Anxiety is an ugly beast that can leave you asking why: why me, why now, why does my brain work this way? We know because we have been there. We have felt anxiety's crippling hold and have known what its like to fight back against those anxious thoughts and feelings. We know that not every day is the same and some are far worse than others. This is why we have compiled a list of our top supplements to help you get through those bad days.
These suggestions may not get to the root cause of your anxiety and that is okay. They are to be used to help create space between you and your anxiety so that you can have a break from the anxious thoughts and to feel well enough to leave your house and enjoy your life.
First up on the list is a personal favorite and one that I use every day, L-Theanine. L-Theanine is an amino acid that is commonly found in matcha green tea. If you have had matcha before, then you know that as a stimulant it doesn’t cause the jitters as coffee does, this is because of the L-theanine. I love to take L-theanine as a supplement to get a therapeutic dose of it. I find if I take it in the morning I can start my day with a clear head and a calm body. It also works great during an anxiety or panic attack. You can take up to 500mg of L-theanine and your attack should calm down and dissipate within a few minutes. Remember, everyone is different but for most people, this suplement has helped hugely in combating anxiety. Reccommended dose: 250mg daily or 500mg during/ leading up to an anxiety attack.
Make sure you look for a good quality brand, I like Can Prev or AOR.
The next supplement that you can take daily or as needed for anxiety is CBD. Much like L-theanine, the most common effect of taking CBD is a feeling of calm. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid constituent of Cannabis sativa that lacks the psychoactive (feeling of being high) effects of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD has been known for a variety of health benefits ranging from pain relief to balancing out serotonin (our happy hormone. Studies are ongoing for this supplement, but we can say from personal experience that CBD has been a huge help in reducing the symptoms of anxiety.
Recommended dose: there have not been any studies showing an upper limit for CBD. We recommend to take CBD in liquid form sublingually. Start with a small dose and increase as necessary.
The last supplement that I want to touch on today is Omega 3 with high EPA. Omega 3’s are amazing for all sorts of different actions in the body, from balancing cholesterol, improving memory and reducing inflammation. Omega 3 breaks down into two main components - EPA and DHA. DHA is fantastic for improving memory and cognition, whereas EPA is amazing for reducing inflammation in the body. I suggest anyone experiencing high stress, depression or anxiety to begin taking an Omega 3 high in EPA regularly. When you are experiencing anxiety, your body is often in “protection mode” making everything very tight and sore, this reaction can cause even more anxiety. So, ensuring you are taking an Omega high in EPA daily will help combat the effects of anxiety and reduce the symptoms.
Recommended dose: 2000 to 3000mg daily of Omega 3 with a 2:1 ratio of EPA to DHA
Remember, all of these suggestions are here to help you create space between you and your anxiety. They are not to be used as treatment, only to help you feel better in the here and now.
If you have any questions, please reach out.
All our love and support,
The Connection Project xo