Abstract: Disclosed are methods for alleviating, relieving, inhibiting, and eliminating acute or chronic pain in a patient suffering from such pain by contacting epithelial tissue of the patient with exogenous GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid). The epithelial tissue includes skin, nasal mucosa or membranes and other epithelial tissue such as buccal, palatal, sublingual, rectal, vaginal, thecal and the like. The GABA is supplied in compositions such as water, saline, buffered saline, parenteral solutions, lotions, semi-solids such as, gels, creams, pastes, salves, ointments, solids such as impregnated patches, impregnated rub-on solid compositions from which layers of GABA may be rubbed onto the skin, sublingual pills, suppositories and the like.