One of the most frequent drug prescriptions today, are anti-anxiety drugs. There are many reasons for that, aside from that every addiction or eating disordered is always related to some sort of anxiety. And this regardless of whether one is aware of it or not.

There is always an element of anxiety when we use food, starvation, overexercise or drugs to suppress this inner sense of "unsettleness".

When we have an overexcited nervous system, always feel wired, work with technology all day, drink too much black coffee (btw. did you know that adding a bit of organic heavy cream or coconut oil prevents that rapid cortisol insulins spike, that we normally exhaust our body with from the caffeine? Yes, many reason to add a bit of fat to your coffee fix!), get too little deep sleep before midnight in order to repair metabolism and brain cells, and perhaps also struggle with a digestion not functioning due to painkillers and antibiotic popped like candy these day, we will feel anxious - or unable to be calm.

Thus we look for an external fix, because no one likes not to be able to just relax.

When we are are caught in the rat race or dealing with withdrawal, it feels like a mouse constantly on a treadmill going absolutely no-where but slowly being used up.

One of the major reasons that we tend to go back to old habits incl. addictive and self-destructive behaviors such as eating disorders, are to feel a minute's worth of calmness.

Even if we know that the long-term effect is the exact opposite. But that instant relief is so strong for many of us, the temptation is just too strong.... we feel like we are about to go nuts, if we don't get that moment of relief - whatever or "drug" of choice is.

And that's pretty stressful in itself, obviously.

Below is an infograph developed by Healthline showing how anxiety - our mental state of health - affects our physical body and organ health.

Recognizing Anxiety: Symptoms, Signs, and Risk Factors

There are many things we can do to balance our central nervous system without drugs or prescriptions.

Just because something is prescribed doesn't make it less risky - they are still drugs, even if they come from your doctor's office, and many are highly addictive.

Did you know that medical doctors are actually one of the most drugged up professions, because the access is so easy, and many patients suffer addiction following "doctor's prescription". Not pretty.

There are no quick fixes.

Quick fixes always come at a cost that few of us are willing to pay, if only we knew. Quick fixes suck, quite frankly.

Following are Top 5 Anti-Anxiety Herbs that you might want to try out under supervision from a health care practitioner. I use these in different combinations and dosages depending on case, when working with withdrawal and anxiety symptoms. Everyone needs different dosages for it to work. And keep in mind, herbs take time to build up and work - it's not like wrecking your system with drugs, so you need patience, consistency and also make sure you are taking the right dosages etc. for your needs. If it's not working, it doesn't mean it's not working, you just need adjust the dosages, until you reach your perfect formula - but always with a professional guidance.

Valerian

Valerian has been used to ease insomnia, anxiety, and nervous restlessness for thousands of years. It impacts the brain chemical GABA which is involved in regulating nerve cells and has a calm effect on anxiety.

L-Glutamine

Known as the "Anti-Anxiety Amino Acid" and also rushes those nagging sugar cravings, especially helpful for food addiction issues, binging and addiction to drugs ( most drug addict find themselves struggling with sugar cravings following coming clean).

Hops

Sedating and sleep-inducing, relevant for insomnia issues particularly.

Magnesium Glycinate

Magnesium deficiency is estimated to affect 80% of Americans, and rapidly used up during times of stress or drug and sugar binges. This vital mineral has a calming effect on our central nervous system, muscles and helps our body and mind to relax, recuperate and produce stable levels of GABA and serotonin - neurotransmitters essential for wellbeing, sleep and stability. I recommend Magnesium Glycinate as this is a highly bioavailable form of magnesium, which has unique calming effects compared to other types of magnesium as it contains extra glycine. The extra glycine as an amino acid can help with sleep and feeling calm. Also least likely to cause loose stools. Taken at Bedtime.

Remember vitamins, minerals and herbs take 3 months consistently taking them before they really repair your system, so don't give up because you do not notice immediate effects.

References

Am J Med. 2006 Dec;119(12):1005-12. Valerian for sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Bent S et al.

Acta Physiol Hung. 2012 Jun;99(2):133-9. The sedative effects of hops (Humulus lupulus) on the activity/rest rhythm. Franco L et al.

Med Hypotheses. 2006;67(2):362-70. Rapid recovery from major depression using magnesium treatment. Eby GA et al.

Nutrition. 1996 May;12(5):349-54. Effect of L-glutamine supplementation on impaired glucose regulation during intravenous lipid administration. Ballard TC et al.