7 Xanax Alternatives: How Else You Can Help Treat Your Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns in the United States, impacting more than 40 million people 9. Its effects can be far-reaching, often affecting daily activities and diminishing an individual’s overall quality of life. Among the array of treatments, Xanax has emerged as a frequently prescribed medication to address anxiety. Still, it’s vital to recognize that this is just one among many anxiolytic medications and one of many options to treat generalized anxiety disorder.

What Are the Side Effects of Journavx?

At Talkspace he is a part of the Peer Consultation Team and a member of the Clinical Media team. 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. Some people shouldn’t take Xanax too, including women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Discover more about how trauma-focused therapy works, its benefits, and how to get started with coping strategies. It activates certain serotonin receptors in the brain to create a feeling of relaxation.

This empowers individuals to take control of their mental health in diverse ways, from dietary shifts to mindfulness practices. Xanax, or alprazolam, is a prescription medication that is part of a class of medications called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines all have a basic chemical structure that increases the activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Valerian

If you’re looking for safe anxiety treatment, Brightside can match you with a licensed provider to prescribe you medication that’s delivered right to your door. We’ll use your data to find the right medication so you can get you back to being you. Withdrawal symptoms are different for everyone, but Xanax withdrawal may include headaches, blurred vision, tremors, sweating, anxiety, panic, loss of appetite, and insomnia. It’s important to remember that the best type of anxiety medication is the one that works for you.

• Whether it’s walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, dancing, or weightlifting, personal preference plays a crucial role in adherence.
• “The fact that Journavx may be used instead of an opioid could have a meaningful lessening of opioid abuse and misuse as well as a reduced incidence of opioid use disorder,” he added.
• L-theanine is a non-dietary amino acid found predominantly in green tea leaves.
• This shows people how to reduce the intensity of their anxiety symptoms and manage stress over time.
• Other antidepressant medications used to treat anxiety not listed here include Lexapro (escitalopram), Prozac (fluoxetine), and buspirone.
• We can also provide advice on other ways to steer clear of Xanax addiction.

Meditation can also stimulate the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, all of which play roles in the mitigation of anxiety (62). Neuroimaging studies have shown that consistent meditation can lead to changes in the structure and function of the brain. The gut and the brain communicate through multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, neurotransmitters, and the immune system (51-53). As research progresses, there’s growing evidence linking adequate B vitamin intake with improved mood and reduced anxiety. Omega-3s also play a protective role against the onset of anxiety and depression, particularly when consumed in adequate amounts from an early age (47). Clinical trials have also shown promise in using omega-3 supplements to alleviate anxiety (43).

Other Natural Remedies for Anxiety Symptoms

As a result, it presents a promising natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs like Xanax. This includes drowsiness and dizziness, and even more severe issues like respiratory depression and memory problems (1). In today’s fast-paced world, feelings of anxiety and overwhelming stress are common. Our blog is a space dedicated to sharing information and expert advice to help you improve your overall mental health.

• Medication is often used with other therapies, such as psychotherapy, to treat anxiety disorders effectively.
• Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
• Its ability to alleviate anxiety and stress is backed by a wealth of scientific evidence, and it’s an attractive natural alternative to medications like Xanax.
• Constituents of valerian root also appear to increase serotonin receptor activity, though the specific compounds responsible for this effect — aside from valerenic acid — remain unclear 19.
• Given the potential side effects and risk of dependency on Xanax and other anxiety medications, many people look for natural alternatives.
• 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.

Xanax Alternatives Compared

Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health-wellness contributors; they are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices. Articles substitute for xanax 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. Discover how psychiatrists work with their patients to accurately diagnose mental health conditions with various comprehensive assessments.

Would Journavx Work for Chronic Pain?

And if you stop Xanax suddenly, serious withdrawal symptoms can occur. Due to these risks, Xanax has a boxed warning from the FDA, its most serious warning for medications. Xanax is a benzodiazepine, a type of central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Benzos as they’re called, boost a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It also relaxes your muscles, creating a calming effect in your mind and body.

Natural Alternatives to Xanax for Relieving Anxiety

The oral tablet is usually taken over 2 to 3 doses a day for anxiety. Discover why ketamine is growing in popularity as a possible treatment option for those with depression. It primarily interacts with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in the brain, which regulates the body’s stress response.