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Brain Health11 min read

15 Anxiety Supplements to Keep Your Mind and Body Calm

15 Anxiety Supplements to Keep Your Mind and Body Calm In the midst of the pandemic or maybe just life stressors, enrolling in meditation classes or sipping wine may not suffice as a way to agitate our nerves. If that is your case, here is a list of 14 natural herbs that will […]

Dr. Ava Bell-Taylor, M.D.

Board-Certified OB/GYN & Functional Medicine Physician

April 14, 2023
15  Anxiety Supplements to Keep Your Mind and Body Calm

Choosing the right natural anxiety supplements can make a significant difference in how you feel — this guide breaks down exactly what works, what doesn't, and what Dr. Ava Bell-Taylor recommends.

15 Anxiety Supplements to Keep Your Mind and Body Calm

anxiety supplement

<span style="font-weight: 400″>In the midst of the pandemic or maybe just life stressors, enrolling in meditation classes or sipping wine may not suffice as a way to agitate our nerves. If that is your case, here is a list of 14 natural herbs that will aid anxiety. Next time you meet your holistic doctor, don’t forget to ask about herbs that calm anxiety.

What is Anxiety

State anxiety manifests as excessively elevated tension, worry, and particular physical symptoms like high blood pressure. It exists on a continuum of stress, which is unpleasant but can develop to become debilitating. Certain life events or particularly stressful moments trigger anxiety, along with self-doubt and believing there’s overthinking involved with past and future events. 

Anxiety, at its core, is a common and valid form of an individual’s emotion. But when faced with excess quantity, it can be harmful through neural effects such as pathological burnout or depression. Hence, self-regulation of negative stimuli becomes essential, and professional medical guidance should be a go-to option.

What Causes Anxiety

It is a overall accepted in the fields of medicine and psychology that there are a myriad of problems that stem from anxiety itself and that anxiety is itself an explosive condition. Some of these hurdles can easily be identified, and there are many that are more like the tip of the iceberg, which is cut deep. As for the cause of anxiety, those remain dethroned; more so, the origins of anxiety still remain sewn in mystery. 

For example, people tend to get anxious when a life-altering event happens, such as suffering a loved one’s death or losing a job. it is only the Stress that can increase cortisol levels, which makes it very difficult for you to relax. When cortisol level rises, it signals the body to activate a fight or flight response, and this state sometimes becomes nearly impossible to regulate without tiny bits of intervention. 

Certain personality facets, such as being worry-oriented and over-analyzing everything, can trigger anxiety-prone sentiments. Furthermore, some brain chemical imbalances can also be a determining factor in developing an anxiety disorder. Nevertheless, with the right combination of psychotherapy and medication, anxiety can be tamed to a great extent and the symptoms controlled. The nine potential causes of anxiety will be discussed in the following passages.

  1. Genetic Factors

If someone suffers from anxiety or any other mental disorder, there is a predisposition to that condition being passed down in the family. Families with relatives battling mental issues tend to be more susceptible to developing anxiety, which stems from those genetic factors that they are likely to inherit.

  1. Brain Structure and Function

The Most Differences in brain structure and function may also be a cause for anxiety. Someone with anxiety may have more activity in the areas of the brain associated with fear and worry. They may also have less activity in the areas that are responsible for calming and relaxing.

  1. Life Experiences

Some specific life experiences may also provoke anxiety. For instance, there are many people who develop anxiety after a traumatic experience like a car accident or a natural disaster. Other life stressors like a divorce or loss of a job may also trigger anxiety.

  1. Hormone Problems

Problems with hormones while dealing with perimenopause, menopause changes, and andropause anxiety in men are now becoming quite alarming. These life stages bring with them anxiety due to phenomena termed a ‘hormone shift.’ Modern life can feel harrowing and stressful, particularly with extreme shifts in one’s hormone levels.

Keep in mind that physical symptoms aside, issues with one’s hormonal state can lead to problems at an emotional or mental level. Solutions to health issues that stem from hormonal imbalance solutions often lie in consulting a physician to get a multi-faceted approach to the problem. 

Because of this function in preparing the body for action, cortisol is known as the ‘stress hormone.’ Ironically, too much cortisol can also cause anxiety. In fact, it plays quite a fundamental role in assisting us face challenging realities. For some it invokes fear and panic. Chronic stress can keep your cortisol level at a permanently elevated level, leading to extreme chronic health problems over time.

