The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Rhodiola
Posted by Angelika (Schaumburg, Il) on 09/09/2010
★★★★★
I take Rhodiola in instances where I feel anxious or a bout of anxiety is taking over. Rhodiola is amazing! I do not like taking prescription medication and this is a wonderful alternative!
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Posted by Joseph A. (Stockton, Ca) on 11/07/2021 73 posts
Hi, I know this is a very old reply, however in your comment, you stated you took 50mg Acetylcarnitine, actually, I think you meant 500mg, they don't make 50mg, plus all the problems you had couldn't have been eliminated with 50mg, sure it's possible but improbable. My son has Severe Anxiety and he takes 500mg twice daily for 1.000mg. I will look into him taking more Safely. Thank you, Joseph
5-HTP
Posted by Molly (Madison, USA) on 04/11/2008
WARNING!
One time I purchased a bottle of 5-htp, and after taking one capsule morning & evening, just twice, I threw the bottle away. My reaction to 5-htp was horrific; upon further research I learned that high levels of serotonin are associated with SEVERE ANXIETY. I also read that the spice ginger is a serotonin antagonist, so I have a bottle on hand, just in case I ever feel so anxious ever again.
Then I read somewhere online that there is a set of people whose depression responds to Acetyl L-Carnitine, they said the depression lifted in these people when using 3-4 grams a day, and to take two grams of acetylcarnitine on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning.
This amino acid is the most amazing substance; I've never been able to take more than 2 grams per day - there is such great mental clarity, there is utter inability to be depressed, but there simultaneously is no euphoria - just calm lucid clarity. I've read that it assists the brain in making many different neurotransmitters - so it is not anything, not anything at all like 5-htp which floods the brain with serotonin - which, if you don't need it, might create severe anxiety.
Tight Undershirt
Posted by mmsg (somewhere, europe) on 02/15/2023
★★★★★
Whilst visiting a family with a special needs child, we noticed that the child was very nervous and was acting up. The mother said: Be right back! And took the child to the bedroom to change her undershirt into the "newfangled 'compression shirt'" she had just received from the Physical Therapist to try out. The difference was astounding: the child became calm, friendly and happy, participating in whatever was going on!!
I had always loved undershirts that "hugged". And now I found out why! How does it work? I dunno. But it does.
Serpina
Posted by Joseph (Stockton, CA) on 10/22/2021 73 posts
★★★★★
For Anxiety, calmness of the mind, insomnia, etc., please try Indian Ayurvedic Serpina (Indian Snakeroot) sold in India, and at USA Amazon. Dosage: 1-3 pills daily, if severe anxiety use 2 pills 3X daily or 3 pills in am & 3 pills in pm. Dosages are 4mg each. One of the Best products ever, helps mental illness, psychosis, high blood pressure. My comments are most likely meant for current members. Questions feel free to ask. Thank you
Rhodiola
Posted by Katie (Missouri) on 01/18/2017
★★★★★
BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Rhodiola for Panic Attacks and Anxiety
Wow...it worked within 25 minutes. I took 100mg last. I felt very peaceful. Downside I got am icky stomach that has continued I to the morning. Manageable. It was still worth taking though!
Phosphatidylcholine
Posted by Zander (Columbus, Ohio) on 07/26/2014
★★★★★
I have suffered from acute anxiety on and off for much of my life. Today and yesterday were especially severe and left me feeling helpless & hopeless, as well as agitated, no less. I had just received a Phosphatidylcholine formulation for liver and brain function which I took this evening with no thought to its possible effect on my anxious state. Much to my pleasant surprise, 20 minutes or so later I was feeling completely at peace and had regained interest in the book I had been reading and no longer had a feeling of hopelessness and dread. I did not make the connection to the supplement right away but I know myself well enough to know that this had been a sudden as opposed to the usual gradual improvement. I deduced that it might have something to do with the supplement. Sure enough, one of the properties of Phosphatidylcholine is its ability to tonify and support the nervous system. Yes, I'm capitalizing it. I'm very relieved and grateful--please make this available to others who may experience relief. I think that this Lecithin variant deserves its own heading in the anxiety section. Thank you, Earth Clinic!
