Last updated on November 27th, 2019…
I’ve had many friends deal with problems related to Xanax addiction.
While growing up, taking “bars” (slang term for Xanax bars) was a massive problem in my hometown.
And, while I see the value of using Xanax for severe medical conditions in the short-term, I generally believe that this prescription medication can cause a lot of harm in the long-term.
So, this article reveals my top 10 natural alternatives to Xanax, for people who would prefer to take a more holistic path to reducing anxiety symptoms.
Contents
Why use natural alternatives to Xanax?
Xanax is a benzodiazepine or “benzo” that helps some people deal with anxiety symptoms in the short-term. It is a valuable prescription medication that absolutely serves a purpose.
However, Xanax and similar benzos are extremely addictive, and can’t always be relied upon as a long-term solution for anxiety issues.
So, if you’ve already spoken with a medical professional, and discovered that using natural alternatives to Xanax is a good choice for your anxiety condition or panic disorder, then this article may help you narrow down the best natural anxiety remedies to use.
What to consider before using natural Xanax alternatives
You should always speak with a doctor before coming off of any prescription medication.
Xanax is a notoriously addictive, and in many cases dangerous prescription drug.
Please take the time to speak with a medical professional if you currently take Xanax or any other benzodiazepines.
This article is intended for people who don’t currently use Xanax, but are searching for safe, natural and effective alternatives to Xanax.
The top 10 natural alternatives to Xanax
Ready to see the full list of natural ingredients, herbs and supplements that you can use to genuinely reduce your anxiety symptoms?
OK, here we go…
Natural Alternative 1. Rhodiola rosea
Thorne Research Rhodiola (Amazon) is one of the best alternatives to Xanax available.
Most anxiety sufferers experience great benefits from supplementing with Rhodiola rosea.
This is because Rhodiola rosea is a powerful adaptogen that helps your brain adapt to stress. So, this supplement can actually lower (or heighten) your body’s level of cortisol depending on what your body needs.
Isn’t that amazing?
Rhodiola rosea ultimately helps your brain adapt to your life’s unique circumstances.
Whether you’re experiencing heightened mental pain, physical health issues, or problems strictly related to anxiety – there’s a strong chance that Rhodiola rosea can help you.
Some people even consider Rhodiola rosea to be one of the best natural alternatives to Vyvanse, as well. So as you can probably imagine, this 100% natural ingredient carries a lot of value in the world of natural health.
Natural Alternative 2. N-A-C
N-A-C Sustain is a supplement that I frequently recommend on this website because it can genuinely help sufferers of anxiety and ADHD.
N-A-C (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) is a powerful antioxidant amino acid and precursor to glutathione.
And, people typically use N-A-C because glutathione lowers your oxidative stress, detoxifies your liver, and reduces the anxiety symptoms that you experience. N-A-C is even administered in hospitals when people overdose on acetaminophen (Tylenol).
There are many things that researchers still don’t fully understand about how the human body works. So, there’s a lot of research happening because of the amazing connection between your liver and the amount of mental illness that you face. If you don’t believe me, just do some research on the connection between liver disease and mental health.
N-A-C essentially detoxes your liver, helps your body eliminates toxins, and potentially even helps to reduce symptoms of mental illness.
However, it’s also worth noting that some medical professionals believe taking too much N-A-C can be a bad thing. They believe this because taking high doses of N-A-C can trick your body into thinking that you’re experiencing a shortage of oxygen (N-A-C helps people with lung issues breathe more easily for this reason).
But, for the most part, the medical consensus seems to be that using low doses of N-A-C occasionally is perfectly OK.
I take N-A-C Sustain a few times per month to detoxify heavy metals from my system, and lower my anxiety symptoms.
Natural Alternative 3. Valerian root
Now Foods Valerian Root (Amazon) is one of the most popular alternatives to Xanax because of its ability to help most people fall sleep, deal with feelings of anxiety, and overcome angry emotions.
Yes, valerian root is most commonly used as a sleep aid. But, it serves so many other purposes, that this is a truly amazing natural herb.
You can actually consider this supplement to work as a “mild sedative” because of its calming and light tranquilizing effects. Take advantage of valerian.
It’s very soothing for people with anxiety.
Natural Alternative 4. CBD Oil
CBD oil is a natural anti-anxiety ingredient that comes from the cannabis plant (marijuana or hemp).
The legality of CBD oil has been confusing, to say the least.
However, CBD oil that contains less than 0.3% THC content is approved for use in the U.S. as a result of the Farm Bill Act (signed under President Obama’s administration).
This means that high-quality medicinal CBD oil isn’t supposed to get you high in the least bit. Instead, CBD oil provides most people with excellent anti-anxiety benefits.
One study shows that CBD oil may treat Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) due to CBD oil’s “effects on activity in limbic and paralimbic brain areas”.
CBD oil can also be used to treat conditions like cancer, diabetes, epileptic disorders and various other serious conditions. Even people with autism are turning to CBD oil because of its exceptional medical properties.
I had a chance to try pure CBD oil from Colorado – and it was highly-effective at treating my anxiety symptoms.
It’s a truly powerful ingredient. And, I highly recommend that you try CBD oil.
Natural Alternative 5. Ashwagandha
Organic India Ashwagandha (Amazon) is one of my favorite anxiety-reducing supplements.
Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen that helps your brain adapt to chronic stress, and overcome anxiety symptoms.
Clinical studies have even compared ashwagandha to anti-anxiety medications like lorazepam (Ativan) in terms of effectiveness.
Ashwagandha has also been shown to produce hormone-balancing and anti-depressant benefits. So, this is a powerful natural ingredient that can help anxiety sufferers in many different ways.
I use ashwagandha nearly every day, because I personally continue to feel amazing benefits from this natural herb. And, I think that you’ll experience similar awesome benefits from using ashwagandha, too.
Natural Alternative 6. L-Theanine
Life Extension L-Theanine (Amazon) is an awesome ingredient that you can use to instantly feel much more at ease.
While I normally get my daily dose of L-theanine by drinking green tea – it’s sometimes more convenient to take L-theanine in capsule form.
The anti-anxiety sensation of L-theanine is a little bit difficult to describe.
But, I’ll just say that taking L-theanine immediately makes it easier for me to get work done, be productive, and socialize.
