It can also take many sessions before a person notices improvement – therefore it isn’t recommended for those who lack patience. You may also want to read about a combination of Yoga and CBT called “Y-CBT” which has shown benefit in treating symptoms of generalized anxiety. While therapy will certainly not work for everyone, many people will find that it helps just as much as medication. There are also various subtypes of CBT that can be tested including “computerized” CBT and Yoga-enhanced CBT. Regardless of the type of CBT that you try, it should help you at least think about your anxiety differently.
- A foundational principle of mental health and cognitive performance is to supply the body with the best nutrition possible.
- People are no longer willing to accept side effects and long-term dependency as the price for symptom relief.
- To combat these feelings, many turn to medications like Xanax, a widely prescribed drug that offers temporary relief.
- Our content is designed to guide you in making informed health decisions and improving overall well-being.
- Focus on both the in and the out breaths and try to not pay attention to your thoughts.
Ways To Increase Oxytocin Naturally and Lower Stress
Another potent herb is passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), often featured in herbal xanax formulas for its calming, non-sedative properties. Passionflower appears to work by increasing GABA levels naturally, resulting in relaxed yet clear-headed mental states. Valerian root is also commonly used as a natural alternative to Valium and clonazepam due to its mild tranquilizing effects.
The search for a safe, sustainable, and effective natural replacement for Xanax reflects a larger cultural shift toward empowered, integrative health care. People are no longer willing to accept side effects and long-term dependency as the price for symptom relief. Xanax is a widely prescribed benzodiazepine for anxiety and panic disorders.
This article aims to shed light on some of these options, spanning from benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines to the innovative approach of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We’ll also explore the power and benefits of psychotherapy and the holistic options that provide avenues for anxiety relief. By unveiling these alternatives, we hope to empower those seeking relief to examine a variety of paths toward managing anxiety and regaining control over their lives. Natural tools can be helpful during recovery, but professional support is what makes that recovery safe, stable, and long-lasting. If you’re tapering off Xanax or supporting someone who is, a treatment team can offer the medical guidance and mental health care that natural remedies alone can’t provide. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your anxiety management strategy, especially if you’re currently taking medication.
Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation
Nutritional therapy means designing and implementing a corrected diet along with these natural substances to stabilize brain chemistry. Prior to providing these nutritional treatments, lab testing identifies deficiencies, toxicity levels, and other imbalances. Through investigative techniques such as lab testing, we are able to identify the source of the symptoms and then fix them. While herbs play a central role in natural anxiety relief, nutritional supplements also contribute significantly. Magnesium, particularly in the glycinate or threonate forms, helps calm the nervous system by regulating NMDA receptors and supporting GABA synthesis.
Natural Xanax Alternatives to Lower Anxiety and Boost Mood
- It’s primarily used to treat anxiety and panic disorders by depressing the central nervous system.
- One particular study revealed that participants who consumed lemon balm reported improved mood and significantly reduced levels of anxiety (11).
- This counteracts the “fight or flight” stress response driven by the sympathetic nervous system (66).
- Some users find herbal alternatives work best as needed, while others take daily natural xanax pills for ongoing support.
Some users have reported “brain fog” and “dysphoria and anxiety” from Noopept use. One person on Reddit experienced these natural xanax remedies symptoms after taking doses of 10 to 20 mg. Phenibut, also known as beta-phenyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a natural derivative of GABA that swiftly crosses the blood-brain barrier, improving neurological functions. Phenibut is an unscheduled, unregulated drug that has been embraced by the nootropic community in part because of its potential to relieve anxiety. It has been used as a meditation aid because of its ability to restore balance to the hemispheres of your brain. Ashwagandha simply works, and is one of the supplements I regularly take to manage social anxiety.
Xanax: The Most Widely Prescribed Anti-Anxiety Medication
Research shows that taking a high-quality multivitamin can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve general well-being. Vitamin C is also a well-known stress buster that can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms. B complex is a group of 8 essential vitamins that all play a significant role in mental health and the ability to deal with stress. While all vitamins and minerals are essential for ideal mental health, here are a few that are particularly critical if you have anxiety.
One of the most promising natural alternatives to Xanax is the class of herbs known as adaptogens. These botanicals help the body adapt to stressors by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and reducing excessive cortisol production. Ashwagandha, for example, is considered a natural valium substitute due to its ability to lower stress and improve sleep quality. Clinical studies have shown that ashwagandha supplementation can significantly reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. While medication like Xanax has been traditionally prescribed to manage symptoms, many individuals seek natural remedies for relief. Side effects and potential for dependency are primary concerns driving this search.
There are various forms of meditation, including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), transcendental meditation, and loving-kindness meditation. Like physical exercise, the benefits of meditation are often most pronounced with regular and consistent practice. Multiple clinical trials have investigated the effects of specific probiotic strains on mood and anxiety. Researchers have found that certain strains can alleviate anxiety and improve overall mood (57). This bi-directional communication means that the state of your gut can influence your mental health. As research progresses, there’s growing evidence linking adequate B vitamin intake with improved mood and reduced anxiety.
Multiple studies have revealed that lavender oil can effectively reduce generalized anxiety (13). Much like Valerian and Passion flower, lemon balm is believed to positively influence GABA levels in the brain. As a result, it promotes relaxation and reduces overactivity in the nervous system (10).
Quitting Xanax on your own can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to go through it alone. With the right support, it’s possible to feel calm, clear, and in control again—without relying on a pill. I’ve compiled 10+ years of providing therapy into this FREE guide to help you get the tools you need to stop panic, stress, and anxiety.
Each of these offers unique benefits and works in different ways within the body. Valerian root, for example, is often dubbed as nature’s valium, known for its sedative effects which can help calm the overactive minds and improve sleep quality. This ancient herb has been utilized since ancient Greek and Roman times to relieve tension and panic disorders. Unlike fast-acting drugs, natural alternatives to Xanax often take a cumulative approach, strengthening the body’s stress response over time. Adaptogens like holy basil and bacopa monnieri help regulate cortisol, the primary stress hormone, reducing overall anxiety.
In a society increasingly leaning towards organic, chemical-free, and holistic approaches to well-being, interest in natural Xanax alternatives is both understandable and timely. Natural solutions can often be gentler on the body and mind, with fewer side effects. They can also promote overall well-being instead of just simply suppressing symptoms. This, in turn, leads to physical dependence and addiction, where the body becomes reliant on the drug to function normally.