Our holistic approach supports your physical, mental, and spiritual health through a range of evidence-based treatment modalities. With the right treatment, you can reduce your symptoms and significantly improve your quality of life. 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.
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
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Learn about the conditions we treat
The ancient practice of meditation, deeply rooted in numerous cultures and traditions, has stood the test of time. The nervous system relies heavily on B vitamins, especially B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), and B12, for its proper function. Supplements, like fish oil, are also commonly used to increase omega-3 intake. They also play a key role in mood regulation and the alleviation of anxiety.
- Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Valium, are the oldest and most well-known controlled substances for anxiety.
- TMS is not FDA-approved for treating anxiety, although some research suggests it might help manage anxiety symptoms when other medications haven’t worked.
- Zoloft may be an alternative to Xanax for those who experience both anxiety and depression or who have a co-occurring substance use disorder.
- Addiction Resource does not favor or support any specific recovery center, nor do we claim to ensure the quality, validity, or effectiveness of any particular treatment center.
- One particular study revealed that participants who consumed lemon balm reported improved mood and significantly reduced levels of anxiety (11).
- It shouldn’t be used by people taking MAOIs or those who experience seizures or eating disorders.
The resultant effect is some degree of central nervous depression that culminates in reduced anxiety. Reduced breakdown of monoamine oxidase ensures that dopamine and serotonin linger longer in the brain. 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. Effects of Valium do not show variations with race, health conditions, diseases, or use of alcohol. Regular practice of Tai Chi has been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Be sure to talk with your provider about how you can decrease your dependence and manage withdrawal symptoms safely. Using therapy in addition to medication for anxiety disorders is proven to give you up to a 60% better chance of recovery as opposed to just one treatment alone. Generally, antidepressant medications are just as effective and can be more effective in the long term. These medications can treat depression and anxiety, which is helpful since symptoms of both commonly occur at the same time, making them a good substitute for Xanax. 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).
Fuel your mind and body
Over time, the body can build a tolerance to Xanax, meaning that higher doses may be required to achieve the same therapeutic effects. This includes drowsiness and dizziness, and even more severe issues like respiratory depression and memory problems (1). Psychodynamic therapy aims to uncover the repressed thoughts and feelings behind your anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Purchasing Xanax online without a prescription is a) a federal crime, b) highly unsafe, and c) more likely to cause problems than solve them. A medication commonly prescribed for anxiety, Xanax belongs to the benzodiazepine class. Benzodiazepines are known for their effectiveness and potential for addiction.
In people with depression and anxiety, valium has been shown to be more effective for the treatment of anxiety. Propranolol is an oral medication for high blood pressure, angina, migraine, and more. It’s also prescribed off-label to treat generalized anxiety, social phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pre-operative or pre-dental treatment anxiety, stage fright, and agoraphobia. As a beta-blocker, propranolol isn’t addictive like some anxiety meds, including Xanax. But, it can cause various gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and nervous system-related side effects. People with breathing disorders, including asthma, shouldn’t take propranolol for anxiety.
- Prescription psychiatric medications that are used to treat anxiety often quell excessive neuronal firing and reduce levels of GABA in the brain, thereby promoting calm and relaxation.
- Over-the-counter remedies like the amino acid L-Theanine, melatonin, and magnesium are also frequently recommended as alternative anxiety treatments.
- Alcohol is often viewed as a social lubricant, a means to relax, or even a temporary escape from the stresses of life.
- In fact, energy use by the brain during REM sleep is commensurate with energy use during waking hours 4.
- It can also be added to an SSRI, particularly to help reduce the SSRIs sexual side effects.
If you’d like to ease off of Xanax in favor of a safer alternative, that is always an option. Just make sure you speak with a licensed professional to help you as it is unsafe to stop abruptly. A licensed provider can support you and help ensure you’re taking the necessary precautions. If you experience insomnia and want an alternative treatment that may work xanax alternatives as successfully as Xanax, CBT is often also used.
As a result, Xanax helps reduce feelings of anxiety, panic, or tension. Fortunately, many alternative treatments that offer relief from anxiety do exist, ranging from other medications to proven non-medical strategies. In this article we’ll detail the dangers of Xanax and other ways you can treat your anxiety. There is a wide variety of herbal compounds, amino acids, and other supplements that can be tried to treat different mental health conditions. Therefore, lemon balm extract is a natural Xanax alternative that putatively synergizes with other natural alternatives like valerian root and L-theanine.
Ashwagandha also possesses neuroprotective characteristics, supporting brain health, enhancing mood, and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases (26). Many people today are turning to Ashwagandha as a natural alternative to pharmaceuticals like Xanax. Often called the “Indian ginseng,” this adaptogenic herb has been used for over 3,000 years to relieve stress, increase energy levels, and improve concentration.
Alprazolam, however, leaves the body quickly, and so frequent consumption of Xanax pills is needed. The half-life contracts of Klonopin vs. Xanax are quite big; the half-life of Klonopin is longer, i.e., 30 to 40 hours. Both have the potential for dependence and addiction with long-term higher doses. There are a wide variety of nonaddictive anxiety medications that have proven effective at treating anxiety disorders, often just as effective as Xanax, with less risk of dependence. Zoloft (sertraline) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).