I still have a lot of trouble with racing thoughts, and there’s something about L-theanine that temporary puts my mind to rest. I suppose I feel very “at peace” when I use this supplement. It’s a very good one to try.
Natural Alternative 7. PharmaGABA-250
PharmaGABA-250 (Amazon) is the only natural source of GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) available.
And, medical professionals tend to agree that supplementing with GABA once or twice a day is an excellent way to naturally relax the brain.
In my experience, I like to use GABA just before going to bed, because it can make me a little bit tired.
This can work great if your anxiety sometimes prevents you from falling asleep.
Natural Alternative 8. Magnesium citramate
Magnesium Citramate (Amazon) is a supplement that I frequently write about on this website, because I use magnesium citramate just about every single night.
Magnesium is amazing for sleep, cardiovascular health, athletic performance, and of course – anxiety symptoms.
I still talk about the first night that I took magnesium citramate , because I had the best night of sleep of my life.
Using magnesium citramate ultimately makes your brain feel a little bit “warm” and comfortable. It’s a truly amazing natural mineral that just about anyone can benefit from.
It’s also worth noting that magnesium deficiency is a major problem across the United States. So, you may want to take magnesium just for the sake of your general health.
Natural Alternative 9. 5-HTP
Jarrow 5-HTP (Amazon) is a simple and useful ingredient for anxiety, because it acts as a precursor to serotonin.
And, serotonin is one of your most important brain chemicals, as it can play a major role in your mood and overall level of happiness.
Some studies have shown that having a serotonin deficiency may lead to problems related to anxiety and depression.
This is why some medical professionals recommend using 5-HTP to improve serotonin levels, and potentially treat some cases of anxiety and depression naturally.
However, you should be aware of the possible interactions that 5-HTP can have while using certain medications. So of course, make sure to use 5-HTP under the guidance of a physician.
Natural Alternative 10. Probiotics
Life & Food Ultra Probiotic-50 (Amazon) is a highly-rated probiotic that you can use to quickly cleanse your gut, and drastically improve your anxiety symptoms.
People generally don’t believe me when I claim that using probiotics can lower the amount of anxiety that you face.
I didn’t believe it either, at first.
But, once you realize that your gut health is linked with your mood, emotions, and even the decisions that you make on a daily basis – that’s when things start to make a lot more sense.
To put it simply, your gut health is directly connected to how you feel on any given day. This is especially true when it comes to the amount of anxiety that you experience.
So, try using a high-quality probiotic on a daily basis, and see how your mood stabilizes. You can thank me later.
What about using phenibut as an alternative to Xanax?
Phenibut is a common recommendation for people who suffer from anxiety.
This is because phenibut is an extremely potent and effective compound that temporarily eliminates practically all feelings of anxiety. Phenibut sounds extremely seductive, I know.
However, the side effects and withdrawal symptoms of phenibut can be absolutely brutal. This is well-documented all over the internet.
Side Effects of Phenibut
There are many stories of people who thought that they could get away with using phenibut occasionally. But, slowly but surely, many people who use phenibut use it more and more often. This leads to the same sort of dependency and addiction problems that come with Xanax.
So, it’s for this reason that I generally don’t recommend that you use phenibut for anxiety.
Side note: The video on phenibut that I posted above tells a different story. The man in the video paints a positive picture of phenibut. Then, he explains the risks of using phenibut at around the 5:00 mark. I think it’s important to hear both sides of the argument. But, I’ll stick to my guns, and advise against using phenibut.
What about using kratom as an alternative to Xanax?
Kratom is another common recommendation for dealing with the terrible pains of anxiety.
This is because kratom is a natural plant from Southeast Asia that comes from the same family as coffee.
In a previous article, I wrote about the potential benefits of using kratom for ADHD. You can check out that article if you like, or just read this short summary:
Overall, I believe there’s a chance that kratom is highly-effective for treating symptoms related to severe cases of anxiety and ADHD.
However, there are also some serious problems related to kratom usage that make me hesitant to recommend the herb.
Kratom Usage Issues
First of all, kratom is littered with legal issues at the moment. There’s an ongoing battle regarding kratom’s legal status in the USA (and many other countries). I can’t make recommendations that conflict with the law. So, that’s one reason why I’m hesitant to recommend the herb as a natural anxiety remedy (at this point in time).
Additionally, while kratom may be beneficial for anxiety, depression and similar mental illnesses – I’m a firm believer that there’s no such thing as a “free biological lunch” (I stole this term from Tim Ferriss).
In other words, if you use kratom to help with your anxiety symptoms, there’s a chance that kratom will negatively impact you in other ways that are much more subtle and difficult to notice.
For example, many people who use kratom report that it lowers their testosterone, which is a common problem that’s experienced by most opiate users.
So, if kratom can have a negative effect on your testosterone and other hormones – that’s like solving one problem (anxiety), and creating a new set of problems (hormone imbalances).
Overall, I definitely see the massive potential benefits of using kratom as an alternative to Xanax. But, I also see too many potential problems with the herb to recommend it at this time.
Conclusion
There’s probably no single supplement on the market that works as strongly and effectively as Xanax.
But, you can come pretty close to reducing the vast majority of your anxiety symptoms naturally.
Because, when you make the decision to live a complete healthy lifestyle that consists of nutritious food, awesome relationships, natural ingredients, good sleep habits and exercise – that’s when you’re most likely to experience the powerful anti-anxiety benefits that Mother Nature has to offer.
I wish you the best of luck on your journey towards eliminating anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety is a tough condition to deal with. But, anxiety can absolutely be managed to a point where your life is filled with fun, happiness and freedom.
How many of these pills do you take together or do you take them on different days? I am wanting to get the best results possible but I don’t want to take to many each day if your not supposed to? What is your routine each day with these pills? I want a more natural approach to my anxiety.
Hi Autumn,
Thank you for your comment.
I’m kind of a unique case, because I literally use ALL of these supplements at different times throughout the week. You definitely don’t have to use all of these supplements. But, I’ll give you an idea of my routine so that it hopefully helps you out…
Morning – Rhodiola and ashwagandha for energy, plus some probiotics, and maybe L-Theanine (for even more energy)
Night – CBD oil for relaxation, magnesium citrate for anxiety reduction, and maybe some valerian root or GABA if I really need to chill
I take NAC a few times per week to detox my liver, but I only use NAC sparingly, because there isn’t enough research available at the moment to justify taking it everyday (just my opinion).
