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Best Supplements For Anxiety 2024 According To A Nutritionist
Updated on
- Written by Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD
Medically reviewed by
Melissa Mitri, MS, RD
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CBDfx CBD + CBN Oil Calming Tincture
- No groggy aftereffects the next day
- 100% organic hemp
- Available in a variety of strengths
- Enhanced flavor
25% Off Coupon: HEALTHCANAL
HUM Big Chill
- Helps balance adrenals
- Triple-tested for purity
- Vegan-friendly
Life Extension Stress Relief
- Enhances mood, memory, and retention
- Provides L-theanine
- Helps promote good sleep quality
To get more information about the best anxiety supplements, we should know that anxiety can be a typical byproduct of living in today’s hectic world. While some anxiety can help you stay motivated, prepared, and alert, chronic stress and daily recurring anxiety can negatively affect the human body and decrease your quality of life. Anxiety is characterized by intense feelings of worry, fear, and stress over aspects of everyday life. If all that sounds familiar to you, you’re not alone. Anxiety disorders include but are not limited to generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, major depressive disorder, and specific phobias.
Treatment options for stress and anxiety disorders can include talk therapy, certain medications, or a combination of both. In addition, research suggests some natural remedies such as CBD oils and other anxiety supplements may also reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. However, it’s important to remember not all supplements are safe or effective. This article will review seven popular dietary supplements marketed for reducing anxiety symptoms and decreasing anxiety levels.
Best Natural Supplements For Anxiety On The Market In (April. 2024)
- CBDfx CBD + CBN Oil Calming Tincture – Editor’s choice
- HUM Big Chill – Best Anxiety Supplement for a Plant-based Diet
- Life Extension Stress Relief – Dual-action for Stress
- Goli Ashwagandha – Best Supplement for Anxiety with Vitamin D
- 1MD Nutrition Curcumin MD Plus – Best Curcumin Supplement for Anxiety
- Doctor’s Best L-Threanine with Suntheanine – Best Anxiety Supplement with Suntheanine
- Pure Encapsulations Magnesium (Glycinate) – Best Magnesium Supplement for Anxiety
Do Anxiety Supplements Work?
If you’ve tried other strategies or methods of coping with your anxiety, you may wonder if anxiety supplements work. While anxiety supplements cannot take the place of therapy or prescribed medication from your healthcare provider, evidence suggests they may help alleviate stress-related symptoms if taken properly. However, you must discuss any new dietary supplements with your doctor before including them in your healthcare routine, especially products that can affect your brain and nervous system.
According to a large population-based survey, over 33% of the population[1] struggle with anxiety at some point in their lifetime. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that 40 million adults in the United States alone struggle with anxiety disorders. Of those 40 million adults, approximately 6.8 million of them are diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, six million with panic disorders, 15 million with social anxiety disorder, and 19 million with specific phobias.
Many people seeking natural remedies will rely on omega-3 fatty acids, chamomile supplements, or even vitamin C supplements for the purported antidepressant properties. In addition, essential fatty acid intake helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin D. Fish oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and a common household supplement. Lastly, many people rely on foods rich in B vitamins, especially vitamin B12, secondary to its correlation with depression and anxiety.[2]
7 Best Supplements For Anxiety & Depression In 2024
CBDfx CBD + CBN Oil Calming Tincture
25% Off Coupon: HEALTHCANAL
One of the best CBD oils for anxiety, CBDFx’s Calming Tincture features a full spectrum CBD, CBN, and terpene blend designed to help you relax. Available in a variety of strengths, this natural supplement can be taken during the day to calm down or before bed to help you get a good night’s sleep.
- No groggy aftereffects the next day
- 100% organic hemp
- Available in a variety of strengths
- Enhanced flavor
- May cause drowsiness
CBDFx offers a wide variety of CBD oils, including broad-spectrum and full-spectrum oils. Like CBD gummies, CBD oils are designed to help you naturally calm anxiety. The CBDFx Calming Tincture does just that while also helping you prepare for a restful night of sleep. You can choose from a variety of strengths, depending on your tolerance, preference, and needs. It is offered in regular strength (500mg), extra strength (1000mg), maximum strength (2000mg), maximum strength plus (4000mg), and ultra strength (6000mg).
The mixture of CBD and CBN, along with the terpene blend, helps you sleep without residual effects when you wake up in the morning. There are typically no strange physiological effects during your sleep. The hemp used in CBDFX’s products is grown in the United States and is 100% organic. The CBD products are non-addictive and non-habit-forming.
