Have you ever felt worried, uneasy, nervous, or nauseous at times? There is a bigger chance that you might have anxiety. It is the body’s natural reaction to stress.
There are many types of anxieties like Social Anxiety, PTSD or Post-traumatic stress disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Phobias, OCD or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and many more.
These anxieties are highly treatable, it is just important to know what you are dealing with. There are a lot of factors that cause anxiety, it can be from a traumatic experience or chemical imbalance on your brain.
Anxiety is a serious illness which affects a lot of people in their work or everyday lives. There are some symptoms to know if you’re having an anxiety attack such as increased heartbeat, shortness of breath, restlessness, fear, numbness and many more.
Now, most people suffering from anxiety are taking nootropics to help them with the symptoms. For more information visit Raw Powders.
What are the types of nootropics you can take for anxiety?
Withania somnifera or known as Ashwagandha is a good nootropic which has the ability to help the body adapt in a stressful environment. This nootropic is best known to help in reducing stress, it may help people reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is being used a long time ago as this is a medicinal herb. On top of that, there are still many benefits like anti-cancer properties, which may help with insomnia, which may enhance fertility, reduce blood sugar levels, and even increase muscle strength and mass. Find out more details about Ashwagandha here.
The recommended dosage of Ashwagandha, when used for Anxiety, is 500-600mg per day. There are some side effects reported when you take too much of it, such as headache, stomach upset, sleepiness and sometimes rapid heartbeat etc. Always read users’ experiences before trying any supplement.
There are things to consider before taking Ashwagandha and might want to consult your attending physician. If you have diabetes and are taking medications for it, it is best to monitor your blood sugar as this nootropic may cause the sugar level too low. If you have any Thyroid issue, it is best to use Ashwagandha cautiously, as it may increase the thyroid hormone. Also, be cautious if you want to take this nootropic if you have low or high blood pressure, because this nootropic may decrease the blood pressure.
Bacopa Monnieri or Brahmi is also considered as an adaptogen, it can increase your body’s resistance to stress. Study says that this herb may help people with anxiety, stress, and depression as it has the ability to uplift the mood and reduce the level of cortisol which is linked to the level of stress. Some of the other benefits include, improving the brain function, this contains a strong antioxidant, may help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD, help lower the blood pressure, Bacopa also has anti-cancer properties and more.
The recommended dosage of Bacopa Monnieri is 300mg a day to help with Stress and Anxiety. There might be some side effects even though it is safe to take. It may cause nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
Some reminders before taking Bacopa Monnieri:
If you have ulcers, you may want to avoid this nootropic because it may increase the secretion in the stomach and may worsen the ulcer. It may slow the heart rate, which might be a problem with people who are already suffering from it. For people with lung problems, it may increase the secretion of the fluid and this may cause to worsen asthma and other lung conditions. It also has to do with urinary tract obstruction, Bacopa Monnieri may cause to worsen the symptoms.
GABA or gamma-Aminobutyric acid is one of the famous nootropics. It is a natural amino acid and works as a neurotransmitter in the brain. It provides a calming effect; hence it is a big help for anxiety, depression, and stress. Most doctors are also prescribing this alongside other antidepressants. When a person lacks GABA, they may experience seizures, insomnia, fear, panic disorder, and Parkinson’s disease. There are foods that contain GABA which are red wine, vegetables, and fruits.
The recommended dosage of GABA for anxiety is 1000mg 1-3 times a day. You may want to start with a small amount then gradually increase it. It is best to take GABA during the night.
There are some reported side effects when taking GABA. It may cause slightly jittery feelings after taking it. It may also cause muscle weakness, sleepiness, headache, and upset stomach.
There is another famous nootropic that can help with Anxiety, it is the Phenibut.
It is similar to the chemical brain GABA. Phenibut increases the dopamine level in the brain or what we know as the happy hormone; thus, it is a big help for people who are experiencing anxiety and depression. This nootropic may also be used for memory, thinking, learning and overall, the cognitive function.
The recommended dosage of Phenibut is 250-1000mg a day. It is suggested to start trying small dosage and gradually increase.
Also, there are some side effects of Phenibut, users may experience nausea, poor balance, hangover feeling, dizziness and if taken too much it may cause trouble breathing. For pregnant and lactating women, it is best not to take it or avoid any nootropic as much as possible.
Another nootropic is L-Theanine. It is an amino acid commonly found in green and black tea.
People who are dealing with high levels of anxiety often take this nootropic as a supplement as it will take effect approximately 30 to 40 minutes after this was taken and may last for 8 to 10 hours.
This promotes a deeper relaxation without the feeling of drowsiness. L-Theanine may improve the cognitive function it may also help with stress, depression, insomnia, may reduce the symptoms of ADHD, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other memory-related diseases.
The suggested usage of L-Theanine for Anxiety is 200-250mg per day.
It is recommended to start with 50mg and gradually increase. Please be mindful that it is not best to exceed the suggested dosage of L-Theanine as some side effects may be felt like nausea, irritability and stomach upset.