I also take 5-HTP as needed, whenever I feel like I need a boost of serotonin (if I’m feeling a little blue)
A lot of this is about experimentation and seeing what works best for your lifestyle. You definitely DON’T have to take 10 supplements at once. Just start small, and listen to your body.
Let me know if you have any more questions!
Hi,
I’ve been on Klonopin for about 8 years now. I know that I will have to come down slowly under my doctors supervision, but after that, I was wondering if you’ve ever tried any multi ingredient supplements. I see that there are a lot of stress, calming, anxiety supplements on the market that say they contain almost all of the above ingredients. But they also don’t mention how much of each ingredient is in them. I’m basically wondering because I’m worried that buying each supplement individually will be pretty costly.
Hi Nikki,
Thank you for your comment.
I definitely understand wanting to use just a few supplements rather than a bunch of them.
There are some multi-ingredient supplements that work very well, but I would recommend sticking with the trusted brand names:
Thorne Research, Jarrow Formulas, Rainbow Light, and Life Extension are usually the top brands that I recommend (the supplement industry is unregulated, so I like to play it safe, and stick with quality manufacturers).
For your situation, I recommend just searching Amazon for “Rainbow Light” and picking up a couple of their multi-ingredient products, because I know that Rainbow Light uses many food-based ingredients in their supplements.
You could do Rainbow Light Women’s One (general multivitamin) and Rainbow Light Mental Calm if you like. Those two are solid.
However, some supplements do usually work best when taken individually. Ashwagandha and rhodiola are the two that I’d recommend using individually (especially for energy support and hormone balance).
Just let me know if you have any other questions.
I wish you the best of luck coming off of klonopin.
Thank you so much!
I’m on Klonopin too and I find ashwagandha is working really well with it. If not better than Klonopin.
Could you please recommend trustworthy sources for phenibut? And should dosage be based on weight? I weigh 127 lbs and I’m 5′ 9″. Thank you for your insight!
Hi Pamela,
I appreciate your comment, but the thing is that I can’t recommend phenibut at all. I don’t believe that anyone with anxiety should be messing with phenibut. It’s too much of a slippery slope with the potential for horrible addiction and other nasty side effects.
I just want for people to become educated about phenibut – that’s all.
Of course, if you believe otherwise, then you’re welcome to do your own research. Just make sure to stay smart, and be safe.
I got anxiety and i tried phenibut and it didnt do nothing
My daughter is 19 and has always had trouble with anxiety (unfortunately I passed that horrible trait on to her). She is now a sophomore in college with a very heavy work load, boyfriend troubles plus being far from home. We are looking for a natural supplement to help her racing thoughts and lack of sleep. She has such a hard time sleeping and staying asleep if she does. Which supplement would you recommend to start with?
Hi Ann,
Thank you very much for your comment.
Because it seems like your daughter is having trouble with a heavy work load, boyfriend troubles, and missing home – it seems like she needs to address the *root cause* of her issues first.
She may want to work with a therapist or another therapy-oriented professional to sort out some of those very normal issues that ALL young ladies face.
Once your daughter accomplishes that, she might want to experiment with ashwagandha and magnesium citrate, because you can feel the anti-anxiety effects of these two supplements almost immediately.
I hope this helps you and your daughter!
I think she’ll be perfectly OK – and she mostly just needs to work through some totally normal issues that many people face!
thank you so much for your advice! I was leaning towards the therapist route as well and trying to get her some sleep in the meantime.
Thanks again and if I need any further consult on vitamin supplements i will definitely be back to this page. Very informative.
Be well
You’re very welcome Ann. Yes, talking with a good therapist can be life-changing.
I also forgot to mention that most universities have free therapy and counseling services available on campus, so that’s another option that’s worth investigating too.
I personally don’t believe anxiety, with physical symptoms, can be “talked” out of a person with therapy. When someone is suffering from physical symptoms of a panic attack or generalized anxiety, that make you always question your physical well being, no amount of “talking it over” with some therapist, is going to bring about much relief.
I had terrible insomnia for years. While I generally fall asleep no problem I wake up three hours or so later and never get back to sleep. I’ve been prescribed Trazodone and a number of other sleeping pills over the years in various combinations and they never or rarely worked. The only thing that has given me good sleep has been Xanax, which my doctor won’t give me long-term understandably. She gave me gabapentin to try and it didn’t work either. Could you suggest some of the above for me to try, individually or in combination? Thanks!
Hi Patti. Thanks so much for your comment.
I’m sorry to hear about your insomnia. In the stressful environment that we live in today, insomnia is surprisingly common (unfortunately).
If gabapentin hasn’t worked for you, then it could be tricky to find an alternative that works. Have you talked to your doctor about this? First, please consult with your doctor before taking any supplements (since you’ve been on medication in the past).
If you aren’t taking any medication at all (as of today) – then I would personally try something like valerian root and magnesium citrate. Valerian + magnesium citrate is one of the most common “sleeping stacks” that’s recommended for insomnia.
I personally take magnesium citrate every night and experience great results. I take valerian root as-needed, when I know that I need some deep sleep (like after a long day of work).
I genuinely hope this helps you Patti.
Remember to talk with a naturopath for the best results, since a doctor will be in the best position to make personal recommendations based on your medical history, lifestyle, and habits etc.
Thanks! I’ll give a naturopath a try. All my efforts have been attempted with my family doctor, combined with my dabbling with supplements over the years. My husband thought I should see about trying a higher dose of gabapentin, since I was only prescribed 100 mg., but I haven’t been back to ask the doctor. It’s just frustrating, since I know that whatever the Xanax does is what my brain must need to turn the sleep switch on, and I just can’t get it replicated. Thanks again for your suggestions!!