EMDR
Posted by Missy (Kansas City, Mo Usa) on 05/22/2012
★★★★★
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing. It can be done by looking left and right, hearing sounds in alternate ears left and right, crossing your arms and tapping your hands on opposite arms, or patting someone's legs left and right to help them. The idea is to stimulate the left and right hemispheres of the brain alternately while dealing with the trauma. I'm thinking it helps the emotional side of the brain and the logical side of the brain talk. You can read up on it on the net easily enough, but it's best that a therapist help adminster it for best results.
I heard that people in the 9/11 attack used EMDR with good results. I used it for getting past a rape and another invasive trauma. EMDR is the therapy that finally helped.
Rhodiola
Posted by Nw (New York, Ny) on 02/17/2010
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
Severe social anxiety
Dear ec, I love this site so much. Its helped me with so many things and I tell all my friends and family all that I learn on your site. I'm having such a problem with social anxiety, I don't know what to do. I'm so lonley and I want to be with people but I get such panic attacks. I was taking 150mg Effexor for a few years that seemed to work sometimes but I still had problems. About 2 weeks ago I had another attack when being introduced to someone and had enough. No matter who I'm around I immediatly get hot and my face turns bright red for no reason. I get so embarrased, I want to run away and it makes others feel uncomfortable because I'm so uncomfortable. So 2 weeks ago I read about Rhodiola on ec. I stopped taking the effexor and started the Rhodiola rite away. For the past 2 weeks I've felt good, more energy, depression gone but anxiety seems to be coming back and worse than ever. I went and got magnesium, l-theanine and b12. I was wondering if its safe to take the effexor and all these other things. I'm desperate and so frustrated I feel like I'm becoming a shut-in because I'm avoiding people. Please help me if you can, I feel so trapped. Thank you so much.
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Posted by Adrienne (Idaho) on 10/29/2020
Hello Angela,
Caricater mentions that taking Acetyl L-Carnitine can lead to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress, put simply, is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants that counter free radicals. We don't want free radicals, they can lead to cancer. Alpha Lipoic Acid is an antioxidant.
Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Jared (Sydney, Austrailia ) on 03/05/2009
★★★★★
I suffer with social anxiety disorder, I'm anxious and have difficulty thinking clearly in general not just in anxiety situations.I got myself flaxseed oil and took a tablespoon.I felt better instantly. My thinking became a lot clearer and my usual confused anxious state diminished. It definitely has a significant effect on brain chemistry. I'll be taking it everyday now :)
5-HTP
Posted by Stefanie (Minden, Louisiana) on 07/17/2008
★★★★★
I found this remedy when I was looking for herbal remedies for my daily headaches. I found 5-HTP. According to the article,some of the things it helped with are insomnia, headaches, anxiety & depression. I thought could it be? I immediately went to my husband to show him what I had found because he had problems sleeping at night as well. We went a few days later to our local drug store and picked up a bottle of 50mg. 5-HTP. We had decided on the lowest dosage available in our area, upping the dosage as we went along if it was necessary. We have only been on it for a few days now but there is a very noticeable difference. We both have been sleeping through the night and feeling more refreshed when we wake. My anxiety attacks are gone as well as my headaches. We both are much less snappish than what we were before. We haven't noticed any side effects so far. We are taking them with a meal or a small snack and so far we have stayed at 50mg. Thanks for the very useful information that lead to this discovery!
