He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital. In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself. If one is already on a prescribed benzodiazepine that a person wants to stop taking, alternatives can be used to support health before, during and after the reduction of dosage. Gradual reduction is the recommended and most reliable route to recovery.
Valerian contains numerous phytochemicals, notably the eponymous sesquiterpenoid valerenic acid and its natural derivatives (e.g. acetoxy valerenic acid and hydroxy valerenic acid). Valerian root ostensibly mitigates anxiety and improves sleep by enhancing GABA interaction with GABA-A receptors. By leveraging its proprietary technology platform, 50-state medical group, and nationwide mail-order pharmacy network, LifeMD is increasing access to amazing healthcare that is affordable to everyone. They will be able to help you find the best option based on your medical history, the severity of your anxiety symptoms, and discuss the pros and cons of each alternative with you. However, it works more gradually, promoting sleep and possibly lowering cortisol levels — without the risk of dependency.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using alprazolam?
- For example, if you’re undergoing exposure therapy for social anxiety, your therapist might walk through an anxiety-inducing scenario with you, such as a birthday party.
- Stopping Xanax abruptly can cause severe withdrawal symptoms — such as seizures, panic attacks, and psychosis — that may last weeks or even months.
- Therapy helps with anxiety, and can be an effective alternative to Xanax or a complement to Xanax or another medication.
- It shouldn’t be used by people taking MAOIs or those who experience seizures or eating disorders.
Individuals without chronic anxiety often use Xanax to experience its calming effects, but this can lead to a dangerous addiction to the medication. However, using the medication long-term can lead to dependency, withdrawal, and other harmful side effects. There are other safe options for managing anxiety that may work better for you.
It primarily interacts with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in the brain, which regulates the body’s stress response. 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. The potential side effects of Buspirone are similar to SNRIs and often improve as the body adjusts.
Clonazepam as a Xanax alternative
Therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is one of the most beneficial things anyone can do for their mental health. Xanax can help people with anxiety disorders and panic attacks, but it isn’t right for everyone. Due to Xanax’s addictive qualities, many people seek Xanax alternatives instead. Fortunately, there are a variety of other options if you don’t want to or can’t take Xanax. Read on to learn about other prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) options, or natural alternatives to Xanax that might be a better fit for treating your anxiety.
It is a blessing from nature that these straightforward, but powerful alternatives exist. Xanax is highly addictive, has a high risk of abuse, can come with many harsh reactions — and can be incredibly difficult to stop taking. Many individuals would be blown away by the power of natural Xanax alternatives and how efficient they are.
Final Thoughts About Natural Xanax Alternatives
In your brain, there are communication centers called neurons that send messages to each other using chemicals called neurotransmitters. One of these neurotransmitters is called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It helps calm down the activity of neurons, which can prevent feelings of anxiety. Alternatives to Xanax include SSRIs, SNRIS, and propranolol, which don’t have the same potential for misuse.
Other options used for the treatment of social anxiety disorder include benzodiazepines. Note that your healthcare provider may prescribe other medications to help manage your symptoms that are not approved by the U.S. Examples of medications used off-label to treat anxiety include beta blockers and anticonvulsants. The FDA have only approved Xanax for the treatment of panic disorders and anxiety. If a person is taking Xanax, they may be at a greater risk of an opioid overdose, as many people have a prescription for both drugs.
Non-Addictive Anxiety Medications: Xanax Alternatives
Clinical trials of lemon balm extract have shown this herb can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by as much as 30% 22. There is also limited data suggesting lemon balm promotes healthy sleep-wake cycles and may combat anxiety-related insomnia 23. Many Xanax users report significant sedative and hypnotic effects, thereby helping alleviate symptoms of anxiety and tension. However, Xanax comes with a long list of possible side effects and withdrawal symptoms, such as xerostomia (dry mouth), dizziness, constipation, irritability (mood swings), brain fog, and disinhibition 1. Whether you’re looking for support for mental health conditions or exploring alternatives to Xanax, LifeMD can help.
Regardless of which benzodiazepine is prescribed, it’s crucial to follow your doctor’s instructions to minimize risks and avoid dependence. But, it is a controlled substance, so it has a potential for misuse and dependence if not used as directed. Some people develop a tolerance to Xanax and start feeling like they need to take more to get the same effects. 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.
Muscle Aches
- The best way to use Xanax alternatives is determined by the end goal you want to achieve.
- For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here.
- It helps calm down the activity of neurons, which can prevent feelings of anxiety.
While there are several prescription benzodiazepines, there are also some over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that contain benzodiazepines. These OTC drugs can be useful for short-term relief of anxiety and insomnia symptoms, otc xanax but it is important to use them judiciously and to be aware of the potential side effects. By understanding the risks and benefits of OTC drugs containing benzodiazepines, you can make an informed decision when it comes to your health and well-being.
In doing so, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs) can help with mood regulation, sleep, and emotional health. 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. Silexan is a branded extract of lavender oil created by Wilmar Schwabe GmbH, a German pharmaceutical company. Schwabe pharmaceuticals claim that silexan is “introducing a new therapeutic alternative in the field of anxiety disorder treatment” 14. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence showing people experiencing a calmer state and reduced anxiety after taking GABA supplements 11. Two (more detailed) studies carried out in 2006 looked at the effects of GABA supplements on the brain 13.
In contrast, what we specialize in is matching a patient’s profile with the most effective non-pharmaceutical means to resolve symptoms. Like SSRIs, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) have a lower risk of misuse, dependence, and addiction. Cleanbreak Recovery offers a holistic approach to overcoming substance abuse and addiction and support for lasting Recovery. Join us for evidence-based guidelines, expert tips, and resources for a new life. Mark Halsey is a licensed therapist, founder, and chief editor of Clean Break Recovery. With over a decade of addiction treatment experience, Mark deeply understands the complex needs of those struggling with addiction and utilizes a comprehensive and holistic approach to address them.
Many of the following remedies and holistic coping techniques may help with anxiety. The “safest” benzodiazepine for anxiety depends on the individual, but medications like lorazepam (Ativan) and diazepam (Valium) are often considered relatively safer for short-term use. Benzodiazepines carry a risk of dependence, so they are typically prescribed for short-term relief of acute anxiety. Lorazepam has a shorter half-life, meaning it leaves the body faster, which may reduce the risk of lingering side effects, while diazepam has a longer half-life and may be easier to taper off.
While Xanax can be taken with or without food, taking Valium after a high-fat meal can delay its effects. Xanax (alprazolam) is one of the most prescribed anti-anxiety medications available. There are other medications, therapies, and even natural Xanax alternatives. Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Alprazolam is a controlled substance and may be misused or lead to dependence. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder.
Our goal is to offer clients lasting relief and long-term success. The benzodiazepine alternatives we provide are targeted to correct underlying causes of symptoms as well as to obtain immediate relief from symptoms. Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that act on the central nervous system to relax muscles and produce a calming effect. They are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms. Common benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), and alprazolam (Xanax). It is important to note that benzodiazepines can be habit-forming and should only be used as directed by a healthcare provider.