Moreover, it causes not only physical disorders, but also psychological ones like PTSD and depression. The most amazing part of it is that working toward emotional stability will lessen the stress, the muscle tension, that the person has brought with him through life. Positive physical activity/rest, hobbies and nutrition all requiring a central nervous system produced soothing and tamped down level of cortisol.

15 Anxiety Supplements That You Should Know About

This fatty substance, Phosphatidylserine, is produced by the body and covers and protects each cell the body forms. It is especially important for the effective working of nerve cells in the brain, as it assists in transmitting messages between them, which can help the brain to respond to stress in addition to promoting mental relaxation, calmness, sleep, and reducing restless adrenal gland activity.

The temporary state of distress for the body triggered by stress increases secretion from adrenal glands, which leads to feeling anxious and irritated, mood swings, troubled attention, and sleeplessness. Overactive adrenal patients are most likely to be unduly diagnosed with anxiety disorders and sleep and attention disorders.

As guessed, Phosphatidylserine pills report less feeling anxiety effective with supplements and decrease cortisol infusion. In conjunction, people regressed to the mean as the way phosphatidylserine works by moderating how quenched adrenocortical is released to load their body more naturally to deal with stress.

This supplement also causes increased dopamine, serotonin, and other important anti-anxiety agents in the body. Premised on these additional advantages, phosphatidylserine possesses the potential to enable humanity to lower overall stress and sensation of anxiousness. Accordingly, it appears to be difficult to enhance one’s condition during stressful periods. For that reason, it is suggested to take Phosphatidylserine supplements for people with chronic or acute anxiety.

Before we proceed, it would be advantageous to determine if 5 HTP is a good supplement for those of you in search of an easier way. Considering its lack of side effects stemming from tolerances, it seems to bring in a lot of value for those seeking relief from anxiety. Clinical Studies have depicted that 5 HTP works profoundly in serotonin regulation, which on its own helps reduce stress, regulate mood, and elevate overall well-being.

St. John’s wort is an expert who is claimed to treat depression and even anxiety. It is said to have some anti-depressant activity as it can fix the imbalance of neurotransmitters released due to stress. Besides, St. John’s Wort can be beneficial for some stress and anxiety symptoms like tension, fatigue, and irritability. Some studies have shown positive results with the impact of St. John’s Wort on these symptoms. However, there are always some claims that it should not be considered a substitute for psychotherapy or medication. Any attempt to treat depression and anxiety with these natural remedies should be done under the guidance of a physician.

Amino Acids Impacting Anxiety Relief. Notably, the causes of anxiety disorders can range all over the place, but still, an argument can be made that amino acids can help with alleviating them. Currently, the perception regarding amino acids is that they are natural supplements to help manage the symptoms of anxiety rather than diet-specific supplements. While there is a hint of doubt regarding whether these compounds could cure anxiety, it is accepted that they play a role in handling the chemicals concerning fear and modulating the stress response. 

Some studies have demonstrated that chronic consumption of some types of amino acids daily increases the clarity of thought in an individual and decreases anxious and hyperactive thought patterns rationally, which leads to higher motivation and better productivity.

For instance, panic attacks as a result of inadequate consumption of amino acids evidences the need for correct dosage levels in order to ensure general mental health. One of the components that aid in a person’s positive mood is serotonin which is increased in the body by Tryptophan. Likewise, Tryptophan also assists in the production of dopamine, which improves one’s focus and cognitive processes, enabling higher productivity.

Phenylalanine alters the systems within the body that relate to pleasure, and lysine serves to distract one from negative stimuli caused by anxiety. For those who suffer from mental health problems pertaining to anxiety, the five amino acids that can boost mental health the most are tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine, methionine, and lysine. This goes without saying, but an absence of amino acids in the body can lead to panic attacks – amplifying the need to consume amino acids for those looking to positively nourish their mental health.

