Therapy helps with anxiety, and can be an effective alternative to Xanax or a complement to Xanax or another medication. 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. However, by virtue of its synthetic origin, alprazolam is much more potent than any GABA agonists that occur in nature (e.g. L-theanine and constituents of valerian root). Comparing Xanax to natural GABA agonists is like comparing apples to oranges. The information in this article is for education and informational purposes only and should never be substituted for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.
- Buspirone — often referred to by its brand name, BuSpar — is another alternative to Xanax for managing anxiety long-term.
- It also relaxes your muscles, creating a calming effect in your mind and body.
- This means that it doesn’t have to be taken as many times during the day, which reduces the risk of misuse and addiction.
- When considering the best choice of anxiety medication, any underlying conditions and/or coexisting mental health issues must be taken into account.
- Getting adequate sleep is extremely important for mental health, but sometimes anxiety makes it hard to fall or stay asleep.
- But, it can cause various gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and nervous system-related side effects.
- It has recently been approved for long-term use, so it is safer and likely to come with fewer side effects when compared to Xanax.
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Zoloft (sertraline) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs treat various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). SSRIs take longer to work than Xanax and are considered a long-term treatment for anxiety.
The best thing you can do is consult with an appropriate medical professional. Use the insurance eligibility checker in our online assessment to learn more. Experiencing a Xanax addiction is challenging, and it may feel overwhelming to consider switching from Xanax to an alternative on your own. Some people find individual therapy to be the most helpful, while others prefer group or family therapy. Practicing meditation can help with anxiety by strengthening the ability to direct focus away from racing thoughts and distressful sensations.
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Transparent Labs products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. A simple way to stimulate the vagus nerve is by practicing the “Valsalva maneuver.” To perform this, take a deep breath and hold it while bearing down as if you are straining to have a bowel movement. Hold this position for about seconds before gently releasing your breath. This technique can help activate the vagus nerve and enhance parasympathetic activity, thus alleviating anxiety.
Antidepressants, herbs, supplements, vitamins, and minerals can also be used effectively to relieve anxiety. Discontinuing the use of long-term benzodiazepines like Xanax should happen under the supervision of a doctor. Although medical detox cannot prevent withdrawal symptoms, specialists can help reduce the severity of symptoms, alleviate discomfort, and develop a treatment plan. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only otc xanax replacement and should not be construed as medical advice.
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This can be extremely important for people who have addictive personalities or who have a history of substance abuse. After all, drug addiction itself often causes a lot of anxiety, so it may be counterproductive for many people to use alprazolam, Valium, or other similar drugs to treat anxiety. Here is a rundown of some of the top natural treatments that are frequently used for fear. Alternatives to Xanax for the treatment of anxiety with a lower risk of addiction are available. While some benzodiazepine alternatives offer a reduced risk of dependence, non-benzodiazepine anxiolytics, SSRIs, SNRIs, beta-blockers and antihistamines present non-addictive options. SNRIs, such as venlafaxine (Effexor), impact both serotonin and norepinephrine levels.
However, it’s still not recommended to experiment with these remedies without consulting a specialist as they may cause allergy or other unpredictable effects. The reason why this herb is said to alleviate anxiety is that it increases serotonin and decreases cortisol. Increasing serotonin levels is the fundamental underlying principle that is used with antidepressants. So, the fact that ashwagandha can do this naturally is potentially beneficial for anxiety sufferers. Valium also has a similar mechanism of action and is prescribed for the same conditions as other benzodiazepines such as Alprazolam. The half-life gap of Valium vs. Xanax is very big; Valium has a longer half-life, i.e., 48 hours, but it starts its action slightly faster.
- If you’ve been using benzodiazepines for a long time, this process may take several months.
- While medications and natural supplements can be effective, lifestyle and behavioral changes are essential for managing anxiety sustainably over the long term.
- Treating anxiety by own can worsen the condition and lead to the appearance of unpredictable adverse effects.
- Magnesium is a mineral found in various green vegetables and some lentils and supports bone mineralization, protein building, muscular contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and immunity.
- Benzodiazepines often cause the user to become physically dependent, possibly leading to withdrawal symptoms.
- Non-pharmacological interventions, including therapy and lifestyle changes, should be considered in conjunction with medication.
Lifestyle and Behavioral Adjustments for Managing Anxiety
There are several similar medications available that are considered safer to take over long periods of time. It can also be dangerous to attempt to quit Xanax without tapering off in a healthcare setting. It is a very fast-acting drug, causing effects within an hour of taking it.
It all depends on the individual situation and the different side effects of alprazolam and its substitutes. 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 metabolism and other vital processes in the body. Supplementing vitamin B1 (thiamine) has been shown to ameliorate anxiety, nightmares, chronic fatigue, insomnia, depression, anorexia, nausea, headache, among others.
Effects of Valium do not show variations with race, health conditions, diseases, or use of alcohol. Our staff are highly trained with dual mental health and substance use licensing. Our medical staff includes an ASAM certified addiction psychiatrist & an addiction-trained primary care physician.
Serotonin-modulator antidepressants are considered some of the safest long-term alternatives to Xanax. 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. Many of Xanax’s side effects are also experienced as withdrawal symptoms after stopping Xanax too quickly. If you’re looking for a safe AND effective over the counter Xanax alternative, these are DEFINITELY your best options. I’ve done a ton of research on the subject and tested dozens of anti-anxiety supplements, and the vast majority are garbage. Our blog is a space dedicated to sharing information and expert advice to help you improve your overall mental health.
Considerations When Exploring Alternatives
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. 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. Magnesium supplements come in several forms; some are well-absorbed, some are not. Sadly, most magnesium supplements contain an inferior form –magnesium oxide – which has poor bioavailability 14.