9 Alternatives To Xanax: Natural & Prescription

Even short bouts of physical activity can make a significant difference in your overall stress and reduce anxiety symptoms. Remember, consistency is more important than intensity when it comes to exercise for anxiety relief. One of the simplest and most effective natural methods to alleviate anxiety is through deep breathing exercises. Deep breathing works by activating the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for promoting relaxation and reducing stress 26. When practiced consistently, it can help decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure, and provide a sense of calm. Clinical trials of lemon balm extract have shown this herb can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by as much as 30% 22.

GABA receptor activity subsequently modulates the function of several different neurotransmitter systems to engender a restful, calm state of mind. Rooted in a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors, it’s a condition that can drastically reduce one’s quality of life. But what amplifies its impact is its deceptive nature; it often remains cloaked, concealed behind daily stresses, making diagnosis and treatment a challenge. Mindfulness is a practice that revolves around cultivating a calm and open awareness of the present moment. It involves directing full attention toward one’s internal experiences, such as thoughts, feelings, and sensations while attuning to the external environment.

Vistaril (hydroxyzine) vs Xanax (alprazolam): Comparing medications

For example, a visual meditation can help you focus on a peaceful place you imagine, such as a shady spot by a beach. Yoga also incorporates mindfulness and has shown to be effective at relieving anxiety. Psychodynamic therapy aims to uncover the repressed thoughts and feelings behind your anxiety. Sessions focus on digging into your past experiences, so you can identify unresolved conflicts and work through them.

Other Natural Remedies for Anxiety Symptoms

Addiction Resource is not a healthcare provider, nor does it claim to offer sound medical advice to anyone. Addiction Resource does not favor or support any specific recovery center, nor do we claim to ensure the quality, validity, or effectiveness of any particular treatment center. No one should assume the information provided on Addiction Resource as authoritative and should always defer to the advice and care provided by a medical doctor. This can be extremely important for people who have addictive personalities or who have a history of substance abuse.

Xanax alternatives for anxiety relief

Importantly, patients should always consult with their healthcare provider before switching medications or attempting new treatments. The journey to mental well-being is deeply personal, and finding the right treatment can be transformative. Nootropic supplements — commonly referred to as “smart drugs” — can improve cognitive function and reduce anxiety. Some studies say they work by enhancing brain health and neurotransmitter function. These drugs work by acting on two key messenger chemicals in the body, adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Understanding the Link Between Trauma and Addiction

By reducing REM sleep duration and frequency, Xanax may help users get more deep sleep. Since Xanax targets GABAergic transmission exclusively, natural ingredients with similar pharmacology can also induce relaxation, improve sleep, and foster feelings of well-being. Throughout this article, we’ll detail how prescription drugs like Xanax work and further detail these five Xanax alternatives. Moreover, understanding the potential pitfalls of medications like Xanax can inform more empowered treatment decisions. When it comes to anxiety or medication dependence, a multifaceted approach can provide the most holistic relief. Weighing these drawbacks against the immediate relief Xanax offers brings to light the pressing need for alternatives.

• Instead of being incorporated into proteins like other amino acids in the body, theanine exerts nootropic effects by crossing the blood-brain barrier and regulating brainwaves and GABA receptors 5.
• While it’s generally effective and safe, Xanax use is not suitable for everyone.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered the first-line therapeutic treatment for anxiety.
• As a result, individuals can experience decreased feelings of stress and anxiety (68).

Expert solutions to optimize your prostate health.

Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or yoga, can enhance the effects of natural supplements and further stabilize your mood. Remember, this is a gradual process, and being patient with yourself is key. By combining these strategies, you can create a comprehensive routine that supports long-term mental wellness and reduces reliance on prescription medications.

Regular mindfulness practices — such as deep breathing exercises, guided meditation, and journaling can lower cortisol levels and improve emotional regulation. SNRIs help manage anxiety by preventing the quick reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Xanax binds to GABA receptors to amplify the calming effects of the neurotransmitter. This slows neuron activity down, which creates a relaxing effect and eases anxiety symptoms. This type of brain activity leads to symptoms like an increased heart rate and hypervigilance. Before taking Xanax or other medication for insomnia, a person should consider CBT.

AUD Medications: The Medications to Stop Drinking Alcohol

The best way to know if you’re on the right track is by using the EmWave2 device. Deep breathing exercises, on the other hand, stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which counteracts stress and promotes relaxation (63). There are various forms of meditation, including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), transcendental meditation, and loving-kindness meditation. It can take some exploration to find which method resonates with you. Like physical exercise, the benefits of meditation are often most pronounced with regular and consistent practice.

Despite the popularity of Xanax, many people look for alternative prescription medications that offer anxiety relief without the same risks of dependency and withdrawal. Long-term Xanax use is also linked to serious side effects, including memory issues, loss of coordination, worsening depression or anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Be sure to carefully follow a healthcare provider’s instructions on how to take the medication. Beta-blockers are typically taken to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).7 However, they are also sometimes used to treat the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as shaking or sweating. Two commonly prescribed beta-blockers for this off-label use are atenolol and propranolol.

The symptoms of Xanax withdrawal can be severe, especially when stopping the drug abruptly.3 Quitting after prolonged use can be dangerous, with withdrawal lasting weeks to months. The information in this article is for education and informational purposes only and should never be substituted for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.

Non-addictive Anxiety Medication Options

Each of these medications or supplements presents a different avenue for anxiety treatment, with varying mechanisms of action. They illustrate the broad landscape of possibilities that exist beyond the confines of Xanax and other benzodiazepines. As we delve deeper, we’ll uncover 10 promising non-addictive medications that offer a safer sanctuary for those battling anxiety. The quest for mental peace shouldn’t come with strings attached, and these alternatives aim to provide just that.

Although the choice of switching to natural over the counter Xanax alternatives ultimately lies with the patients, the doctor’s insight on the best course of action should come into play. Deficiency in vitamins has been shown to be a precipitating factor for the development of psychiatric illnesses and dull response to antipsychotics. Thiamine acts as a cofactor in carbohydrate alternative to xanax metabolism and other vital processes in the body.

Medications like sertraline (Zoloft) and escitalopram (Lexapro) increase serotonin levels in the brain, offering a non-addictive alternative to Xanax. Xanax is unequivocally an effective prescription medication for treating anxiety and panic disorders 2. It also alters wakefulness and sleep-wake cycles by regulating brainwave activity. Research suggests that Xanax significantly decreases the length of rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep stages and the frequency of REM burst activity 3. REM sleep is when dreaming typically occurs and paradoxically exhibits similar neurophysiology to being awake. In fact, energy use by the brain during REM sleep is commensurate with energy use during waking hours 4.