by ANXIETY- Natural Alternatives to Prescription Drugs
Anxiety is an unpleasant mental health problem that is on the rise in modern society. Most commonly prescribed medications are benzodiazepines, which can be highly addictive, and antidepressants which are notorious for their side-effects.
This is because drugs are unnatural because they are both foreign & toxic to the body. They cause a foreign “invader” response that shows up as side effects. On the other hand, herbal remedies come from nature and most of them have very long history of safe human use. Because humans and plants share much of the same DNA, the human body instinctively recognizes plant medicine as natural and legitimate.
This article provides some safe and natural alternatives to prescription medications for Anxiety.
L-Theanine
L-theanine was discovered in green tea in 1949 and it is also found in other plant species and in mushrooms. L-theanine increases brain serotonin and dopamine levels and it increases the effectiveness of GABA, a calming neurotransmitter. In three clinical trials where healthy adults were put into stressful situations, L-theanine decreased anxiety in addition to lowering heart rate and blood pressure
Nutrients. 2019 Oct 3;11(10). pii: E2362.
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic cannabinoid extracted from the cannabis or hops plant, is one of the hottest selling natural supplements in history. It is most commonly sold as oral ‘CBD oil.’ Consumers praise CBD for its ability to relive inflammation, pain and anxiety without significance side effects or dependence. It’s kind of like a gentler herbal alternative for ibuprofen, Xanax and Prozac – all rolled into one.
In double blind, placebo-controlled studies, doses of around 300mg of pure CBD isolate were proven to be effective at relieving anxiety.
J Psychopharmacol. 2011 Jan;25(1):121-30.
J Psychopharmacol. 1993 Jan;7(1 Suppl):82-8.
Braz J Psychiatry. 2019 Jan-Feb;41(1):9-14.
Recent reports suggest that much lower doses (5 – 50mg) of full-spectrum CBD (CBD and Terpenes), which do not contain any amounts of THC or other cannabinoids, offer relief from anxiety.
This gives rise to the interesting proposition that CBD from the Kriya® Hops plant, that naturally contains no THC, may be the best source of CBD for Anxiety. Many people live in jurisdictions where cannabis is not legal or accessible. Some people are sensitive to THC. For all these reasons, Kriya® Hops CBD may be the best option.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha has been used for more than 2500 years of years in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. It has recently become one of the most widely used and extensively researched herbs on the Western supplement market. Ashwagandha can be a powerful natural remedy for anxiety. In a 2009 study on humans, ashwagandha was found to be as effective at relieving anxiety to the prescription drugs lorazepam and imipramine – with less side effects!
GABA
GABA is the body’s natural calming, “braking” neurotransmitter. While there are some questions as to whether taking GABA in supplement form can cross the blood brain barrier, it acts on GABA receptors in the enteric nervous system lining the stomach. PharmaGABA, which is produced using probiotic bacteria, is quickly absorbed and raises blood GABA levels 30 minutes after taking it.
Food Sci Biotechnol. 2016 Apr 30;25(2):547-551.
Magnolia Bark
Honokiol, from Magnolia bark, is a GABA receptor-binding compound that is found in the bark of many species of magnolia trees. It is structurally similar to the anesthetic drug propofol, and it is psychoactive enough that some scientists are concerned it might be abused recreationally.
Studies on mice show that it reduces anxiety behavior and oxidative stress.
Various studies have shown that honokiol exerts a wide-spectrum of anticancer activity through its ability to suppress cell migration & slow the sprouting of new blood vessels that feeds cancer growths.
Hum Psychopharmacol. 2017 May;32(3).
Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2015 May;132:79-87.
Cancers (Basel). 2019 Dec 22;12(1). pii: E48.
NATURAL PLANT BASED
Recommended Products
