This is a useful list for anyone who wants to take a positive, pro-active approach to reducing their anxiety levels. High anxiety is so bad for your health (including hair, skin and overall physical health): if you suffer from high anxiety levels, I strongly advise you take measures to combat it.
By using a supplement such as those listed below you can get a head start on reducing your overall anxiety levels, giving you the space to breath, which gives you the opportunity to deal with your anxiety properly by practising thinking positively and relaxing every day.
So I researched the ingredients in all the top anxiety supplements and did the hard work to find out which ones actually work! And having done that, these are the ones I recommend…
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Bioverix Relaxedin
Around $26 for 60 capsules- St John’s Wort may help to prolong the actin of serotonin
- Passion Flower may help increase GABA in the brain
- Theanine may increase GABA levels in the brain more effectively than taking GABA itself, which cannot pass through the blood-brain barrier
- 5-HTP may help increase serotonin melatonin
- Magnesium is a relaxant and may aid restful sleep
- Vitamin B6 may increase dopamine and serotonin in the brain, improving mood
- L-Tyrosine may increase dopamine and reduce negative effects of 5-HTP
Ingredients
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Nutracraft Mood Mend
Around $36 for 90 capsules- Theanine may increase GABA levels in the brain more effectively than taking GABA itself, which cannot pass through the blood-brain barrier
- Niacin (vitamin B3) is an antidote to adrenaline. People who suffer anxiety may experience excessive adrenaline
- Magnesium is a relaxant and may aid restful sleep
- Ashwagandha may reduce cortisol levels
- Chamomile has been shown to reduce “HAM-D” scores (a clinical measurement of anxiety)
- 5-HTP may help increase serotonin melatonin
- Dmae Bitartrate may help improve cognitive function
Ingredients
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NOW Foods True Calm Amino Relaxer
Around $10 for 90 capsules- Niacin (vitamin B3) is an antidote to adrenaline. People who suffer anxiety may experience excessive adrenaline.
- Vitamin B6 may increase dopamine and serotonin in the brain, improving mood
- Magnesium is a relaxant and may aid restful sleep
- Taurine may reduce cortisol levels and may also benefit hair growth!
- Glycine may help prevent panic attacks
- Inositol may be effective in the treatment of various forms of anxiety
- Valerian root may help promote restful sleep
- Contains no sugar, yeast, corn, soy, wheat, gluten, milk or preservatives
Ingredients
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Neuro Clarity
Around $25 for 60 capsules- St John’s Wort may help to prolong the actin of serotonin
- Phosphatidylserine may help reduce cortisol
- Bacopa Monnieri may help improve neuron communication
- Dmae Bitartrate may help improve cognitive function
Ingredients
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Anxiety Ease
Around $40 for 120 capsules- Theanine may increase GABA levels in the brain more effectively than taking GABA itself, which cannot pass through the blood-brain barrier
- Ashwagandha may reduce cortisol levels
- Tulsi (Holy Basil) may help reduce stress hormone levels
- Studies show lemon balm reduces anxiety and aids relaxation
- Skullcap may help reduce stress hormone levels
Ingredients
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Nuphorin Anxiety Relief
Around $40 for 60 capsules- Ashwagandha may reduce cortisol levels
- Chamomile has been shown to reduce “HAM-D” scores (a clinical measurement of anxiety)
- 5-HTP may help increase serotonin and melatonin
- Dmae Bitartrate may help improve cognitive function
- Vitamin B1 may help control blood sugar levels
- Niacin (vitamin B3) is an antidote to adrenaline. People who suffer anxiety may experience excessive adrenaline
- Magnesium is a relaxant and may aid restful sleep
Ingredients
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Around $36 for 90 capsules- Contains 7 B vitamins, which may help in the synthesis of serotonin
- Theanine may increase GABA levels in the brain more effectively than taking GABA itself, which cannot pass through the blood-brain barrier
- Niacin (vitamin B3) is an antidote to adrenaline. People who suffer anxiety may experience excessive adrenaline
- Magnesium is a relaxant and may aid restful sleep
- Taurine may reduce cortisol levels and may also benefit hair growth!
