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This article was originally published on SundayScaries.
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It’s not uncommon for you to hear that people suffer from anxiety. In fact, there’s a good chance you know someone who suffers from it. But do you really know what it is? Anxiety is considered an uneasy feeling that is accompanied by both concern and worry, most of the time about some upcoming situation or event. Many of these instances are also filled with great uncertainty, as well.
Now, the upcoming events don’t have to be a big thing. People with anxiety can start having symptoms from a wide range of events, from studying for a test to visiting a new place. Anything can bring on anxiety if you have it.
If you have an anxiety disorder, then you know firsthand that it can persist in your everyday life. You can start feeling anxious to such an extent that it affects your relationships, overall well-being, and even your work.
Similar to most other disorders, there are several different types of anxiety, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Social anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Generalized anxiety
- Panic disorder
Each type of anxiety has its own debilitating symptoms that are slightly different from other types. Since there are so many different types of anxiety, it is a very common disorder that affects almost one-third of adults at one point or another in their life.
If you have one form or another of anxiety, there are several herbal remedies for anxiety that may help alleviate your symptoms. These herbal remedies have been studied specifically in regard to treating anxiety, so have been extensively researched. Remember to always do your own research and consult your doctor before trying any new herbal supplement or remedy.
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1. Passion Flower
Clinical trials have shown that passion flower may be able to help with anxiety. Since passion flower is usually mixed with other herbs in most commercial products and supplements, it is difficult to distinguish the particular qualities of the herb. As long as you take it as directed, passion flower is considered to be safe; however, there have been studies founding that it can also cause dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness.
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2. Kava
While initial studies were very promising and showed great benefits in anxiety treatment, later reports claimed that kava had the potential to cause serious damage to the liver. These reports, while they have been questioned, have caused the FDA to put out warnings about dietary supplements that contain kava. If you do decide to try kava to help with your anxiety, be sure to use caution and get your doctor involved to monitor any side effects.
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3. Valerian
Studies have shown that Valerian users reported a lower amount of stress and anxiety than those who did not use it. Valerian is also considered to be safe if you follow the dosage guidelines. It can, however, cause some minor side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and headaches.
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4. Lavender
You may already know that lavender is popular in aromatherapy, but it is also popular as an oral supplement. This is because lavender will help you to reduce your anxiety. While the evidence about this is somewhat limited, side effects of taking oral lavender have been known to include headaches and constipation. On top of that, it can also increase your appetite.
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5. Marijuana
Marijuana for the treatment of anxiety is one of the most common reasons that people use it. This is because studies have shown evidence that marijuana can be extremely effective for treating anxiety disorders, no matter what the type. In fact, using cannabis to treat anxiety was first recorded in the year 1563. Garcia de Orta, a Portuguese physician, stated that it would remove all cares and worries from anxiety sufferers. He described marijuana as helping to calm and relax you, and may even put you in a hypnotic state.
If being used to treat anxiety for almost 500 years wasn’t enough, long-term users of marijuana have reported that they have noticed reduced levels of anxiety and stress and an increase in relaxation. Studies have also been done to confirm what many throughout the years have claimed. In 2014, a study from Vanderbilt University discovered that regularly smoking marijuana can potentially increase a naturally occurring chemical in the brain known as endocannabinoids, which become reduced during times of extra stress. While this is not definitively proven, researchers have a theory that this reduction in endocannabinoids is one of the major causes of anxiety.
Finally, marijuana is not only safer and more effective in treating anxiety than traditional anxiety medicines, but it can also help you get off any prescribed anxiety medicines, most of which normally have some extreme side effects like dizziness, internal bleeding, and even rectal bleeding. When you are looking for the best herbal remedies for anxiety, remember that herbal supplements are not regulated or monitored by the FDA. This means that some company’s quality may be a little lower than what is led to believe.
If you are thinking about using an herbal remedy to help treat your anxiety, be sure to speak with your doctor prior to starting. While there are many different herbal remedies available to help you treat anxiety, you should always be sure to do your research on them before testing them out. This way you’ll be safe and will limit any potentially hazardous side effects that may be caused by your new herbal remedies for anxiety.
RJ Plant 