2.2].
GABA's Function: GABA is the brain's main inhibitory neurotransmitter, responsible for producing a calming effect and controlling nerve cell hyperactivity associated with anxiety and stress [1.5.6].
Long-Term Effects: Chronic escitalopram use may promote neurogenesis and increase synaptic density, but can also be associated with emotional blunting and, in some populations, faster cognitive decline [1.7.5, 1.7.4, 1.7.2].

Understanding Lexapro's Primary Mechanism

Lexapro, the brand name for escitalopram, is a highly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) [1.3.1, 1.3.3]. Its main function is to increase the levels of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter, in the brain [1.3.5]. It achieves this by blocking the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin into neurons, making more of it available in the synaptic cleft—the space between nerve cells [1.3.4]. This potentiation of serotonergic activity is what helps alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety [1.3.1]. Lexapro has very low affinity for other receptors, including those for norepinephrine, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), meaning it does not directly bind to or block them [1.3.1].

What is GABA and Why is it Important?

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system [1.5.3, 1.5.6]. Think of it as the brain's braking system. While excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate act as the accelerator, GABA's role is to slow down nerve cell activity, preventing hyperactivity and promoting a state of calm [1.5.6]. Proper GABA signaling is crucial for controlling anxiety, stress, and fear [1.5.6]. Low levels of GABA are associated with a range of conditions, including anxiety disorders, panic disorder, depression, and epilepsy [1.5.4, 1.5.5].

The Indirect Link: How Lexapro Affects GABA

While Lexapro does not directly target GABA receptors, studies indicate an indirect relationship. The increased serotonergic activity caused by Lexapro can influence other neurotransmitter systems. Research, including studies on citalopram (from which escitalopram is derived) and escitalopram itself, has shown that SSRI treatment can lead to increased GABA concentrations in the brain [1.2.3, 1.2.7].

Here's how it might work:

Serotonergic Pathways and GABA Interneurons: The brain's serotonin pathways innervate and interact with GABAergic interneurons (nerve cells that release GABA) [1.2.7]. By increasing serotonin, Lexapro can stimulate these interneurons, leading to an increased release of GABA [1.2.7].
Restoration of Brain Chemistry: In conditions like depression, GABA levels in certain brain areas are often found to be reduced [1.4.2]. Studies on rats subjected to chronic stress showed that escitalopram administration restored decreased GABA concentrations back to control levels [1.2.2]. This suggests that part of Lexapro's therapeutic effect may come from normalizing the brain's neurochemical environment, which includes the GABA system.
Downstream Effects: The brain is a complex, interconnected system. A change in one neurotransmitter can trigger a cascade of downstream effects. The enhanced serotonin neurotransmission from Lexapro is believed to augment and expedite these downstream events, which can include the modulation of the GABAergic system [1.2.2, 1.3.7]. One study concluded that the improvement in GABA levels could be explained by serotonergic neurotransmission enhancing GABAergic neurotransmission, which could potentiate its antidepressant activity [1.2.2].

Comparison of Medications Affecting Neurotransmitters

Different classes of psychiatric medications target different neurotransmitters. Understanding these differences highlights Lexapro's specific role.


Medication Class	Primary Target	Direct GABA Action?	Example(s)
SSRIs	Serotonin (SERT) [1.3.3]	No (Indirect effects) [1.2.2]	Lexapro (escitalopram), Sertraline
Benzodiazepines	GABA-A Receptors [1.8.1]	Yes (Agonist) [1.8.1]	Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam)
Gabapentinoids	Voltage-gated calcium channels [1.8.4]	No (Mimics GABA's effects) [1.5.4]	Gabapentin (Neurontin), Pregabalin (Lyrica)
GABA Analogues	Increase GABA amount [1.8.1]	Yes (Various mechanisms) [1.8.1]	Valproic Acid, Vigabatrin

Long-Term Considerations and Effects

Long-term use of escitalopram can lead to various changes in brain chemistry and function. Studies suggest it can promote neurogenesis (the growth of new neurons) and may increase synaptic density, essentially helping the brain build new connections [1.7.5, 1.7.6]. However, some research also points to potential downsides, such as an emotional 'blunting' effect where sensitivity to both positive and negative rewards is reduced [1.7.4]. Another large-scale study associated long-term use of certain SSRIs, including escitalopram, with a faster rate of cognitive decline in patients who already have dementia [1.7.2]. It is crucial for treatment to be monitored by a healthcare provider to manage both therapeutic benefits and potential adverse effects [1.3.4].

Conclusion

So, does Lexapro increase GABA levels? The evidence points to yes, but indirectly. Lexapro's primary action is to selectively inhibit serotonin reuptake [1.3.1]. This boost in serotonin subsequently enhances the activity of the GABA system, leading to increased GABA levels in certain brain regions and contributing to the drug's overall therapeutic effect on anxiety and depression [1.2.2, 1.2.7]. It does not act on GABA receptors directly in the way that benzodiazepines or other GABA-agonist drugs do [1.6.5]. This distinction is critical for understanding both its effectiveness and its side effect profile compared to other psychotropic medications. For a deeper understanding of GABA's role in the brain, one authoritative resource is Mental Health America [1.5.1].

Frequently Asked Questions

No. While both can treat anxiety, they work differently. Lexapro is an SSRI that increases serotonin levels [1.3.5]. Xanax is a benzodiazepine that directly enhances the effects of GABA, the brain's primary calming neurotransmitter [1.6.5, 1.8.1].

Lexapro's primary mechanism of action is on serotonin [1.3.1]. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. However, by increasing serotonin, it can indirectly lead to an increase in GABA levels in the brain [1.2.2, 1.2.7].

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain. It slows down brain activity by blocking specific signals, producing a calming effect and helping to control fear, anxiety, and stress [1.5.6].

You should always consult your healthcare provider before combining any supplements with prescription medications like Lexapro. Combining them could pose risks and affect your mood or sleep stability [1.6.1].

Common side effects can include drowsiness, changes in appetite, and sexual problems [1.6.3]. In some individuals, particularly young adults, it can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts, so close monitoring by a doctor is essential [1.3.4].

While some neurochemical changes happen acutely, the full therapeutic effects of Lexapro typically take time to develop, often a month or more. This is thought to be because long-term changes, like increased synaptic density and neurogenesis, need time to occur [1.7.5].

GABA is found in some fermented foods like kimchi and miso, as well as green and black tea [1.5.6]. Other foods that may boost its production include brown rice, soy, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, and sprouted grains [1.5.6].