Hi Patti, I’m similar to you in terms of both the wakefulness and what’s worked for me. I know it hasn’t been very long yet, but have you found anything that works yet or gotten helpful recommendations from a naturopath? I’m desperate for something, too, and have tried a few of the above with limited results. I thought magnesium (malate) was helping, but it didn’t last, for me at least. Both magnesium and valerian are better than most other natural alternatives for me, though, but only relatively speaking…
If you cant sleep, buy a cycle, do it for 30 mins before dinner. Come home, shower, eat & you will go to sleep, or try 2 or 3 spoons of honey aftet dinner. Bye
Hi Patti, have you tried melatonin it’s not only a sleep aid but a very powerful antioxidant. If you are going or have gone through menopause the fluctuations in hormones can have a lot to do with you not getting a good night sleep. I help women everyday in my line of work. I do not believe in covering up the symptoms with big pharma meds. I work to get at the root cause and correct the underlying issue. It’s life changing. Do your research and be your own best advocate.
Hi Sheila I’m having hormonal imbalance how can I get a hold of you I would like to get to the root of things before trying different supplements
I’ve suffered with OCD since I was 15, now 37, but learned to live with it and never medicated. Within the last 5 years I’ve been getting 1-4 week spells of really bad dizziness and neck tension. Every couple months I’ll wake up in panic, but I don’t have panic attacks. The dizziness makes my blood pressure rise and Xanax is the only thing that will reduce my dizziness or blood pressure. I don’t want to take Xanax or any other drug. Do you have any advice for a natural solution?
Hey Josh. Thank you very much for your comment. And I’m sorry to hear about your dizziness and neck tension.
Your situation sounds severe enough to warrant a visit to a naturopathic doctor. I recommend visiting with a Naturopathic Doctor or an Orthomolecular Physician.
I really wish that I could give you some advice, but it sounds like you’ll need blood tests and professional assistance.
Luckily, the human body has an amazing way of healing itself once you find the right tools (whole foods, exercise, and proper supplementation).
I wish you the best of luck going forward Josh.
Fellow ADHD sufferer here. I had been thinking of trying phenibut or kratom but now am hesitant after reading this post. Honestly, though, anything has to be better than continuing to turn to alcohol to shut my brain off and reduce anxiety at night, especially when I wake in the middle of the night after only 3 hours of sleep…Xanax works, of course, but my doctor doesn’t agree with prescribing it. This page is super helpful, but I wish more things worked for me that weren’t potentially addictive.
I do have an actual question: I thought that these would all have a calming effect, but you mentioned in an earlier reply that you take some of them in the morning, for energy (theanine, rhodiola, and ashwaghanda). My main issue is anxiety that interferes with both evening relaxation and sleep. Would taking any of those three supplements at night keep me awake, since you say they’re energizing? I’m confused.
Hi Izzy. Thank you very much for your comment.
I’m really sorry to hear about your situation. I’ve been in a VERY similar situation before.
The thing about kratom is that it DOES have some potentially powerful benefits. It very well may work for you. I just had to make it clear that there are obviously some risks/downsides involved with using kratom. In your situation, using kratom could actually be safer than using alcohol.
As for phenibut, I can’t recommend that substance at all because it’s just way too addictive.
Yes if you want evening relaxation and sleep, then you’ll want to stick with magnesium, valerian, and CBD oil.
Ashwagandha, theanine, and rhodiola are all stimulating as well as anxiety-fighting. So, I recommend only using those in the morning, or not at all (since you need nighttime relaxation).
I really hope this helps you Izzy 🙂
If you decide to use kratom, just keep an eye on federal and state U.S. laws, because kratom may or may not be banned soon.
I have ADHD and some anxiety and I take Theanine to relax and help me sleep.
The rhodiola is stimulating I will agree
I take the ashwagandha a few hours before bed since it energizes me for those few hours then helps me relax so I can sleep.
Awesome Cherice. Really happy to hear you’re experiencing positive benefits from theanine, rhodiola, and ashwagandha. Sounds like you’re doing amazing.
Hello,
About a year ago back in September 2016 I was told by my doctor that I might be hiv positive. After another text it was negative and just to be extra sure I did another test with another doctor at Kaiser and he also said it was negative. This false alarm really screwed me over. I have always been a anxious person with some anger issues…but right after this false alarm my symptoms of anxiety got worse to the point where I feel like I am walking on a mattress…the ground seems to sink below my feet … something like when you go up on an elevator and drops suddenly…it’s a sensation that comes and goes…and I have had this for a long time now. I did a few searched online with similar symptoms people have been having and it all links back to anxiety.
Do you think some of these supplements can help relieve physical symptoms of anxiety? If so, which one would you recommend?
Thank you
Hi Diego,
That’s great to hear that you tested negative.
I imagine that you’re dealing with some kind of PTSD, which may be even more severe than anxiety.
I would definitely recommend visiting with a therapist or another medical professional who can give you some real assistance.
This seems to be more of a mental obstacle that you’ll need to work through with therapy rather than supplements.
I wish you the best of luck man!
Thank you for your comment. I am definitely going to be seeing a therapist this coming year. It’s just another obstacle/test in life that I will get through.
I wish you the very best of luck also! You got this!!
Hi – I am looking for something to take at night to relax me so that I can sleep. I get caught up in a cycle of worrying that I will not be able to sleep (which then causes me not to sleep. Ugh!). If I take a xanax (rarely take) or have a glass of wine, this worry goes away and I sleep great. However, I want a more natural remedy. It’s strictly anxiety so I don’t need something to knock me out, just need something to really relax me every night. Which of these products do you suggest I try first? I’ve heard great things about CBD oil and may want to try that. How many drops work for you to alleviate your anxiety? Please let me know what you suggest. Thanks!
Hey Dee. Thanks so much for your comment. While nothing seems to work quite as well as Xanax – I agree that CBD oil is probably your next best bet for achieving better sleep at night.
It depends on the brand of CBD oil that you take, but with NuLeaf Naturals (the brand that I currently use), I take anywhere from 7 to 10 drops whenever I want to relax.
Just let me know if you have anymore questions!
Thank you. I just bought the NuLeaf brand and will give it a shot!
You’re welcome Dee. I really hope it works for you (I have a good feeling that it will).
Make sure to let me know how it works for you.
You can comment again on this article, or feel free shoot me an e-mail.
Hi there, first off-thank you SO much for taking the time to write this article. I’m beginning to feel dependent on Xanax as a “quick fix” to calm down, and don’t ever like the feeling of being dependent on something. My main question and I apologize if you’ve already addressed it, is do you recommend taking each of these one at a time to “assess” the effects they have and continue to add? My only concern is if I take all of them concurrently I won’t know how to differentiate which does what.
