Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions and can significantly affect emotional and social well-being. Although conventional treatments like benzodiazepines and SSRIs are effective, they may cause side effects, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, nutraceuticals and dietary supplements are gaining attention as safer alternatives for anxiety management. Nutraceuticals are bioactive compounds obtained from food sources that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Supplements such as Ashwagandha, Omega-3 fatty acids, Magnesium, L-Theanine, Probiotics, Chamomile, Brahmi, Val0erian root, and B-complex vitamins have shown potential anxiolytic effects. They work through mechanisms like neurotransmitter regulation, HPA-axis modulation, reduction of oxidative stress, improvement of sleep, and gut-brain axis support. This review summarizes the mechanisms, clinical evidence, dosage, safety, and limitations of nutraceuticals in anxiety management. Current evidence suggests they may be useful as complementary approaches for mild to moderate anxiety with fewer side effects, though more large-scale clinical studies are needed to confirm their long-term safety and effectiveness.
Yadav et al. (Thu,) studied this question.