Peanut Butter
Posted by Doris (Murfreesboro, Tennessee) on 05/19/2008
★★★★★
Anxiety Remedies: I saw Ryan's comment about peanut butter and it reminded me of when I had anxiety for five months in 1993. I couldn't eat, sleep, or do anything. I was as nervous as a cat and had to take a leave of absence from working with school children. I lost about 30 lbs. I didn't have a computer at that time so couldn't look anything up about my condition. (I was too nervous to look anything up, anyway.) All I could eat was a peanut butter sandwich or toast with peanut butter. I couldn't even drink coffee because it felt like it was taking my breath away. My medical doctor wanted me to see a psychiatrist, but I wouldn't because I was not going to get hooked on pills with all the side effects. With a lot of prayer I finally got better and went back to work. When I got my computer three years later, I read that peanut butter has lots of magnesium and is good for anxiety. I believe the magnesium is what my body needed to get better (not drugs). I've never had anxiety again and I make sure I take magnesium supplements everyday.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Scott (Paradise, California) on 09/11/2007
★★★★★
Hi. I am a new user of ACV and am very pleased and surprised at the way it is helped me to feel better. I know that I have always struggled with candidiasis, but never got the complete relief from it using other remedies. The ACV has made an incredible difference in how I feel. I have also experienced the other benefits of increased energy, decreased anxiety, better sleep. However, there is one concern I have that I hope someone can help me with. Sometimes when I take the ACV it seems to upset my stomach. Help! I really value this remedy, but I'm concerned about stomach upset. Thanks.
Cold Showers
Posted by Bryon (Cincinnati, OH) on 07/09/2007
★★★★★
I started cold showers about three or four weeks ago and I love them now. They seem to help me get rejuvenated in the morning and I have had less anxiety. Everyone should try them.
Rhodiola
Posted by Margie (Upper Marlboro, MD) on 12/13/2006
★★★★★
I want to thank the person who said that Rhodiola was the best for anxiety attacks. I read the article and immediately searched the internet to find get more information regarding this vitamin. I then went out to get it for my symptoms and it worked. I feel normal again, before I was having a panic attack daily. I didn't know what triggered it, but I was suffering regularly. I also tried the 5HTP and I take them both together, the 5HTP helps with my stiffness in my joints and relaxes my body and mind. I take both daily and had not had any problems in three weeks. It feels good to be normal again.
B12, Folic Acid, 5-HTP and Altoids
Posted by Justin (Port St. Lucie) on 08/22/2006
★★★★★
I was under constant attack from anxiety, and depression was setting in because of it. I saw a therapist who taught me about positive thinking and ways to get myself out of a panic attack. It kinda worked but was a constant effort to always be managing my moods and still fighting random panic attacks. I started self medicating with a popular narcotic made to ease anxiety. We all know it as a small white rectangular pill. I became dependant and my tolerance built up way to high. I lost my job, and almost my wife and kid because of that stupid pill! I checked myself into a rehab...mainly to get it out of my system while in a secure, stable environment. My mind was definetly set on getting that pill out of my life so it was easy to kick. When I got out I was so scared of my anxiety coming back...and it did! I then remembered someone telling me about B-12 and Folic Acid as a natural cure for anxiety. I went to the store found the vitamins and saw it was like $6 for a 3 months supply and said "what the heck, I'll try it".....2 years later only one ten minute panic attack! The one I did have was after a night of drinking and did not take my vitamins...so def. my own fault. I take 500mcgs of B-12 and 400 mcgs of Folic Acid twice a day (i'm a big guy) I rarely, very rarely even think of my anxiety.
I have also, overtime, added a supplement called 5-htp and always carry around Altoids. I take the 5-htp when it just feels like things aren't going my way, and within an hour I am as giddy as a 3yr old watching blues clues! The Altoids help me out just whenever, they give me my own personal break from everything. The freshness it gives just puts everything back on a balanced level. The extreme peppermint taste relaxes me. I pop one in before any stressfull meeting, event, issue and i'ts like my own personal shield from stress!
As a side note since taking these new vitamins I have only been sick with a cold for one day out of 2 years! I have not gotten a single sore throat, flu, ear ache...Everyone in my family can be sick and I get nothing! I feel invincible! Smiling more.
