The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Tight Undershirt
Posted by mmsg (somewhere, europe) on 02/15/2023
★★★★★
Whilst visiting a family with a special needs child, we noticed that the child was very nervous and was acting up. The mother said: Be right back! And took the child to the bedroom to change her undershirt into the "newfangled 'compression shirt'" she had just received from the Physical Therapist to try out. The difference was astounding: the child became calm, friendly and happy, participating in whatever was going on!!
I had always loved undershirts that "hugged". And now I found out why! How does it work? I dunno. But it does.
Chia Oil
Posted by Irina (New York) on 03/07/2022
★★★★★
I recently discovered chia oil. Like others who have posted here, flaxseed oil helped my anxiety - but both the seeds and the oil caused me to have sinus congestion. I thought maybe all kinds of Omega 3s would have a calming effect on me - but I was wrong - cod liver oil made me anxious and fish oil didn't help at all. I take chia seeds every day with only positive benefits and randomly came across an edible form of chia oil and thought I'd try it. The very first teaspoon I took had an instant calming effect that felt much stronger than flaxseed oil. I went from super anxious to extremely calm in literally just a few minutes. I am now taking 2-3 teaspoons of chia oil a day (spaced apart, with meals) I can't believe the difference in myself - I feel almost too relaxed to the point where I just want to rest a lot - and this is coming from someone who not only has anxiety. but hyperthyroid. Also, I am able to fall right to sleep at night. I highly suggest trying this oil if you suffer from any of the ailments I've mentioned - it's life-changing!
Valerian
Posted by Beth W. (AL) on 02/17/2022
★★★★★
Back when I was really sick, anxiety became a terrible side effect that left me debilitated on most days. I got so bad that I had to resort to Ativan for a couple of days to stabilize me. In the meantime, I did research and discovered valerian root and hops. I got both in tincture form (for me personally works way stronger/quicker) and for severe anxiety will take about 10 drops of both. Within minutes I felt relief that was possibly better than that from the ativan. While I worked through detoxing and getting well, I had to use this combo a few times and it has never failed me.
GABA
Posted by Janet (Ind) on 03/12/2016
Dear Ben.
Much of what you have written is correct and interesting. This post is less than helpful. Bht kills many an infection. As Oscar has said there is help in the newest medical treatment for this illness. But to discount all the cures and help bht has provided from both Oscar and Ted is disturbing to me. Janet
Phosphatidylcholine
Posted by Zander (Columbus, Ohio) on 07/26/2014
★★★★★
I have suffered from acute anxiety on and off for much of my life. Today and yesterday were especially severe and left me feeling helpless & hopeless, as well as agitated, no less. I had just received a Phosphatidylcholine formulation for liver and brain function which I took this evening with no thought to its possible effect on my anxious state. Much to my pleasant surprise, 20 minutes or so later I was feeling completely at peace and had regained interest in the book I had been reading and no longer had a feeling of hopelessness and dread. I did not make the connection to the supplement right away but I know myself well enough to know that this had been a sudden as opposed to the usual gradual improvement. I deduced that it might have something to do with the supplement. Sure enough, one of the properties of Phosphatidylcholine is its ability to tonify and support the nervous system. Yes, I'm capitalizing it. I'm very relieved and grateful--please make this available to others who may experience relief. I think that this Lecithin variant deserves its own heading in the anxiety section. Thank you, Earth Clinic!
Holy Basil
Posted by Jenna (North Dakota, US) on 06/11/2014
★★★★★
For the last five days, I have experienced anxiety at a level of 8-9 on a scale of 10. Thought I would eat the ceiling, so horrible. I am normally a high energy person, but this anxiety was I guess a prolonged panic attack. Tried everything, magnesium, taurine, 5-htp, fish oil, passion flower, glutamine, calcium, breathing deeply and pranayama, thick brews of hops, sage, Shen's worry free pills, alcohol, valerian, a friend gave me some ambien to sleep, and the list goes on - about 10 more things. Thought I was going to die from a heart attack. Got it at the health food store - the brand that makes the liquid phyto-caps, which is the best in the country imo. Over 350 mgs per capsule. Instructions say 1 cap in between meals, but I was desperate, took 2,10 minutes apart, popped them open in my mouth. Unbelievable! The anxiety started to drain within an hour. Here I am 5 hours later late at night and really peaceful and softly tired. So grateful to the posters about Holy Basil and to Earthclinic!
