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Supplements for anxiety and stress

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.
86
L-Theanine + caffeine (cognitive stack)
Focus · Alertness · No jitters · 2:1 ratio · Studied combination
Tier 2
82
Sodium bicarbonate (exercise buffer)
Performance · Acid buffering · Endurance
Tier 2
82
Magnesium glycinate
Magnesium form · Sleep · Anxiety
Tier 1
79
Magnesium bisglycinate
Sleep · Anxiety · Bioavailability
Tier 1
79
Inositol myo-form (PCOS/metabolic)
PCOS · Insulin sensitivity · Ovulation
Tier 2
76
Tyrosine (L-tyrosine)
Focus · Stress resilience · Cognition
Tier 2
74
L-Theanine
Relaxation · Focus · Sleep
Tier 2
74
Chamomile extract (Matricaria chamomilla)
Anxiety · Sleep · Digestive
Tier 1
74
Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
Vitamin B5 · Adrenal · Skin
Tier 2
73
Lavender oil oral (Silexan)
Anxiety · Sleep · GAD
Tier 2
72
Saffron (Crocus sativus)
Depression · Anxiety · Cognition
Tier 1
72
MCT oil (medium chain triglycerides)
Energy · Ketosis · Cognition
Tier 2
72
Lactobacillus casei Shirota
Gut · Immunity · Mood
Tier 2
72
Lactobacillus helveticus/B. longum R0052/R0175
Gut-brain axis · Stress · Mood
Tier 2
70
Bifidobacterium longum
Gut · Immunity · Mood-gut axis
Tier 2
69
Caprylic acid (C8 MCT)
Ketosis · Energy · Cognition
Tier 2
69
Saffron Affron (standardised extract)
Depression · PMS · Cognition
Tier 2
68
Ashwagandha (KSM-66)
Stress · Anxiety · Sleep
Tier 2
66
L-Cysteine
Hair · Skin · Glutathione · Detox
Tier 2
65
PharmaGABA
Stress · Sleep · Relaxation
Tier 2
64
Rhodiola rosea
Endurance · Stress · Fatigue
Tier 2
64
Phosphatidylserine (plant-derived)
Cognition · Cortisol · Memory
Tier 2
64
Ferulic acid
Antioxidant · Muscle recovery · Bone health · Coffee phenolic
Tier 2
64
Idebenone
Mitochondrial · Cognition · Vision
Tier 2
64
Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng)
Adaptogen · Energy · Sexual function
Tier 2
Educational reference, not medical advice. Discuss any supplement change with a qualified clinician before acting on this list.
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