Supplements, Herbs & Medications

Our brain chemistry, biological makeup and physical health plays an important role in our mental and emotional health and our experience of anxiety.

The use of supplements, herbs and medications can be an effective treatment option for anxiety; either as a standalone treatment or used in conjunction with therapy or other practices.

The use of vitamins can help support brain function, improve health and help with vitamin and mineral deficiencies caused by poor nutrition, poor absorption in the body or illness.

The recent shift in public opinion and legal status of marijuana – and the increased popularity of CBD – has increased the research associated with the use of the cannabis plant as a potential option for anxiety relief. CBD in particular has shown to be a possibly effective treatment for pain, depression, insomnia and other ailments.

All of these options (supplements, herbs, medications, etc.) can directly effect our brain chemistry and potentially improve and heal areas that could be causing our anxiety.

Medications, supplements, natural herbs and vitamins can help support us on our path to healing anxiety!

Articles We've Published on Supplements, Herbs & Medications for Anxiety

The 5 Best Herbs for Anxiety: Our Favorite Herbs, Extracts & Adaptogens

Discover our top 5 favorite herbs for anxiety. These anxiety herbs have been proven effective through research and experience. We'll cover what works and the brands we trust.

The Guide To Medications for Anxiety: Everything You Should Know

An in-depth guide to anxiety medications, covering everything you need to know. Different medications for anxiety, how they work, risks vs benefits, and more …

Herbs & Supplements for Anxiety: An In-Depth Guide to Anxiety Supplements

An in-depth guide to the best anxiety supplements, herbs and natural supplements for anxiety and panic attacks backed by professional research. Discover what works…

We Will Be Focusing on Several Key Areas

Supplements

The use of supplements for anxiety has increased profoundly over the last two decades. Many supplements can be surprisingly effective for anxiety and are typically inexpensive. Herbal supplements, vitamin supplements and amino acid supplements all fit under the umbrella of the general term “supplements.” The recent rise in nootropics (otherwise known as “smart drugs”) has provided many supplements that claim to reduce anxiety along with boosting cognitive function. So which supplements do what they claim and which are a complete waste of time and money? We have created a guide that discusses just that.

Herbs

The use of herbs for anxiety goes back hundreds – if not thousands – of years. Herbs can be an effective option for dealing with anxiety. Research has been done on many different herbs over the past few decades, resulting in an improved understanding of how they work, their overall safety and the proper dosage of herbal supplements. Herbs also have the added benefit of being natural rather than man-made. Many herbs have few, if any, side effects and do not come with the risk of physiological addiction the way medications can. Popular herbs and herbal supplements such as Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea and Kava have been shown effective for different types of anxiety.

Medications

Medications can be a somewhat controversial topic. However, there's no denying the ability of certain medications to help those with anxiety where nothing else would. There are several different types/classes of medications used for anxiety. Antidepressants such as Zoloft, Paxil and Lexapro are typical first line treatments. Benzodiazepines – which include the drugs Xanax and Klonopin – can be extremely effective for short term use for anxiety and panic attacks but come with a risk of dependency. Other anxiety medications include Buspirone and Beta Blockers. All medications have their risks and advantages and not every medication will be effective for everyone. That's why we created a guide to medications with everything you should know.

CBD

Cannabidoil – otherwise known as CBD – is an active ingredient of cannabis plants. With states loosening marijuana laws over the past few years, CBD has become widely available and increasingly popular. Research into the medical usage of CBD has also increased and the results have been promising for many different uses including: anxiety, depression, pain, insomnia and inflammation – as well as a number of other health benefits. CBD is not psychoactive like THC and doesn't cause a “high” like marijuana making it a potential treatment option for many people.

Vitamins

Proper nutrition with the necessary vitamins and minerals is essential for our overall mental and physical health. Vitamin deficiency caused by a poor diet, disease or illness, or if our bodies have a hard time metabolizing important vitamins; can lead to a whole host of problems – including increased stress and anxiety. There are several key vitamins and minerals associated with anxiety issues – such as magnesium, B6, B12, folate, and zinc among others. Having too much of a certain vitamin or improper balance of minerals can lead to feelings of anxiety as well.

Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins but they are also part of the building blocks of neurotransmitters as well. Vitamins, minerals and amino acids taken in from food, help to promote the normal production of neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters affect our mood, motivation, energy levels, cognition and more. Certain amino acids are precursors to specific neurotransmitters. The amino acid Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin, for example. Amino acids can be taken directly as supplement as well. Popular amino acids like GABA, 5-Htp and Theanine have been shown effective for improving anxiety.