Can Cannabis Replace Xanax As an Anti-Anxiety Drug?

Traditionally, it has been used to treat anxiety, depression, and mental fatigue. It’s also available as an over-the-counter herbal remedy for anxiety, stress, and insomnia in the US and many other parts of the world. There are over 550 prescription medications that should not be taken along with Xanax. Alarmingly, benzodiazepines, including Xanax, are among the hardest drugs to kick, along with hardcore drugs like heroin, cocaine, and crystal meth. Here’s a look at the biggest problems with Xanax and similar anti-anxiety medications.

  • Some prescription anxiety medications, like Xanax, can relieve anxiety within 30 minutes.
  • Xanax and other benzodiazepines do not amend themselves well to rapid detox modalities.
  • Although both are fast-acting, when comparing Ativan vs. Xanax, Ativan takes longer to start its action.
  • And the more you learn, the more you’ll appreciate these calming remedies.
  • As previously mentioned, ashwagandha is prized most for its stress-fighting effects—hence the nod to natural Xanax.
  • There are literally THOUSANDS of stories of people being addicted to it, and the withdrawal from it can be an absolute nightmare.

Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and tempeh are rich natural sources of probiotics. Incorporating these foods into your diet can support a balanced gut microbiome. Meats, seeds, nuts, and dark leafy greens are all excellent sources. They also play a key role in mood regulation and the alleviation of anxiety. They are vital nutrients with an impressive array of health benefits. Theanine is an amino acid predominantly found in tea leaves (especially green tea).

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  • This can be extremely important for people who have addictive personalities or who have a history of substance abuse.
  • Xanax is a common brand name for alprazolam, a medication prescribed to help treat panic and anxiety disorders.
  • If your anxiety is disrupting your daily life or becomes unmanageable, reach out to a trained mental health professional or doctor who can help you get your symptoms under control.
  • 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.
  • Benzodiazepines are widely used to treat anxiety, sleep disorders, and depression.

As a result, Valerian root is an  attractive natural sedative and compelling alternative to drugs like Xanax. For instance, combining it with lemon balm or valerian root can provide a more potent calming effect. Passion flower can be safely combined with other natural anti-anxiety remedies, amplifying its effects. Another showed that it can reduce pre-surgery anxiety, comparable to standard medications (4).

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Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants as they enhance the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support you or a loved one on the journey to natural.xanax healing and reclaiming a life free from Xanax addiction. We’re a modern 64-bed inpatient facility in Loveland, Colorado, with leading-edge medical technology and a strong reputation for clinical excellence and healthcare quality. This often happens when a Xanax user attempts to experience the medication’s drug effects at an accelerated pace. Interestingly, research confirms that the exercise you do today provides a buffer against anxiety for years to come, even if you eventually stop doing it.

Your addiction does not have to define who you are.

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. Inositol is a substance that is found in high concentrations in the brain. Inositol helps neurotransmitters to relay messages between brain cells. Inositol can be found in pill or powder form at most health and vitamin shops.

Frequency and duration of exercise for optimal benefits

Reading can transport you to another universe, provide new perspectives, and even help develop coping strategies by identifying with characters’ struggles and resolutions. The beauty of meditation is that it’s very easy to start this practice. You don’t need to spend any money or enroll in a class to start meditating. Xanax has two properties that make it more prone to cause dependence and addiction. It burns off stress hormones and increases feel-good endorphins to help you handle daily stress. Any supplement you take to relieve anxiety has an uphill battle if you continue to consume caffeine which inhibits GABA.

While Tai Chi does not function as a direct replacement for medications like Xanax, its integration of movement and mindfulness offers substantial benefits for those grappling with anxiety and stress. Deep breathing also lowers levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone in the body, which then leads to reduced anxiety (64). The adrenal glands, responsible for releasing stress hormones, require adequate amounts of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) for proper function. Maintaining optimal adrenal health by supplementing with Vitamin B5 can help in managing the body’s stress response (50). While they don’t directly replace medications like Xanax, B vitamins can be an instrumental part of a holistic approach to mental health.

This Healthline-approved mindfulness app features hundreds of calming exercises, guided visualizations, and breathing techniques to help reduce anxiety symptoms. It also offers sleep stories for those who have difficulty relaxing at night due to anxiety. According to a 2016 study, regularly drinking chamomile tea may reduce symptoms of GAD. While it is of course not a replacement for traditional anti-anxiety medication or therapy, chamomile tea can be a helpful tool in helping manage feelings of anxiety.

However, while effective, Xanax comes with its own set of side effects.

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His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Research has established that neurotoxins collect in a person’s body throughout their lifetime, resulting in an over-stimulated nervous system. Additional factors such as an overly demanding workplace, a foundering marriage, or other stressors can overwhelm a person.

You can try out different ways to help alleviate anxiety, like grounding techniques or mindfulness to see what works best for you. While it is on the pricier side, you can try the mask risk-free for 60 days. Reviewers note that the mask has great sound quality and is very comfortable to wear, with many even saying it’s the best sleep mask they have ever tried. While has a range of health benefits, it’s primarily relied on to manage chronic stress. Fortunately, a daily intake of 250 to 500 milligrams of ashwagandha over 60 days can reduce C-reactive protein levels by as much as 30 percent. Another benefit of ashwagandha is that it can also reduce low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and decrease markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP).

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