Top Alternatives to Xanax for Managing Anxiety

When other thoughts come up, you accept them without judgment and turn back to what you are focusing on. 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. Mechanistically, caffeic acid is a potent antioxidant that fights inflammation and may protect against cancer 25. Moreover, caffeic acids in lemon balm appear to inhibit an enzyme called GABA transaminase, which is responsible for metabolizing GABA to succinate semialdehyde.

Xanax is a benzodiazepine medication that has the potential for misuse, dependence, and addiction. While benzodiazepines are still commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders, there are better options that are generally safer, with a lower risk of addiction. Alprazolam, the active ingredient in Xanax, is a benzodiazepine first marketed in 1981. It works by modulating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS).

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. Meditation can also stimulate the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, all of which play roles in the mitigation of anxiety (62).

Exploring Non-Addictive Anxiety Medications

You consent to receive SMS notifications and promotions from Paid Advertiser. He is uniquely Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Adult as well as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. At Talkspace he is a part of the Peer Consultation Team and a member of the Clinical Media team. Get an evaluation and prescription online from a licensed psychiatric provider to improve your well-being. It activates certain serotonin receptors in the brain to create a feeling of relaxation. For anyone struggling with anxiety, the need for fast relief can be overwhelming.

Major nootropic constituents of lemon balm are caffeic acid and caffeic acid derivatives, notably rosmarinic acid and ursolic acid 24. Despite having a similar name as the stimulant alkaloid caffeine, caffeic acids are unrelated to the former in their structure and mechanisms of action. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a long-living flowering plant with a naturally sweet scent that has been used for centuries in perfumes. In contrast, the plant roots commonly extracted for herbal remedies have a pungent, putrid odor that’s tough to subdue with masking agents and flavoring. The main bioactive constituents in ashwagandha are withanolides, notably withaferin-A. Since GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, an increase in GABA receptor activity elicits anticonvulsant, hypnotic, muscle-relaxant, and ataxic effects.

Treatment & Support

There are various deep breathing techniques, such as the method (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8), box breathing, and paced respiration. You’ll need to experiment to find which technique works best for you. Deep breathing exercises, on the other hand, stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which counteracts stress and promotes relaxation (63). Shallow or rapid breathing is a typical response during stressful situations, activating the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) nervous system. Deep breathing exercises, sometimes referred to as diaphragmatic or abdominal breathing, have been practiced across various cultures and traditions as a method to calm the mind.

Your addiction does not have to define who you are.

TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of your brain that regulate your mood. The pulses are delivered via a magnetic coil placed over your scalp. Therapists may use TMS to treat generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder. Pristiq shares some side effects with Xanax, including dry mouth and sleepiness. Nausea, constipation, and decreased appetite are more common with Pristiq. Zoloft is indicated for panic disorder, PTSD, and social anxiety disorder.

There are several over-the-counter (OTC) products, supplements that people use to help manage anxiety symptoms. Some of these include L-Theanine, melatonin, magnesium, chamomile, and kava. There are a wide variety of nonaddictive anxiety medications that have proven effective at treating anxiety disorders, often just as effective as Xanax, with less risk of dependence. Individualized treatment plans, addressing underlying conditions and incorporating a holistic approach to anxiety management are key for success in treating anxiety while avoiding Xanax dependence. By broadening the understanding of available alternatives, individuals and healthcare professionals can make informed decisions that prioritize both anxiety relief and long-term well-being. Numerous studies show that L-theanine can simultaneously enhance mental acuity and reduce stress 6.

Acupuncture for anxiety

• These drugs block the effects of the stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline.
• Here is a rundown of some of the top natural treatments that are frequently used for fear.
• Yoga is excellent for not only mental health but physical health too.
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• Indeed, there is substantial evidence that lemon balm extract has a potent calming effect by acting on GABA 21.

When you talk to your doctor, make sure to disclose any history of substance use disorder or drug misuse. All our psychiatrists (and all psychiatrists in general) are medical doctors with additional training in mental health. They can prescribe any medication they think can help their patients. In order to find out which medications might be appropriate, they need to conduct a full evaluation. That means that other types of medication are better choices when it comes to treating anxiety.

Regular exercise can help regulate and reduce the release of cortisol, the primary stress hormone, promoting a more balanced emotional state (69). Yoga also stimulates the production of endorphins, which can lead to a reduction in stress and anxiety (67). The best way to know if you’re on the right track is by using the EmWave2 device. It’s a biofeedback device that assists you in pacing your breathing. There are various forms of meditation, including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), transcendental meditation, and loving-kindness meditation.

Antidepressants

Pitts, who had earlier pleaded guilty to six charges, including conspiracy to supply Class C drugs, was described by Judge John Butterfield as “the beating heart of this enterprise”. Get started on your anxiety treatment journey with our online assessment. Therapy helps with anxiety, and can be an effective alternative to Xanax or a complement to Xanax or another medication. When it comes to anxiety or medication dependence, a multifaceted approach can provide the most holistic relief. Having already explored the potential drawbacks of Xanax and the encouraging alternatives available, it’s equally crucial to be vigilant about the more insidious signs of addiction.

How Do I Soothe Anxiety and Manage Medication Dependence?

Throughout this article, we’ll detail how prescription xanax alternatives drugs like Xanax work and further detail these five Xanax alternatives. This is another herbal Xanax alternative, also referred to as Indian pennywort. Indians have used it for thousands of years to treat anxiety, wounds, leprosy, lupus, fever, diarrhea, et cetera. The exact way through which this herb produces anxiolysis is not well understood. Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health-wellness contributors; they are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices. Articles are extensively reviewed by our team of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists of various specialties) to ensure content is accurate and on par with current industry standards.

By modulating the activity of NMDA receptors in the brain, magnesium can help regulate neural excitability, preventing overstimulation and promoting calmness (32). Along with its anxiety-reducing properties, chamomile also exhibits antidepressant activity (30). Chamomile contains apigenin, which is an antioxidant that binds to certain receptors in the brain, which then promotes relaxation and reduces insomnia. Its mild sedative effect is one reason why chamomile tea is a popular bedtime drink (27).

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Researchers have found that Valerian reduces the physiological symptoms of anxiety, such as palpitations and trembling (6). For instance, combining it with lemon balm or valerian root can provide a more potent calming effect. It was one of the first herbal remedies I took many years ago to manage my anxiety.

Halcion is a benzodiazepine medication that is primarily prescribed to temporarily treat symptoms of insomnia. If you’re considering stopping the use of Xanax, seek the medical advice of your doctor and ask what they recommend as an alprazolam alternative. Anyone who takes Xanax will want to be aware of the drug’s side effects. Mild side effects tend to be more common, but one of the most serious side effects is the risk of addiction.

In your brain, there are communication centers called neurons that send messages to each other using chemicals called neurotransmitters. One of these neurotransmitters is called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It helps calm down the activity of neurons, which can prevent feelings of anxiety. Alternatives to Xanax include SSRIs, SNRIS, and propranolol, which don’t have the same potential for misuse. Natural Xanax alternatives aren’t always clinically proven to work as a substitute. Buspirone (Buspar) belongs to a group of medications known as azapirones.