They should also avoid taking more than one product that contains any type of sedative. Please note that this is only a partial list of possible side effects. A person should speak with their doctor before taking Xanax, as it can interact with other types of medication.
Make time to get a full 7 to 9 hours per night and follow the same sleep schedule every day. To fall asleep, practice anxiety-relieving breathing and mindfulness techniques. Effexor isn’t a controlled substance like Xanax, so there’s no risk of dependence. 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. A treatment center will attempt to verify your health insurance benefits and/or necessary authorizations on your behalf.
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Working with a mental health professional through CBT is a great way to address the root cause of your anxiety — often while you treat symptoms with medication. While medications and natural supplements can be effective, lifestyle and behavioral changes are essential for managing anxiety sustainably over the long term. It increases the levels of calming neurotransmitters in the brain – such as GABA, serotonin, and dopamine – to regulate mood and reduce stress.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Patient perspectives on non-addictive anxiety medications are mixed. Reviews from Reddit users include positive comments about propranolol and Buspar (buspirone) when it comes to managing generalized anxiety and panic attacks. Others benefit from hydroxyzine but dislike the sleepiness they feel while taking it.
There are several alternatives to consider for people with a history of substance abuse and those concerned about Xanax’s side effects. Every year, doctors in the U.S. write millions of prescriptions for the powerful sedative Xanax or its generic equivalent, alprazolam. That’s true because this medication is quite beneficial for the relief of serious anxiety. However, Xanax use comes with some significant drawbacks, including risks for dependence and full-blow addiction. Are there safer alternatives that can help you avoid the need for Xanax addiction treatment?
Many of Xanax’s side effects are also experienced as withdrawal symptoms after stopping Xanax too quickly. Even someone taking low doses may experience withdrawal after stopping the use of the drug. While it might offer short-term relief from anxiety for some individuals, the long-term relationship between alcohol and anxiety is more complicated. Keep in mind that individuals metabolize caffeine at different rates and have varying thresholds for its effects.
This brain chemical plays a key role in mood and sleep, so increasing its availability improves your mood and reduces anxiety symptoms. A 2020 study found that probiotics could be an effective additional treatment option, alongside traditional antianxiety medication. The study notes that, because anxiety is often linked with sleep disorders, alleviating anxiety symptoms may also improve sleep quality. All our psychiatrists (and all psychiatrists in general) are medical doctors with additional training in mental health.
What are the Best Alternative Medications for Anxiety?
Some of the commonly cited herbal options are chamomile, valerian root, lavender, and kava. Over-the-counter remedies like the amino acid L-Theanine, melatonin, and magnesium are also frequently recommended as alternative anxiety treatments. Xanax is a common brand name for alprazolam, a medication prescribed to help treat panic and anxiety disorders.
Reasons To Find Xanax Alternatives
It’s not as strong as Xanax, but it does still carry many of the same side effects and dependency risks. It can also be dangerous to attempt to quit Xanax without tapering off in a healthcare setting. Alcohol also disrupts the blood-brain barrier, and increases inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain.
Natural Alternatives to Xanax
That’s because, while they’re effective at managing anxiety symptoms, many are only meant for short-term use. The longer they’re used, the less effective they become as your body builds up tolerance. Several herbal treatments and over-the-counter or holistic medicines are believed to help manage anxiety symptoms.
- But it also has powerful side effects and serious risks of dependence.
- They act as agonists to GABA and help with the influx of chloride ions into neurons resulting in a stabilization and hyperpolarization effect on the cell membrane.
- It’s crucial to consult with a health-care professional before starting any holistic treatment.
- The great thing about natural remedies is that they tend to be cheaper and safer.
- Still, medication may be needed if you experience high levels of distress or if the anxiety has led to substance misuse, suicidal thoughts, or depression.
- CBT works by helping you identify, understand, and stop negative thought cycles.
People sometimes notice heightened anxiety symptoms in the first few weeks of taking them. Like SSRIs, SNRIs can cause withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking them. Some users report that SNRI withdrawal tends to be worse than SSRI withdrawal. Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are similar to SSRIs. The biggest difference when comparing SSRIs vs SNRIs is that SNRIs increase levels of norepinephrine as well as serotonin. Increasing both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain can decrease anxiety, boost mood, and even help with chronic pain related to anxiety.
The misconception that meditation is only for religious people is fading. Meditation can be done by anyone and can provide many mental health benefits. Natural treatments can range from movement therapy to herbal supplements. Lifestyle changes can go a long way in managing short-term anxiety or stress. Zoloft may be an alternative to Xanax for those who experience both anxiety and depression or who have a co-occurring substance use disorder. In doing so, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs) can help with mood regulation, sleep, and emotional health.
Therefore, lemon balm extract is a natural Xanax alternative that putatively synergizes with other natural alternatives like valerian root and L-theanine. Nonetheless, valerian root tea and supplements are worth a try if you’re looking for a natural alternative to Xanax to help manage anxiety. If you’re considering natural Xanax alternatives, L-theanine should be near the top of your list. L-theanine is a non-dietary amino acid found predominantly in green tea leaves. Connect with experienced healthcare professionals who can guide you through personalized treatment options and tips for managing your anxiety. This shows people how to reduce the intensity of their anxiety symptoms and manage stress over time.
A more straightforward summary is that Xanax, along with other benzodiazepines like Valium, enhances the effects of the GABA your body naturally produces. GABA receptor activity subsequently modulates the function of several different neurotransmitter systems to engender a restful, calm state of mind. If there is a teenager in your life struggling with their emotional and mental health, consider psychotherapy methods developed specifically for teens. It’s also important not to stop using Xanax without consulting your healthcare provider because this can lead to withdrawal or worsening symptoms.
A balanced diet can support brain health, reduce inflammation, and regulate the activity of neurotransmitters. Regular exercise and a balanced diet are effective and natural ways to manage anxiety. This may reduce cortisol production, helping to lower stress levels, and increase serotonin and GABA levels to create a more relaxed and calm mental state. This non-sedative alternative to xanax effect makes L-theanine a gentler alternative to medications like Xanax which may cause sleepiness and dependency. Studies have shown that L-theanine can reduce stress responses — such as increased cortisol levels (a hormone linked to stress) — without causing drowsiness, making it suitable for daily use.
If you want to explore trying antidepressants or another kind of medication to treat your anxiety symptoms, take Talkiatry’s quick online assessment. You will be matched with one of our psychiatrists, who can work with you to decide what treatment path makes sense for you. Xanax works by binding to specific receptors in the brain that are sensitive to GABA and enhancing GABA’s effect on them. In other words, it boosts the power of that brake pedal, making it even more effective at calming down the activity of neurons. As a result, Xanax helps reduce feelings of anxiety, panic, or tension. The addiction treatment experts at Spring Hill Recovery Center in Ashby, MA can help.