Hi Danae. You’re very welcome for the article!
I would love to help you out, but I can’t give medical advice (I’m not a doctor), so you’re going to have to ask your doctor about this particular question.
I wish you the best of luck going forward.
Hi!
Out of all these natural options which one do you recommend taking for “social anxiety”? every time I have to do a presentation in college I always feel like I’m having an anxiety attack; heart racing, shaking, can’t catch up my breath and forget most of my material. Help Please!!!
Thanks!
Hey Kathy,
That’s an awesome question.
It’s really common to feel anxious when you have college presentations. I was the same exact way.
This is mostly mental, and you’ll feel less anxious after lots of repetition. The more presentations you give, the more confident you’ll feel. I recommend joining Toastmasters.
I don’t even think that you really need to take supplements to overcome the type of anxiety that’s associated with giving presentations, because it’s such a common problem.
But, if you need something small to take the edge off, then I recommend CBD oil because you might get a small dopamine boost that will make you feel happier and a lot more calm.
Thank you very much for you advice, I never heard about Toastmaster and will definitely look into it. I also just ordered the CBD oil and will give it a try.
You’re very welcome Kathy. I’m happy I could help.
Definitely look into Toastmasters, and enjoy the CBD oil. I think these two things will help you the most.
I’ve had Tinnitus now for almost two years and it causes quite a bit of anxiety plus trouble sleeping. I’ve been to quite a few ENT’s and they either say just try to live with it or they want to put me on Efexor, Ativan or Xanax which I don’t want to do, I would like to take something that is natural that can help me stay calm and relaxed so my Tinnitus wouldn’t be such a burden on my everyday life.My concentration level has been really bad since I got Tinnitus. Would you have any natural alternatives I could try? I really appreciate your help.
Hi Kirk.
Tinnitus is a huge pain, so I know how difficult it can be to live with tinnitus. My mother has tinnitus, so I’m constantly looking for something that can help her as well.
Unfortunately, I don’t know of any legitimate vitamin or herbal supplement that can actually help with tinnitus.
I think the best that you can do is entertain the idea that your tinnitus can go away one day.
Please watch this video to understand the importance of changing your beliefs in order to change your health:
https://vimeo.com/106390062
This video is called “The Cure Is…” and it’s the most important health video that I’ve personally ever seen. Please watch it. It could help you, and change your life.
I wish you the best of luck Kirk.
The only time I suffer from anxiety is at night. It usually hits me close to bed time. There have been times where my anxiety was so bad at night, I was unable to get to sleep or to stay asleep all night. (Many bouts of insomnia) Would any of these help me and if so, which would be the best choice or choices? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
Hi Jennifer. Thank you for leaving your comment on here!
Your anxiety seems severe enough to warrant the advice of a professional.
I want you to feel good and get some awesome sleep at night…so please chat with a healthcare provider who can help you out.
Thanks again.
I agree with you on Phenibut. At first I loved it because it helped me with my chronic insomnia.
It did leave me groggy the next day though and even though I only took it a few times a week I ended up with horrible depression that affected my job.
Now unemployed and anxious (partly because I have MCS and fibromyalgia and afraid I won’t be able to handle trying a new job).
I’ve tried rhodiola-a little too stimulating for me, theanine-helpful but need 200mg, ashwaghanda-keep trying it but always makes me feel a little odd, although they were standardized products which may be worse than the whole herb, gotu kola-you should add this one because it is helpful, CBD Oil-I tried the caps for The Stanley Brothers in Colorado but it doesn’t seem to do much for me, Calmbiotic-helps for a few hours it seems then wears off, Bach Flower Remedies-I tried 3 that seemed to match up with my symptoms and they do seem to help stop my brain from racing for a little while, Magnesium Glycinate-take at night helps a little.
Things I’ve tried that didn’t work at all-Zembrin, Terry Naturally Anxiocalm, Tryptophan
I’m going to try a tDCS Device next (Omni Stimulator) as reviews show very positive results.
Thank you for your awesome comment Steve. I always appreciate it when readers (like yourself) talk about what has worked and what hasn’t worked.
I will try to add Gotu Kola to this list when I can, because I’ve heard plenty of good things about it, just like you said.
Good luck with getting a grip on anxiety Steve. It sounds like you’re a pretty persistent dude, so I’m sure you’ll eventually find something that works for you.
Thanks Stefan.
The Omni Stimulator didn’t do it for me so I returned it.
I’ve pretty much exhausted the natural remedies so just in order to get me working again I decided to go back on remeron (mirtazapine). It worked well for me 10 years ago while job hunting and tapered off once I settled into my job.
I researched the best generic brands (there is a huge difference as I found out the hard way before) and decided to try Teva brand 15Mg.
I will still try Organic India Ashwaghanda and will take Theanine and CBD Oil (not the capsules this time) as needed.
Sorry to hear about the Stimulator not working for you!
But yes keep your options open and see if anything else works for you. You never know!
CBD oil especially is known to be effective for many people 🙂
Thank you for this nice article on natural solutions. I am replying for my daughter, she is 20 and currently tapering herself off of Klonopin and Vynanse. She has been taking both now together for about 2 months and her body can not stabilize either. She has tapered off Klonopin and a stimulant before and she knows how hard this will be. She is actually on a low dose of both. My question is, she is starting a new SSRI, Prozac. do any of the above supplements interfere with this medication? She also has a lot of trouble sleeping and has racing thoughts. She is OCD, Anxiety, Depression, and ADHD. She is very sensitive to medications and actually has med anxiety. She has been in treatment for a year now, inpatient and out patient, and is currently trying to go back to college.
Hey Susan. Thanks so much for your comment/question.
I wish I could answer your question, but there’s no way for me to tell if there are any interactions with these supplements and your daughter’s current prescriptions.
Please have your daughter ask her doctor about this if she’s interested in learning more.
I wish your daughter the best of luck with her treatment.
