Benzos often help, but there are alternatives to benzodiazepines for anxiety. Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data. The Verified badge on our articles is a trusted sign of the most comprehensive scientifically-based medical content. Placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials have shown this herb to improve symptoms in individuals with anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
Valerian & St John’s Wort for Anxiety
It is primarily used to treat depression but is also prescribed off-label to help with sleep because of its sedating effects lowering your heart rate. Spring Hill Recovery Center provides residential treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health issues. However, some conditions may require treatment beyond our capabilities, and we reserve the right to medically discharge a patient for a higher level of mental health care.
The Risk of Withdrawal from Benzodiazepines
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- Xanax is a commonly prescribed psychiatric medication that can be safe and effective when used as directed by a doctor.
- The scientific consensus has been that these supplements cannot work because GABA molecules are too large to enter the brain, yet some people swear that GABA supplements work for them.
- There are a whole slew of other natural medications that are more indicated for depression such as St. Johns Wort and 5-HTP that I can give you information on if you wish.
- Kava is available as a supplement as kava extract capsules and is currently used by many people for the calming effects and as a treatment for anxiety.
- Our modern lifestyle is rife with nutrient drains including sugar, processed foods, caffeine, stress, toxins, and drugs (both prescription and recreational).
You can try these herbal Xanax remedies to overcome anxiety and stay calm and relaxed. To use this herbal anti-anxiety remedy, mix half a tablespoon of ashwagandha powder in a glass of warm milk. Brahmi acts as a natural adaptogen and soothes the restless and anxious mind. It is believed to work by increasing the secretion of a feel-good hormone called serotonin in the brain. In other words, valerenic acid derivatives are silent antagonists of GABA-A receptors. By reducing REM sleep duration and frequency, Xanax may help users get more deep sleep.
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However, dizziness and dryness of the mouth have been reported in those using this herb. This is another herbal Xanax alternative, also referred to as Indian pennywort. Indians have used it for thousands of years to treat anxiety, wounds, leprosy, lupus, fever, diarrhea, et cetera.
Valerian Root
However, these psychoactive drugs have serious side effects, interact with various prescription medications, and have a high potential for addiction and drug abuse. If you have been prescribed benzodiazepines and are considering natural alternatives, it’s crucial not to stop taking your anxiety medication without consulting a healthcare provider. Maybe you want to get treatment but you’re scared that treating anxiety with prescription drugs like Xanax can result in long-term negative side effects. It works by enhancing GABA, a neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity and produces a calming effect. In contrast, Xanax alternative medicine includes the use of natural remedies that can be derived from a broad range of different types of foods, herbs, vitamins, nutrients, minerals, and supplements. Nutritional therapy means designing and implementing a corrected diet along with these natural substances to stabilize brain chemistry.
Lifestyle changes can go a long way in managing short-term anxiety or stress. Ativan is a benzodiazepine drug that is also an anti-anxiety medication. It has strong muscle-relaxing, sedative, and calming effects, so it is sometimes used as a pre-anesthetic before surgery. In summary, natural alternatives offer a multifaceted approach to handling anxiety and stress.
Magnesium supplementation can also support immune function and reduce oxidative stress, imperative for overall health and longevity 12. Numerous studies show that L-theanine can simultaneously enhance mental acuity and reduce stress 6. From other anxiety medications and holistic treatments to therapeutic approaches, Talkspace makes accessing complete mental health support easy. Chamomile, a commonly used natural remedy for anxiety, is known for its calming properties.
- Most prebiotic foods are vegetables, but bananas and chocolate are two prebiotic foods that also make healthy “comfort food” snacks.
- Yoga works by improving your awareness of the inner self through conscious breathing.
- Not only does l-theanine relieve anxiety by increasing levels of GABA, but it also brings about a relaxed brainwave state similar to that experienced during meditation.
- Probiotics can help restore balance to the gut microbiome, reducing inflammation and its detrimental effects on your mental health (55).
- As the popularity of yoga has spread globally, scientific studies have begun to validate its effectiveness as a tool for optimal mental health.
These neurotransmitters play a pivotal role in relaxation, mood regulation, and overall brain function (39). Research shows that combining magnesium with vitamin B6 can enhance the absorption and effectiveness of magnesium. And some studies suggest this combination can be particularly effective in alleviating anxiety (36-37). Lastly, chronic inflammation is often linked to anxiety and mood disorders, and chamomile’s potent anti-inflammatory properties can help counteract this (31).
Xanax Should Not Be Mixed With Alcohol and Other Drugs
The main bioactive constituents in ashwagandha are withanolides, notably withaferin-A. Since GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, an increase in GABA receptor activity elicits anticonvulsant, hypnotic, muscle-relaxant, and ataxic effects. The effects of GABA are essentially the inverse of caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system (and may potentiate anxiety). Alprazolam is an allosteric modulator of the benzodiazepine-GABA-A-chloride ionophore receptor complex expressed in neurons of the limbic, thalamic, and hypothalamic regions of the brain. An “allosteric modulator” is a molecule that binds to a receptor at a locus distinct from the endogenous ligand and enhances or reduces the affinity of that ligand for the receptor. In the case of Xanax, binding to the GABA-A receptor complex increases the receptor’s affinity for GABA, the endogenous ligand.
Nature Therapy Alternatives to Benzodiazepines for Anxiety
Many of the following remedies and holistic coping techniques may help with anxiety. Several herbal treatments and over-the-counter or holistic medicines are natural xanax alternatives believed to help manage anxiety symptoms. Some of the commonly cited herbal options are chamomile, valerian root, lavender, and kava.