HUM Big Chill
HUM’s Big Chill capsules help the mind and body cope with stress. Made with Rhodiola Rosea root, this anxiety supplement helps to improve your body’s response to stress by balancing your adrenals.
- Helps balance adrenals
- Triple-tested for purity
- Vegan-friendly
- Only available in one dose
HUM has multiple products available that can boost your mood and reduce anxiety symptoms, but their Big Chill supplement is known for its ability to improve your stress response and protect your calm. The Rhodiola Rosea root within the dietary supplement is said to help balance your adrenals, enhancing your ability to stay calm and focused.
Big Chill is vegan-friendly and gluten-free, and it comes in small, easy-to-swallow capsules. HUM’s website references a 28-day study that assessed the stress scores of 39 participants who either took Big Chill or a placebo alternative. The study found that those who took Big Chill reported 20% lower stress scores within 14 days. The sentiment seems to extend to paying customers as well. Per the reviews on their website, Big Chill is given an average of 4.5 stars out of five.
Life Extension Stress Relief
Life Extension’s Stress Relief supplement combines lemon balm extract and L-theanine, an amino acid derived from green tea, to create a dual-action dietary supplement for stress. It is gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegetarian-friendly.
- Enhances mood, memory, and retention
- Provides L-theanine
- Helps promote good sleep quality
- Limited product reviews
Noticing the emerging data surrounding lemon balm extract and L-theanine’s calming health benefits, Life Extension combined the nutrients into their Stress Relief supplement. A recent study[3] found that stress-related signs such as depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and poor sleep all improved after four weeks of L-theanine administration. Additionally, the research suggests that cognitive function improved with L-theanine supplementation.
Furthermore, lemon balm helps encourage a healthy stress response and healthy sleep patterns. One to two capsules daily can help reduce anxiety symptoms. It appears most customers are happy with the product as their website displays positive reviews amounting to 4.6 stars out of a possible five.
Goli Ashwagandha
Goli’s Ashwagandha gummies are made with highly bioavailable KSM-66 Ashwagandha and Vitamin D. Along with reducing stress and promoting relaxation, they can improve your sleep, cognition, and physical performance.
- Includes Vitamin D to support your immune system
- Supports memory and concentration
- Controls stress-related food cravings
- The recommended dose is two gummies, twice daily
Goli’s Ashwagandha gummies are made with the potent Ashwagandha root extract to help reduce stress and encourage relaxation. Coincidentally, its anti-anxiety effects promote healthy sleep, decreased cortisol levels, and improved memory and concentration. Furthermore, vitamin D supplementation is included to help support a healthy immune system.
Ashwagandha can play a role in quality sleep by promoting sleep efficiency and total time asleep. It can also act as an aphrodisiac and support sexual health in women who may need a boost in their sex life. The recommended dose is two gummies, twice daily. Thankfully, you can order multiple bottles at once and sign up for an automatic subscription to save on costs.
1MD CurcuminMD Plus
CurcuminMD Plus helps relieve occasional joint soreness and improve your overall wellness by promoting cognitive and heart health. CurciuminMD Plus uses curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, to facilitate efficient absorption in your body.
- Promotes healthy brain function
- Easily absorbed
- Supports joint health
- Requires two doses daily
1MD’s CurcuminMD Plus Longvida Optimized Curcumin formula is said to be absorbed in the body 285 times more efficiently than other forms of curcumin. This efficient absorption helps the dietary supplement do its job. In addition, curcumin helps produce antioxidant enzymes that help reduce joint stiffness and improve cognitive health. CurcuminMD Plus is scientifically formulated to help support memory function, concentration, and mood regulation.
CurcuminMD Plus is vegan-friendly and dairy-free, wheat-free, peanut-free, and shellfish-free. You have the option to subscribe at a lower monthly cost or order as a one-time purchase. The reviews on their website are overwhelmingly positive, with a rating of 4.9 stars out of five. However, if you don’t have a similar experience, 1MD offers a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Doctor’s Best L-Theanine with Suntheanine
Doctor’s Best L-Theanine with Suntheanine is designed to help support a healthy mood and quality sleep. Its patented Suntheanine mimics the natural health effects of green tea leaves.
- Supports relaxation without drowsiness
- Vegan-friendly
- Supports focus and memory
- Only one dosage is available
Knowing the purported benefits of L-theanine, Doctor’s Best created their anxiety supplement L-Theanine with Suntheanine. L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea leaves that helps support the healthy stress response, calmness, and focus without causing drowsiness. Suntheanine is a pure form of L-theanine in supplement form, and it can be used to treat nervousness and tension by encouraging mental tranquility.
