CBT works by helping you identify, understand, and stop negative thought cycles. If you’re interested in CBT and medication management, you can take Talkiatry’s online assessment to get matched with one of our doctors. We’re a national psychiatry practice that provides virtual in-network are. If Xanax is being used to treat anxiety-related disorders, a much safer and equally effective natural alternative is therapy.

In just 2 minutes, you can speak with an admissions specialist, verify your insurance, and explore treatment options that work for you. AddictionResource aims to present the most accurate, trustworthy, and up-to-date medical content to our readers. Our team does their best for our readers to help them stay informed about vital healthcare decisions. 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 metabolism and other vital processes in the body.

Antidepressants, herbs, supplements, vitamins, and minerals can also be used effectively to relieve anxiety. Buspirone — often referred to by its brand name, BuSpar — is another alternative to Xanax for managing anxiety long-term. This medication is commonly prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Long-term Xanax use is also linked to serious side effects, including memory issues, loss of coordination, worsening depression or anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

• There is a wide variety of herbal compounds, amino acids, and other supplements that can be tried to treat different mental health conditions.
• But if you’re struggling with chronic stress and anxiety, I wouldn’t recommend high doses of caffeine.
• It takes longer to act, i.e., several weeks compared to Alprazolam (a benzodiazepine), but among Buspirone vs. Xanax, Buspirone is more effective for long-term treatment of anxiety.
• The most common side effect that comes with Xanax is daytime grogginess and fatigue because of the ways in which it slows your central nervous system.
• Like Xanax, Klonopin also acts on the GABA receptors in the CNS, but the effects of Klonopin last longer when Klonopin vs. Xanax are compared.

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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. For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here. Like SSRIs, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) have a lower risk of misuse, dependence, and addiction.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Alternative to Xanax for Your Anxiety

Ashwagandha is one of the main herbs I took to reduce stress and anxiety as I came off my psychiatric medications. Inhaling lavender essential oil has been linked to reduced stress and anxiety, and even improved sleep (16). This makes it unique, as it calms the mind without causing drowsiness, a common side effect of many anti-anxiety medications. Working with a therapist generally involves regular talk therapy sessions where you discuss your feelings, problem-solving strategies, and coping mechanisms to help with your condition. Xanax works by binding to specific receptors in the brain that are sensitive to GABA and enhancing GABA’s effect on them.

Xanax Alternatives Compared

They also found that about 67% of the participants saw improvements in sleep, but the improvements did fluctuate over time. The researchers indicate that further research is needed to fully understand the effects of CBD on both anxiety and sleep. Researchers found that CBD reduced anxiety scores in nearly 80% of the study participants. Fast-acting benzodiazepines exert their effect quickly, and a person will feel this effect less the next day. However, doctors prescribe these only in special circumstances, as a person could experience rebound insomnia or amnesia. In some circumstances, a doctor may prescribe fast-acting benzodiazepines if a person struggles to fall asleep.

• In the next sections, I’ll explore these natural Xanax alternatives in depth.
• The longer-lasting effects can provide a more steady degree of anxiety relief and reduce the chance of withdrawal when stopping.
• With patience, persistence, and the right support, it’s possible to achieve significant improvements in anxiety symptoms and overall quality of life.
• That means that other types of medication are better choices when it comes to treating anxiety.

SNRIs avoid the controlled substance designation and provide a long-acting steady state of relief. A lower risk than most SSRIs of sexual dysfunction and weight gain could be appealing, too. While Klonopin does not avoid these problems, it does have an advantage over how Xanax works.

The potential for side effects with alprazolam, other benzodiazepines, or other anxiolytic drug categories could be a compelling reason for you to look for other solutions. Counseling, otc substitute for xanax specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can be a worthwhile non-pharmacologic approach to anxiety treatment. As we’ve explored in this comprehensive guide, there are numerous effective alternatives to Xanax for anxiety management. A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Its Effects and Uses is a question many people ask when first confronting their anxiety symptoms. Xanax, also known by its generic name alprazolam, belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that helps calm the brain and nervous system.

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Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions. 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. Get an evaluation and prescription online from a licensed psychiatric provider to improve your well-being. Cymbalta (duloxetine) is used to treat major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder and … Although used to treat anxiety, trazodone may not treat panic attacks as effectively as Xanax.

Researchers have found that certain strains can alleviate anxiety and improve overall mood (57). Some studies even suggest that individuals with a balanced gut microbiome have a healthier physiological response to stress, which includes a more regulated cortisol (stress hormone) response (56). Many studies show that they significantly reduce brain inflammation; improve memory, mood and cognition; and protect against mild cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that chamomile extract can help reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (28).

Anxiety Attack Hotline: 24/7 Support for Your Mental Health

Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen. Xanax is the brand name of alprazolam, which is a type of benzodiazepine. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not approved Xanax as a treatment for insomnia. An alternative treatment for insomnia is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating people with substance use disorders. Taking any of these natural remedies could potentially help to reduce anxiety. The great thing about natural remedies is that they tend to be cheaper and safer. However, it’s still not recommended to experiment with these remedies without consulting a specialist as they may cause allergy or other unpredictable effects.

There are other safe options for managing anxiety that may work better for you. Physical dependence can begin within a few days of taking the drug, even when taking it as prescribed, depending on the individual and their proclivity to develop physical dependence. If you’re seeking Xanax alternatives to help manage your symptoms of anxiety, Talkspace can help. Several forms of therapy are used to successfully manage anxiety — often without the use of medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based therapy are 2 types of therapy for anxiety known for their efficacy in reducing symptoms.

According to prior research, Phenibut is a central depressant and analog of the inhibitory neurotransmitter y-aminobutyric acid, which is a fancy technical term for GABA. With that said, I do have some moments of anxiety / jittery feelings (pretty much everyone does, right?), usually when I load up on caffeine or pre workout supplements. However, the FDA released a statement in November, 2017, effectively issuing a public health advisory on Kratom. If you’re just starting out with Kratom as an alternative to Xanax, I would suggest you stick to a low dose for the first few tries.

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. In summary, natural alternatives offer a multifaceted approach to handling anxiety and stress. There are ways to protect your brain from alcohol, but you’re better off avoiding it completely or significantly reducing your consumption if you’re trying to reduce anxiety. In many instances, limiting or abstaining from alcohol can be a constructive step towards managing anxiety, presenting itself as a natural lifestyle alternative to medications like Xanax.