Hey Susan,
I’m sorry to hear about your daughter. She sounds a lot like me. I am very sensitive to medications and it has take a long time to adjust. I have been on tramadol for a year and it takes away anxiety, depression and chronic pain. I have found that it makes me tired after awhile and a little depressed. When I Take Valium to sleep I wake up happy and not depressed. I came onto this sight to replace the Valium naturally and to try and come off the tramadol. It’s hard to know if I have chronic pain because it may be that the tramadol tells my body I’m in pain but I’m not. Before the tramadol and Valium I was only taking GABA and magnesium and I was always a little sedated but felt very calm all day which worked for me for quite awhile. I am ordering every vitamin on this site and I am going to try and test what will work for me. Sometimes it’s better to start with night time meds first.
It seems that GABA will be good for night and sometimes day time depending. I think GABA slows brain activity and takes away anxiety and ADHD.
Depression gets better from exercise and also sunlight and getting enough sleep.
Rasberry tea leaf also helps with depression.
I think the medication list on here is your best bet for your daughter.
If none of those work, tramadol is kind of a fix all for depression, anxiety and pain and sometimes it’s ok to just be on medications. I would not have gotten through my undergrad or grad school with having depression anxiety and pain. My luckily they substances may work
I’ve tried most medications and therapy with little affect on my ADD, and I’ve been at this since around 1980 or so.
Lately I’ve been trying some of these natural things. So far 5-HTP has a very very mild effect, but gives me insomnia. Ashwaghanda was fantastic on my symptoms and I highly recommend folks try it. It was the first time a med or supplement made me really notice a difference. However, I’m allergic to it! I get all itchy and my eyes run. Bummer. Valarian is a tad calming but doesn’t really help my ADD at all.
I’ve improved my diet (Soda was my drug of choice for years! Don’t do that, the damage it does is not good.) increased my activity and exercise.
I’m going to give CBD a try next. I think a huge thing for me is lack of dopamine, which is why soda (sugar and caffeine) worked so well for me. I rarely get a natural hit or reward of dopamine. Some people get something done, work out, accomplish something and get a “hit”, where I never do. I never feel good after getting something done, I just feel exhausted and need a nap haha! I hear CBD can work on dopamine issues.
Interesting blog, thanks for the ideas!
Hey Mike. Thank you very much for sharing your awesome comment with all of us.
I agree that ashwagandha is tremendous. But I’m sorry to hear that it makes you itchy and makes your eyes run.
Overall, that’s awesome that you’re making such great progress with your health and diet.
You’re right that CBD is a very useful option. I personally enjoy it very much.
Thanks again Mike and I wish you the best of luck going forward.
Hey Mike,
You can eat foods that increase dopamine:
Dark chocolate, blue berries, salmon, Brazilian nuts and Brussels sprouts.
Hope it all works out!
Lauren
Mike- thanks for the great info. Your insight on the Ashwaghanda was very helpful.
You might want to check out the work by Julia Ross and her book “The Mood Cure”. She suggests targeted Amino Acids to work with these symptoms. For Dopamine issues, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, and NAC are all Amino acid precursors of Dopamine that might prove helpful. They are available by themselves or in combinations together (Apex Dopatone).
Another supplement people may find helpful for anxiety/insomnia/ADD that may be as a result of elevated Cortisol is PS or Phosphatidyl Serine. It’s not a sedative but calms the system by helping lower cortisol (responsible for “fight or flight”) which is preventing us getting to sleep, by worrying too much and constantly thinking and going over things in your head. I typically have patients try it at bedtime. The good news is you can take another dose if you wake up, and it doesn’t leave you groggy. You can also take it during the day if you are feeling really wired, jacked up, anxious, overwhelmed, without it having a sedative affect.
Hi, Stefan,
My name is Shah and I am from India.
I am addicted for Restyl 0.5 mg 10 tablets in each night for sleep.
Without this I am not able to sleep and I am facing lot of problems just like Anxiety disorder,Aggressive behavior,Shivering,Wetting Palm,etc.
Some body suggest me to take Magnesium 250 gm Tablet per day it will help you?
Could you please help me how to quit this tablet and make my life easy.
Hopefully you will understand my sleeping problems and I was taking this tablet Restyl 0.5 mg from last more than 6 years because of Stress and unavoidable circumstances,tension,financial problems.
I want natural sleep in night and I want to quit this tablet.
I don’t want to depend on this.
Truly
Shah
Hi Shah. Thank you very much for reaching out all the way from India.
While I would love to help you, I can’t give medical advice, since I’m not a doctor.
What you’re experiencing is withdrawal symptoms, which is a very common problem that comes with stopping Restyl (Xanax).
I recommend that you speak with a good doctor who you trust.
There is nothing to be ashamed about here. Millions of people are facing the same problem that you face. You can make it through this, if you just chat with a doctor, and explain the issues that you’re facing.
I wish you the best of luck going forward Shah.
I loved Phenibut until I realized I was addicted and started giving me noticeable side effects. It is quite tough to come off and although I have an alprazolam prescription now I still take other supplements as I am only on .25mg pills which is quite weak. To adjust for the low dose I take GABA with each half of a pill twice a day. I also take some California Poppy extract at night sometimes and on occasion I also take Picamilon which I think now may be banned.
Yes phenibut is a common substance of choice because it’s so magnetic. People absolutely love the effects (including some really good friends of mine). But it’s one of those really controversial substances that I can’t recommend on this website. I especially can’t recommend phenibut to people with ADHD, because we are too impulsive by nature (with addictive personalities for the most part).
Hi. My anxiety triggers a nervousness that causes me to struggle with feeling unsteady on my feet (walking or standing). Is there one particular herb you’d recommend?
Thank you.
Hi Leslie. I’m honestly not sure about that. Your situation sounds severe enough to chat with a doctor about that particular issue (Naturopathic or traditional doctor). Have you tried asking a doctor about that?
My name is Deborah. menopause 6 years now, addicted to xanex for 5 years now. have lots of anxiety starting in the morning and off an on all day. My doctor says i have ( i forgot the name) but its the reverse affect of what the medication is meant for, except xanex. I dont sleep without it, but do wake up all night long and back to sleep. about 10 times during the night. Have been trying to cut back on the xanex and eventually stop taking it. how ever me or the doctors haven’t seem to find anything that works, only thing on your list i have tried is the Valerian, it had the reverse affect. please give me your top 5 choices on your list and can or should i take them all on a daily basis. Im tired of this struggle, im not prescribed xanex but i get it anyways. need help, it has cause my depression and now on wellbutrin for that as well as trazadone which i still need to take a little xanex to help that work. im ready for a rehab, and end of my rope. my staff like me better at work when i take a xanex, im doing 2 mg a day thru out the day, can you help me.