- Inositol may be effective in the treatment of various forms of anxiety
Ingredients
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Vimulti Mood Support
Around $36 for 90 capsules- Niacin (vitamin B3) is an antidote to adrenaline. People who suffer anxiety may experience excessive adrenaline
- Magnesium is a relaxant and may aid restful sleep
- Ashwagandha may reduce cortisol levels
- Chamomile has been shown to reduce “HAM-D” scores (a clinical measurement of anxiety)
- 5-HTP may help increase serotonin melatonin
- Dmae Bitartrate may help improve cognitive function
Ingredients
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Zen Anxiety
Around $50 for 60 capsules- Theanine may increase GABA levels in the brain more effectively than taking GABA itself, which cannot pass through the blood-brain barrier
- Skullcap may help reduce stress hormone levels
- Studies show lemon balm reduces anxiety and aids relaxation
- Holy Basil may help reduce stress hormone levels
- Vitamin B6 may increase dopamine and serotonin in the brain, improving mood
- Ashwagandha may reduce cortisol levels
- Magnesium is a relaxant and may aid restful sleep
Ingredients
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Medulla Mood
Around $36 for 60 capsules- Vitamin B6 may increase dopamine and serotonin in the brain, improving mood
- Magnesium is a relaxant and may aid restful sleep
- 5-HTP may help increase serotonin and melatonin
- Passion Flower may help increase GABA in the brain
- Linden flower is a gentle sedative
- Skullcap may help reduce stress hormone levels
Ingredients
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MaxiCalm
Around $36 for 90 capsules- Ashwagandha may reduce cortisol levels
- An Indian herbal formula. Most of these herbs are not clinically proven to treat anxiety, but are believed in Ayurvedic medicine
Ingredients
Conclusions
GABA
When I first started researching anti anxiety supplements I saw there were a few nutrients that are common in most supplements. One of these is GABA. However, after researching further I discovered that consuming GABA orally doesn’t do much good because it can’t cross the blood brain barrier where it helps improve mood and alleviate anxiety. Therefore to help increase GABA in the brain you need to take supplements that contain nutrients that help your body produce more GABA in the brain. These include Theanine (a B vitamin) and Passion Flower.
5-HTP
5-HTP is an amino acid that seems to be common in just about all anti anxiety supplements. So I thought I’d give it a try. I took three 5-HTP supplements. I noticed a fairly dramatic effect, although I would say, due to it’s extreme effect it left me slightly flustered. I tried just 2 capsules the following day. Several hours later I experienced several hours of heart palpitations, which was quite unpleasant. However, after ploughing on through the palpitations I felt quite relaxed.
What to look for
From what I’ve researched, if you’re looking to reduce your anxiety levels you need three things:
- nutrients that increase your serotonin (lifting your mood);
- nutrients that have a mild sedative or calming effect;
- and nutrients that reduce stress hormones like cortisol
If you think improving your mood (increasing your serotonin levels) will help your anxiety, go for a supplement that contains 5-HTP and Theanine (to increase GABA). If you think something like 5-HTP (which can make you feel a bit hectic) will only make you flustered, you might benefit more from nutrients that have a sedative effect, such as Lemon Balm, and nutrients that reduce cortisol levels, such as Skullcap.
References
- http://nootriment.com/l-tyrosine-for-anxiety/
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/inner-source/201401/ashwaganda-anxiety
- http://www.medicinehunter.com/holy-basil
- http://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2007/8/report_stress_anxiety/page-01
- http://www.livestrong.com/article/435038-skullcap-for-anxiety/
- http://www.realnatural.org/chamomile-relaxes-fights-anxiety-and-depression/
- http://idealbite.com/do-not-try-5-htp-until-you-read-the-facts/
- http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/mental-health/8-nutrients-to-help-beat-anxiety#CicfF25FKJXL95FP.97
- http://thecalmco.com/
- http://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/calming-effects-of-passionflower
- http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail309.php
- http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-794-5-htp.aspx?activeingredientid=794&activeingredientname=5-htp
