Honokiol (magnolia bark isolate)

Tier 3 — weak evidence · Anxiety · Neuroprotection · GABA modulator · Anti-inflammatory

A bioactive lignan isolated from Magnolia officinalis bark with potent antioxidant activity (1,000× more potent than vitamin E in lipid systems) and multitarget neurological effects: positive allosteric modulation of GABA-A receptors (anxiolytic without tolerance), NMDA receptor modulation (neuroprotective), and NF-κB inhibition (anti-inflammatory). Small human studies and extensive preclinical models show anxiety reduction without the tolerance development that limits benzodiazepines. Emerging evidence for neuroprotection against Alzheimer's pathology (reduces beta-amyloid and tau…

Dose: 50–200 mg/day standardised honokiol; evening dosing for anxiety and sleep applications; start at 50 mg and titrate up