Emotional Freedom Technique (Eft)
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 02/03/2013
★★★★★
I have used EFT for about 5 years and used it to help my niece relax at night before she went to sleep. I would tap lightly on her as she told me about her day. She was raised by her mom until she came to live with me, her mom had a lifestyle not suitable for a 4 yr old. So when the little girl moved in with me she had a few ODD behaviors. Like she constantly pulled at the crotch of her underwear, like she was frantically trying to get it not to touch her skin. She did something else as well that I can't remember. Anyway after a few weeks I noticed she didn't do those things anymore. She was more focused and paid better attention in school, just alot calmer. I also use it on my husband for relaxation purposes, he likes it. As for myself I use it almost everynight to get to sleep. It works and I love it!
Iodine
Posted by Sarah (Dallas, Texas) on 09/13/2012
★★★★★
I've been having such bad anxiety, that the muscles in the front of my neck are in pain for days at a time from the tension. I noticed that taking a few drops of Lugol's iodine in water gives complete and instant relief from the tension and pain. It's weird how fast it happens--I mean AS I am drinking the water!! I think perhaps, since tyrosine and iodine work together to make thyroid hormones, that the deficiency of iodine causes excess tyrosine, which is known to cause elevated heart rate and anxiety. Also, I have been taking SAMe daily for six years, for depression, and I took my usual 3 day break from it, and felt complete relief from the anxiety, which came back when I took another SAMe pill yesterday. So, I guess it's time to exchange the daily SAMe with N-acetyl cysteine for the purposes of replacing methylation lost from mercury toxicity.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Posted by Missy (Kansas City, Mo Usa) on 05/22/2012
★★★★★
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing. It can be done by looking left and right, hearing sounds in alternate ears left and right, crossing your arms and tapping your hands on opposite arms, or patting someone's legs left and right to help them. The idea is to stimulate the left and right hemispheres of the brain alternately while dealing with the trauma. I'm thinking it helps the emotional side of the brain and the logical side of the brain talk. You can read up on it on the net easily enough, but it's best that a therapist help adminster it for best results.
I heard that people in the 9/11 attack used EMDR with good results. I used it for getting past a rape and another invasive trauma. EMDR is the therapy that finally helped.
5-HTP
Posted by Gtijes (Allentown, Pa, Usa) on 08/29/2010
Does anyone know of a way to introduce something natural like 5-htp, and cut back on the prescription antidepressants? I wasn't sure if they interacted safely at all.
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Posted by Adrienne (Idaho) on 10/29/2020
Hello Angela,
Caricater mentions that taking Acetyl L-Carnitine can lead to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress, put simply, is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants that counter free radicals. We don't want free radicals, they can lead to cancer. Alpha Lipoic Acid is an antioxidant.
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Posted by Joseph A. (Stockton, Ca) on 11/07/2021 73 posts
Hi, I know this is a very old reply, however in your comment, you stated you took 50mg Acetylcarnitine, actually, I think you meant 500mg, they don't make 50mg, plus all the problems you had couldn't have been eliminated with 50mg, sure it's possible but improbable. My son has Severe Anxiety and he takes 500mg twice daily for 1.000mg. I will look into him taking more Safely. Thank you, Joseph
Holy Basil
Posted by Wydo (Ventura, CA) on 04/16/2009
★★★★★
Anxiety Remedies: A couple of years ago I started feeling anxious for no reason at all. It became worse and worse until I couldn't stand myself. My doctor gave me xanax to sleep at night but I still had that anxious feeling all the time. I tried no-flush niacin and that helped a little. Then I tried rhodiola and that helped a lot more. I went for several months until I found holy basil. I find it works the best and has a nice side benefit. I can have my tea and still sleep as long as I take my holy basil in the evening. So for me it counters the bad effects of caffeine. I still keep the rhodiola and niacin around for backup and take them in the morning sometimes but nothing replaces the holy basil.
Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Jared (Sydney, Austrailia ) on 03/05/2009
★★★★★
I suffer with social anxiety disorder, I'm anxious and have difficulty thinking clearly in general not just in anxiety situations.I got myself flaxseed oil and took a tablespoon.I felt better instantly. My thinking became a lot clearer and my usual confused anxious state diminished. It definitely has a significant effect on brain chemistry. I'll be taking it everyday now :)
5-HTP
Posted by Jc (Boston) on 07/07/2015
There is a good amount of research now showing that Serotonin does not cross the Blood brain barrier. So taking 5HTP will only boost the serotonin in the brain IF your Blood Brain Barrier is compromised. Not a good situation overall.
As mentioned above, too much serotonin can cause depression and anxiety. Again, not a good thing.
The best solution for anxiety and depression known to man right now has been around for ever. Exercise! This is not controversial. Doctors of all orientations agree.