  1. Studies have shown that passionflower which has been used for centuries has the ability to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Often passionflower is combined with other herbs such as chamomile or lemon balm and is used to reduce anxiety.
  2. Ashwagandha is often mixed with other herbs such as bacopa or ginkgo biloba. Studies suggest ashwagandha efficiently diminishes levels of anxiety. It’s also an herb used in Ayurveda.
  3. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Rhodiola rosea is used with other herbs such as ashwagandha or ginseng. It has also been recorded to have a positive effect on recovering anxiety.
  4. Chamomile, passionflower, and lemon balm are all effective in reducing anxiety and studies support this. Chamomile has also been used for centuries to treat various medical conditions.
  5. Apart from anxiety, lemon balm is said to have a positive effect on many medical conditions and has been for years. It’s commonly mixed with chamomile and passionflower to increase the chances of treating anxiety.
  6. Anxiety levels are reduced by Bacopa monnieri since it is an effective herb commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine. It has shown to be very effective when combined with other herbs such as ashwagandha or kinkgo biloba. Moreover, Bacopa monnieri is known to reduction anxiety levels on it’s own.
  7. Ginkgo Biloba is a herb that is used by practitioners of Traditional Chinese medicine. Ginkgo Biloba, along with other herbs such as Bacopa and ashwagandha work wonders on anxiety disorders and other related ailments. Numerous studies have shown that ginkgo biloba works best when mixed with other plants that are known to address cases if anxiety disorders.
  8. Over the years, Valium infused with valerian root extract has managed to achieve semi-successful results for those who have mental disorders, specifically anxiety. This ingredient has shown to work by itself but is often mixed with other extracts, such as chamomile and lemon balm, in order to maximize the overall result.
  9. For the treatment of users suffering from symptoms related to anxiety, Kava Kava, along with other herbs such as chamomile and lemon balm, has provided success for quite some time. Numerous studies have shown that kava kava is effective in reducing anxiety levels caused by stress and restrained mental state.
  10. The herb chamomile works wonders as a relaxation aid for people suffering from mental disorders such as anxiety. Recently, the herb has shown great results in the reduction of anxiety levels and other related ailments like stress.
  11. Illnesses or Medical Conditions
    People suffering from chronic medical conditions often grapple with worsening anxiety. Anxiety can be a problem for, or be a side effect of, preexisting medical conditions such as thyroid issues, heart problems, and diabetes.
  12. Substance Abuse
    One important area is that of substance abuse, which is a common predisposing factor of anxiety. Anxiety may be caused by alcohol and drugs, separately or in combination. Anxiety is often one of the withdrawal symptoms from alcohol or drugs and can also be a side effect of some substance use.
  13. Caffeine
    Caffeine raises anxiety, which can aggravate symptoms. Coffee and tea, energy drinks, soda, chocolate, and even some medicines contain caffeine. If a person suffers from an anxiety disorder, he/she should cut down or completely stop having caffeine, as it may trigger higher anxiety levels.
  14. Lack of Sleep
    Sleep is a critical remedy to combat anxiety disorder. Moreover, inadequate sleep aggravates existing anxiety symptoms and hence may make you more anxious. Ideally, one should rest for between seven and nine hours a night.
  15. Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies

Anxiety disorder — deficiencies in vitamins and minerals These include B12, magnesium, calcium, and zinc. As these vitamins are responsible for controlling the chemical balance of our brain, they have a huge influence on behaviour, feelings and thoughts. If someone is deficient in these vitamins, it can change the chemistry of the brain so much so that one can feel anxious for no reason at all. To achieve “optimal brain functioning,” people should carefully monitor their vitamin and mineral levels to remove deteriorating anxiety as a factor.

Conclusion

In summary, anxiety supplements can be useful to manage anxiety and panic disorders for people who seek an easy and safe option. While supplements cannot give the professional help and direction that diabetes supplements require, they have significant advantages for all sufferers of the disease. Apart from lessening the episodes of panicking and feeling overwhelmed, the supplements can improve moods and help control frightening physical symptoms. One of the greatest benefits of using supplements is side effects, which tend to be less severe than those of pharmaceutical drugs. Such dietary supplements can be life-transforming for people struggling with chronic anxiety symptoms when utilized with other effective treatment methods.

Dr. Ava Bell-Taylor, M.D.

Board-Certified OB/GYN & Functional Medicine Physician

Dr. Ava Bell-Taylor is a board-certified OB/GYN and functional medicine physician specializing in hormone balance, adrenal health, and whole-body wellness. She is the co-founder of Taylor MD Formulations and Taylor Medical Group in Atlanta, Georgia.

Learn more about Dr. Bell-Taylor
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