Supplements for anxiety
Evidence-graded picks for situational anxiety, chronic stress, and HPA-axis recovery.
L-theanine 200 mg, magnesium glycinate, lavender oil (Silexan), and saffron have the most consistent anxiety data. Ashwagandha (KSM-66 600 mg) lowers cortisol and stress markers in chronically stressed adults. Rhodiola has fatigue and stress data, particularly in shift workers. Avoid combining with SSRIs/MAOIs without prescriber input — serotonin syndrome risk. For panic disorder or moderate-severe GAD, supplements are not a substitute for evidence-based treatment.
Evidence summary
The numbers on the cards are the same composite as the supplement pages: efficacy, safety, research, onset, cost, and drug-interaction ratings, from 20 to 100. The strongest records on this page are L-Theanine + caffeine (cognitive stack), Sodium bicarbonate (sports), and Magnesium glycinate. A higher score is a stronger record in the database, not a personal recommendation.
Who should be careful
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, and anyone taking a prescription drug should talk with a clinician before using this list.
- Do not stack products from this list that sedate, thin the blood, or lower blood sugar with medicines that do the same thing.
Comparisons and topic guides
- Adaptogens topic guide
- Magnesium glycinate vs Ashwagandha for stress — which one for which problem?
- Tyrosine vs Rhodiola for fatigue — acute precursor vs chronic adaptogen
- Ashwagandha vs L-Theanine for stress — chronic vs acute, with caveats
- Ashwagandha vs Rhodiola — which adaptogen actually fits your problem?
- All comparisons
86
L-Theanine + caffeine (cognitive stack)
84
Sodium bicarbonate (sports)
80
Magnesium glycinate
72
Inositol myo-form (PCOS/metabolic)
76
Tyrosine (L-tyrosine)
74
L-Theanine
74
Chamomile extract (Matricaria chamomilla)
74
Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
73
Lavender oil oral (Silexan)
72
Saffron (Crocus sativus)
72
MCT oil (medium chain triglycerides)
72
Lactobacillus casei Shirota
72
Lactobacillus helveticus/B. longum R0052/R0175
70
Bifidobacterium longum
69
Caprylic acid (C8 MCT)
69
Saffron Affron (standardised extract)
68
Ashwagandha (KSM-66)
66
L-Cysteine
52
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)
66
Moringa oleifera
65
PharmaGABA
64
Rhodiola rosea
64
Phosphatidylserine
64
Ferulic acid
Educational reference, not medical advice. Discuss any supplement change with a qualified clinician before acting on this list.