Peanut Butter
Posted by Ryan (Lasalle, Quebec) on 02/05/2007
★★★★★
Peanut Butter cured a anxiety panic attack. When I am having a panic attack or feeling one coming on; I just eat 1 or 2 table spoons of peanut butter (right off the spoon) and I feel calm almost instantly.
Rhodiola
Posted by Margie (Upper Marlboro, MD) on 12/13/2006
★★★★★
I want to thank the person who said that Rhodiola was the best for anxiety attacks. I read the article and immediately searched the internet to find get more information regarding this vitamin. I then went out to get it for my symptoms and it worked. I feel normal again, before I was having a panic attack daily. I didn't know what triggered it, but I was suffering regularly. I also tried the 5HTP and I take them both together, the 5HTP helps with my stiffness in my joints and relaxes my body and mind. I take both daily and had not had any problems in three weeks. It feels good to be normal again.
L-Theanine
Posted by Hermano (Lisbon, Portugal) on 10/16/2006
★★★★★
L-Theanine is the best for a mild anxiety. also i tried before playing golf and the results are a four or five better score.this site of yours is the most informative and serious that i have found. thank you.
Alternatives to Benzos
Posted by sue (PNW) on 10/18/2021
Hi Joe,
I was tapered off a benzo which I depended on for sleep for way too many years. I had tried to reduce many times on my own, and couldn't, but with the help of a new "doctor, " actually a young nurse practitioner, we were successful. It took six months plus to slowly taper down to a very, very low dose which seemed almost microscopic, but then I just couldn't go any lower. She then prescribed Doxepin, a tricyclic anti-depressant at a low dose. At a dosage of 75 mg and up it treats depression, but they have found that a low dosage of 3 - 6 mgs helps with insomnia. It has helped me, a lot, I am off of the benzo and sleeping better, with a clearer head. I don't know if this will help your son with his issue, PTSD and benzos, but it might be another tool available for his tool kit.
I hope he has as good a clinician as my young ARNP.
5-HTP
Posted by Gord235 (Vancouver) on 10/24/2021
At the time, I had no idea that taking twice my regular dose would have such an adverse effect as 5HTP was described to me as a vita-nutrient. So to me, it was the same as taking a double dose of vitamin C.
Wormwood Combo
Posted by Rexine (United States) on 06/19/2019
★★★★★
I take wormwood for intrusive thoughts. They are gone. I only take one a day, but the dosage calls for more. The brand I use is a Wormwood Combination with Black Walnut leaf (Juglans nigra), Wormwood herb (Artemisia absinthium) Quassia (Quassia amara), Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) and Male Fern root (Aspidium filix-mas). I also took Lithium Orotate and it was very good, but the Wormwood is better. I am 65 years old and have had depression problems. That seems better but the anxiety and OCD seems to have kicked in. I was never bombarded with the intrusive thoughts until later in life. I will never be without Wormwood again.
Brahmi Ayurvedic Herbs
Posted by Reet (Vic) on 02/22/2017 1 posts
★★★★★
I have been experiencing shortness of breath and anxiety for some time. But recently the frequency of these attacks has increased and it started affecting me almost every day. This is so bad that I cant focus on anything but just dreading with fear when / what will trigger the attack. When I get my anxiety attack I feel I can't breath, my heart rate increases, my hands get very cold, body start shaking and my mind starts thinking that I am dying . It is very fearful state. In blood tests everything is fine. So my GP put me on some anti-depressant. which I don't want to take at-least until I have tried alternative method.
Thanks to Earth clinic it has helped me in this time. I have started making few changes in my diet and overall I can see improvements. Brahmi is one of the herbs which has helped me. I feel my breathing becomes easy almost within 15min of taking it.
Other things that have helped me are Folic complex 500mg, B12 1mg at night and ACV + baking soda.
This is my first post here. What I went thru in last few weeks was so bad that I felt to share my experiences with other who might be facing similar issues and this might help someone.
Ashwagandha
Posted by Kaylap (Abbotsford, Bc) on 02/03/2018 5 posts
My naturopath just started me on this. Fingers crossed it helps! I found that so far exercise has been the best remedy but hopefully the ashwagandha helps keep things level when I can't exercise.
Enzymes and Probiotics
Posted by Brittani (Pa) on 11/18/2014
★★★★★
For anxiety, improve your digestion system. The gut is the second brain. Haven't you ever heard of the gut/brain connection? If you are not digesting your foods, this can wreak havoc on the entire body. I was getting very anxious with heart palpitations before and ever since I improved my digestive system by taking digestive enzymes and probiotics, I have been calm as can be.