Hi Deborah. Thank you for your comment. Since you’re on Wellbutrin and Trazadone, I think you should speak with your doctor for the best recommendations! I would love to help you out, but it just wouldn’t be appropriate for me to give you advice in this situation. I hope you understand 🙂
Hi i suffer from fibromyalgia, and degenerative disk disease i get depressed with annxity because of the pain im in im looking for something natural to take to keep me calm when needed also for my panic attacks i was on a benzo so looking for something similar because of how quick it helps me i already take hydrocodone along with lyrica so i perfer to take something natural for my anxieties thank you in advance.
Hi Suzette. Since you’re taking multiple medications, please chat with your doctor about which natural products you’re allowed to take. I wish I could help you out, but this is really a situation that’s best suited for your doctor to help you with!
I have been on clozapam for 17 years. I have been weaned off very slowly and it has been 4 weeks totally off of it. I feel awful. Brain fog. I don’t feel like myself I feel like I’m in a bubble. Lethargic and no appetite. I want something natural could you just give me some ideas.
Hi Shonda. Have you tried talking to your doctor about weaning off of your medication? I would love to help you, but I truly think it’s best if you chat with your doctor about how to proceed with this important situation.
Hello ,
i have sufered insomnia fo years on and off.
For rhe last year and half i have been throuh so much stress dou to problems at work, my mother ilness and death. Sleeping has been always avhallenge . three weks ago i felt that my sleeping was suffering then i did not sleep at al one nigtt an took xanax for 4 days which i slept somehow then i stop the xanax for 3 days and the fist night i slee ok the next nigt maybe 2 hour then the 3 night nothing then i took a natural adrenal tonic withrhodiola and did not sleep at all is 3 nights that i dont sleep at all.what can i do. Phisisians don care
Please help me
Hi Natali. Really sorry to hear about the pain you’re going through. Have you brought this up to your doctor? I’m afraid your situation sounds serious, and I truly believe you would be best served by a professional in this case.
Hi. I have severe overall anxiety due to a constant internal pain in the left kidney, painful/Tense breathing and painfully high blood pressure, so without drugs or supplements, I CANT SLEEP AT ALL UNLESS I STAY UP FOR 3 DAYS. So I have to combine all the supplements above on the list. I always have to use “phenibut”, “holy basil / Ocimum Sanctum”, “Valerian root”, “L-Theanine”, “Kava root”, “Ashwagandha” and “Rhodiola rosea”.at least 500-1000mg EVERY DAY. Without it, I could not function in EVERY SITUATIONS IN LIFE. I’m hoping I don’t have cancer and I TRY my best to ignore doctors because I really don’T trust doctors here in Iceland, they only describe me with aprazolam mylan, which totally doesn’t me help at all and has no effect. Later after I argued with my doctor he just told me to go to a very expensive therapy for like 150 dollars an hour and I probably wouldn’t be prescribed for a drug untill i’ve at least been in therapy for weeks which would cost me a fortune. ICELANDIC HEALTH SERVICE SUCKS at makes my life a living hell AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET XANAX IN ICELAND IS THROUGH THE BLACK MARKET which is cheaper than wasting the money on therapy. I still wish you all the best of luck.
Sorry to hear about your terrible experience Siggi. Iceland is a beautiful country and I’m sorry to hear that the medical situation is difficult over there. It’s very expensive over there, I know. I wish you the best too.
Hey love yojr site and artivles. Very helpful site for sure. I’ll be trying to quit adderal cold turkey here soon amd meeded some advice on best supplememtd to help me get through them. I suffer from horrible lethargy and depression and exhaustion for the first couple weeks usually when I do. I’m also taking subocen so this is why I’m comcermed. I’m thinking about try I g to quit subs then too but scared it may be too dangerous. I think my hormones are way off whack I suffer with horrible hot and cold flashes on a daily amd have bowel issies too but one common thing I keep seeing is the benefits of ashwaganda and magnesium. I have magnesium oil I spray on my skin but not sure if its the same kind we are all supposedly lacking here in America. Why are we all lacking it and why foes the govermment or supposed health system poison us like they do? This is horrible. Its corruption anyways your advice on nest things Wil help thanks
Thank you so much Rachel. Yes it’s best to take magnesium in pill form I believe. So give that a try! Ashwagandha is excellent too.
Hi Stephan,
Thank you for providing this information! I’ve suffered with anxiety, panic attacks ( leads to agoraphobia) and insomnia for many years. My treatment plan included 1 mg Lorazepam as needed daily and Zoloft. Those helped a lot most of the time. My Dr prescribed .25-.50mg. Klonipin as needed for leg cramps at night a few years ago. It didn’t seem to help so I didn’t take it for a long time. But eventually I began to take it nightly. Shortly after that my Dr. closed his office. So that’s when I began the taper method for the Klonopin. Not fun. I’m interested in trying Ashwagadan but I’m wondering if it is sedating enough for night time use? What is best for daytime anxiety and panic attacks? And what is best for insomnia? Thank you for your help! Susan
Hi Susan. Ashwagandha is definitely not ideal for night time use. It’s a bit more energetic in nature, so it’s best for morning use. Have you tried CBD oil yet?
Great information here. Was wondering if these all bring natural are safe for kids. My daughter is 11 and suffers from severe severe anxiety and panic attacks and she has been on meds for past 3 years but they always seems to stop working and I don’t feel comfortable with meds at such a young age so was thinking of trying the rhodiola and magnesium
Hi Tom. Thanks for the comment. When it comes to kids, I always recommend consulting a Naturopathic doctor for the best results. You can never be too safe 🙂
Hey, thanks for compiling a list of natural supplements for anxiety. I have dealt with anxiety and panic my entire life, now 33. I currently take 125mg Zoloft once daily and .5mg xanax 3-4 daily. I have been on these prescriptions for nearly 13 years and just increased the Zoloft to 125mg after being on 100mg for the time prior. I currently do use a cbd supplement nightly that I do think has some benefits. Which product do you think I should take that most likely will mimic xanax or I should add to what I already take?
