Some supplements have been studied, but there aren’t many with strong evidence to back up their use for anxiety. Lavender oil has some evidence to support its use for treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). One study[1] found it to be equally effective to a benzodiazepine in treating GAD. However, more studies are necessary to confirm this finding and to explore lavender oil’s possible efficacy in other anxiety disorders. Other reviews support the use of supplements such as kava[2] and inositol,[3] though the former carries a possible risk of inducing hepatotoxicity, and the latter does not have as much evidence to warrant its use as an anxiolytic. Magnesium also has some promising evidence[4] for lowering symptoms of anxiety. Apart from supplements, one meta-analysis[5] ranked different interventions by their effectiveness in reducing symptoms of anxiety.
References
- ^H Woelk, S SchläfkeA multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorderPhytomedicine.(2010 Feb)
- ^Lakhan SE, Vieira KFNutritional and herbal supplements for anxiety and anxiety-related disorders: systematic reviewNutr J.(2010 Oct 7)
- ^Saeed SA, Bloch RM, Antonacci DJHerbal and dietary supplements for treatment of anxiety disordersAm Fam Physician.(2007 Aug 15)
- ^Boyle NB, Lawton C, Dye LThe Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Subjective Anxiety and Stress-A Systematic ReviewNutrients.(2017 Apr 26)
- ^Wipfli BM, Rethorst CD, Landers DMThe anxiolytic effects of exercise: a meta-analysis of randomized trials and dose-response analysisJ Sport Exerc Psychol.(2008 Aug)