L-Theanine with Suntheanin is vegan-friendly and gluten-free. Based on customer reviews, most consumers are happy with the supplement’s results. It is also more cost-effective than other anxiety supplements on the market currently.
Pure Encapsulations Magnesium (Glycinate)
Pure Encapsulations Magnesium supplement supports your overall health through several mechanisms. As far as anxiety disorders, it can reduce anxiety symptoms by supporting stress relief and improved sleep.
- Supports heart health and nutrient metabolism
- Supports stress relief
- Hypo-allergenic
- Potential gastrointestinal or irregular heartbeat side effects
Pure Encapsulations Magnesium (Glycinate) supplement supports stress relief. It helps with the metabolism and utilization of many essential vitamins, including vitamin B6, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Research suggests that vitamin C maintains homeostasis in your central nervous system. Hence, its utilization is necessary to manage anxiety. Furthermore, magnesium deficiency has been shown to increase vulnerability[4] to psychological stressors.
Pure Encapsulations takes pride in its production process, ensuring its ingredients are sourced from trusted suppliers and its products are tested for purity and potency. As a result, the customer response is overwhelmingly positive, with almost 15,000 reviews averaging 4.7 stars out of a possible five. However, it’s important to remember that magnesium supplements can cause gastrointestinal issues and irregular heartbeats. Speak with your healthcare professional if you show any concerning symptoms.
How To Choose The Best Supplement For Anxiety?
There is a large spectrum of mental disorders relating to anxiety, so it is best to work with your healthcare professional to choose the right anxiety medications for your needs. However, there are specific criteria you can consider during your search for the best supplements for anxiety. These include
- Efficacy: the primary ingredients should be well-supported by current research to be safe and effective.
- Brand Reputation: search for well-renowned brands that use third-party testing.
- Quality: look for a supplement with high-quality ingredients.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health can also be extremely helpful when researching the science behind different herbs[5] or herbal remedies. If your goal is to reduce anxiety severity, it is key to alleviate symptoms as improved anxiety symptoms translate to improved mood disorders and overall wellness. With the approval of your mental health professional, you may also consider taking a vitamin C supplement and a fatty acid supplement such as fish oil to help support the anti-anxiety effects of your herbal supplements.
Final Thought
Anxiety disorders are common mental health concerns, and for many people, they can interfere with their daily lives. While there is no way to cure anxiety, you can treat anxiety symptoms with therapy, prescription medications, and natural remedies such as exercise, aromatherapy with essential oils, and herbal supplements.
Anxiety relief may look different for everyone, but anxiety supplements can be instrumental in mood regulation and reducing perceived stress and anxiety symptoms. This article does not take the place of professional medical advice, so before taking any dietary supplements to manage anxiety symptoms, it is best to speak with your mental health professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anxiety supplements are generally recognized as safe for healthy adults, but it’s best to discuss new supplements with your healthcare professional in case they are contraindicated with your current treatment. You may also want to start with a low dose when trying a new supplement and watch for unwanted changes or reactions.
Supplements with magnesium may be the best choice for those who suffer from panic attacks as magnesium[4] can reduce norepinephrine synthesis and release.
Many supplements can help reduce anxiety in social situations, but chamomile supplements or those with Rhodiola Rosea are commonly used.
How long anxiety supplements work can vary based on many factors such as supplement dosing, bioavailability, and body composition.
+ 5 sources
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- Bandelow, B., & Michaelis, S. (2015). Epidemiology of anxiety disorders in the 21st century. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 17(3), 327–335. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.3/bbandelow
- Todorov A., Chumpalova-Tumbeva P., Stoimenova-Popova M., Popova V., Todorieva-Todorova D., Tzvetkov N., Hristov I., Georgiev G., Valtchev V., Krasteva N., Ilieva R., Dimitrova E., Tumbev L. and Ruseva A. (2017) Correlation between Depression and Anxiety and the Level of Vitamin B12 in Patients with Depression and Anxiety and Healthy Controls. Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Research, Vol.10 (Issue 2), pp. 140-145. https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcr-2017-0023
- Hidese, S., Ogawa, S., Ota, M., Ishida, I., Yasukawa, Z., Ozeki, M., & Kunugi, H. (2019). Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 11(10), 2362. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102362
- Papadopol, V., & Nechifor, M. (2011). Magnesium in neuroses and neuroticism. In R. Vink (Eds.) et. al., Magnesium in the Central Nervous System. University of Adelaide Press.
- NCCIH. (2022). Herbs at a Glance. Available at: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/herbsataglance
Written by:
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