Hi Zach. I don’t think any supplement can mimic Xanax. CBD is one of the best supplements available, which you’ve mentioned that you’re currently taking. So I think that’s a pretty great start.
I have been prescribed Xanax 0.5mg bid prn within the past month. I was having terrible panic attacks and anxiety part of which was from changing around my antidepressant medication. I am currently taking Celexa 20mg at hs. The Xanax I take half tab in the morning another around 2pm and then again at HS. I’m not wanting to stay on this and I don’t think that my Dr is either. The Celexa it self doesn’t help enough with the anxiety. I am interested in trying alternative therapy to treat my anxiety. I also turned 50 this year so mid life has hit me as well. I don’t sleep well at night. I do have Ambien but I rarely take it just because I don’t like taking so many psychotropic medications. I am also pursing counseling, talk therapy CBT etc in addition to medication/herbal therapy.
I wish you the best of luck Jade. Just try to do your best. That’s all you can do. Give the alternative therapies a try, and work with a great doctor who you trust. I think that’s just about all that any one of us can do.
I suffer with severe, life altering health anxiety due to a heart arrhythmia. I have not found anything that helps to lower my anxiety. What do you recommend in severe cases?
Severe life altering anxiety definitely warrants a visit with a high-quality doctor. It’s worth researching the best doctors in your area (traditional docs and/or Naturopathic docs) and making multiple appointments. I genuinely wish you the best Tricia.
I have been on xanax for 16 yrs. I can’t get off of them. I go through bad withdrawals ,seizures and had 2 ministrokes without xanax being in my system for 2 days or more. My prescription is for 1mg of xanax, 3 tims a day. My doctor told me I can’t stop taking them and I am looking for a home remedy. I am a singe mother and have 3 children and can’t leave them to be in a detox center.
TIA for any help
I truly wish you the best of luck Jamie and I genuinely feel for you. I wish I could help. Your situation sounds severe enough to warrant serious medical advice from a qualified professional. Have you tried chatting with multiple different doctors, so that you can get different perspectives on this matter?
This site and article are both tremendous! I can’t believe how lucky I am to have found it when doing a search for natural Xanax. I was diagnosed with ADHD a long time ago but my issue is with sleep. I will be potentially moving somewhere where marijuana is not an option. I don’t want to take too many different herbs. What is the minimum combo that is good for relaxing at night (not fighting the racing thoughts while watching TV or with loved ones) and then getting a good sleep? Thank you so much!
Thanks so much Diana. You’ll have to experiment with different herbs and start with VERY low doses to see what your body responds best to!
Hello, my husband is currently trying to get off Xanax. He has a long history of use as he suffers from a severe chronic panic/anxiety disorder. He has become very dependent on them, and honestly a bit of misuse. He was forced to come off them due to running out of his prescription too early. I found your site a few days ago and have gotten him a few of your recommended supplements. However, I have come across the supplement “Bacopa” frequently in my search on helping with withdrawal symptoms and use for after to help cope with anxiety. What are your thoughts on this supplement? Have you ever used it?
Thank you for taking the time to read my comment.
Thanks for the comment Haleish. Wish I could help you out. In cases of Xanax withdrawal, it’s really best to chat with a doctor who can help you out, since it’s such a serious issue. I recommend consulting a traditional or Naturopathic doctor!
Oh yes, he was in full care of doctors, around the clock, as he was in the hospital. I was asking more for aftercare.
Since that comment, 6 weeks ago, the doctors actually forced him back on Xanax after he had completely withdrew from them. However, he now takes his daily supplements. Right now the supplements I have him on are; AM – Ashwaganda, L-Theanine, and a probiotic. PM – Valerian Root and is prescribed Hydroxyzine as a sleep aid.
I had got him niacin, but he hasn’t taken as he said he think it doesn’t affect him positively.
He feels like what he is taking now has been helping him (along with his antidepressant 2x daily and Xanax). So with that little back story finished; do you have any experience with Bacopa? Or do you feel I should keep him with the supplements he’s taking and would you personally add anything?
FYI; when broughtul the supplements to the doctors they seemed to care less and very disinterested.
Thanks again,
Haleigh
Bacopa is awesome Haleigh. I have an article on that supplement. How has the supplement stack been working so far? Very curious to know.
Is ashwagandha stimulating? I need something that calms you down pretty instantly.
Yes Fawn it’s stimulating. Best taken in the early morning when you’re feeling a bit tired.
If you need something calming, CBD oil is a lot better for that.
Hi, I have a down syndrome daughter is 19 years old. I believe other than stubbornness she possibly has ADHD and anxiety. She had her cycle now for three years but this summer became very aggressive and is having trouble had a brand new school that she’s going to. I would like your recommendations on how to help her. I need liquids or crushable, good tasting too
Thanks for your question Paula. Sorry for the late response. Have you tried anything for your daughter yet? I was thinking something like CBD may be helpful since it comes in liquid and gummy form. Wishing you and your daughter all the best.
Please help! I was on klonopin for 10 yrs and it was a nightmare, constantly having seizures, staples in my head and in the hospital. Nobody and nothing helped me. I went 7 months w/o any benzodiazepines until I literally became agoraphobic. I went to my Doctor and was prescribed a low dose of xanax and now,of course not working;on top of stress and insomnia…. I had a nervous breakdown. I just got Kratom and am tapering off the xanax but have never tried Kratom yet. PLEASE, is is ok for me to take the Kratom bc I’m crawling out of my skin and ,per usual, nobody will help me. (I have not mentioned Kratom to my doc!) Suggestions PLEASE!!??
So I just started seeing a psychiatrist about 2 months ago. I explained how public places and basically areas away from my house starts these like deep breathing excersise things to help me relax. He put me on zoloft, vistaril, and gabapentain. They are not doing a damn thing to help me out PLEASE. I still have these panic attacks come on I’d say 2-4 days a week. I explained that my grand mother who is in medicine recommended 1mg clonazepam in the morning and 1mg at night. What do I need to do to be put on colonopin twice a day. In my psychiatrists head.
Thank you for putting this info out there. Many of us can definitely use it. Much appreciated. Jen
Thank you Jennifer.