Natural Supplements and Treatments for Anxiety: What the Research Says About Supplements for Anxiety

Therapy in a Nutshell・23 minutes read

Emma McAdam discusses natural options for treating anxiety without medication, highlighting research-backed treatments like herbs and supplements but warning about the lack of regulation and placebo effects in supplements. She emphasizes the importance of consulting a doctor before making any changes to medication or supplements, and prefers addressing nutritional deficiencies over suppressing emotions in anxiety treatment.

Insights

  • Not all natural supplements for anxiety are safe or effective, as they lack FDA regulation and rigorous testing, highlighting the importance of consulting a doctor before making any changes to medication or supplements.
  • Emma McAdam emphasizes the significance of research quality for supplements, advocating for studies with multiple trials, high participant numbers, randomized groups, and minimized bias to ensure the reliability of the findings, showcasing a holistic approach to mental health.

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Recent questions

  • What are some natural treatments for anxiety?

    Emma McAdam discusses various natural treatments for anxiety, including herbs and supplements. She emphasizes a holistic approach to mental health and highlights the importance of working with a doctor before making any changes to medication or supplements.

  • Are all natural supplements safe for anxiety treatment?

    Not all natural supplements are safe for anxiety treatment, as they are not regulated by the FDA and may lack rigorous testing. Emma McAdam mentions the importance of good research for supplements, which includes multiple studies, high participant numbers, randomized groups, and minimized bias.

  • What are some effective treatments for anxiety besides supplements?

    Emma McAdam mentions 7 other effective treatments for anxiety besides supplements. She also addresses the misconception that anxiety or depression are solely genetic, emphasizing that there are multiple factors at play in mental health.

  • Which supplements have shown effectiveness in treating anxiety?

    Emma McAdam discusses the benefits and risks of various supplements for anxiety treatment, including vitamins, magnesium, zinc, fish oil, kava, inositol, and passionflower. She prefers supplements that address nutritional deficiencies over those that simply suppress emotions.

  • Can caffeine help with anxiety management?

    Caffeine, a widely used psychoactive substance, can actually increase anxiety and impact sleep for up to 48 hours, making it counterproductive for anxiety management. Emma McAdam highlights the negative effects of caffeine on anxiety and suggests avoiding it for those seeking anxiety relief.

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Summary

00:00

"Natural Anxiety Treatments: Herbs, Supplements, Facts"

  • Emma McAdam discusses natural options for treating anxiety without medication, focusing on herbs and supplements.
  • She researched and compiled 15 research-backed natural treatments for anxiety, emphasizing a holistic approach to mental health.
  • Emma mentions 7 other effective treatments for anxiety besides supplements.
  • There is a misconception that anxiety or depression are solely genetic, but there are multiple factors at play.
  • Emma highlights the importance of working with a doctor before making any changes to medication or supplements.
  • Not all natural supplements are safe, as they are not regulated by the FDA and may lack rigorous testing.
  • Anecdotal evidence for supplements may not be reliable due to the placebo effect.
  • Good research for supplements includes multiple studies, high participant numbers, randomized groups, and minimized bias.
  • Emma discusses the benefits and risks of vitamins, magnesium, zinc, fish oil, kava, inositol, and passionflower for anxiety treatment.
  • She prefers supplements that address nutritional deficiencies over those that simply suppress emotions.

16:03

Natural Remedies for Anxiety: A Summary

  • Passionflower has shown effectiveness in treating anxiety in 3 human trials conducted in 2010.
  • Valerian root, known as nature's Valium, has been used historically for tranquility and sleep, with questions raised about its effectiveness and safety.
  • Chamomile, used for centuries as an anti-anxiety treatment, has shown potential benefits in animal trials but lacks conclusive human research.
  • Saffron, historically used for various conditions, has shown positive effects on depression and anxiety in studies, with rare side effects like dry mouth and drowsiness.
  • L-lysine and l-arginine, essential amino acids impacting neurotransmitters, have shown potential stress-reducing effects in studies with no reported side effects.
  • GABA, a naturally occurring amino acid, acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, aiding in anxiety, stress, and seizure prevention, with limited research on its calming effects.
  • L-theanine, found in tea leaves, has shown stress and anxiety reduction in trials, with no significant side effects reported.
  • St. John's Wort, extensively researched for treating mild to moderate depression, has comparable side effects to antidepressants and may be considered for comorbid anxiety and depression.
  • Caffeine, a widely used psychoactive substance, can increase anxiety and impact sleep for up to 48 hours, making it counterproductive for anxiety management.
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