Stress & Mental Health
Anti-Anxiety Nootropics: How to Support and Rebalance the Nervous System
Expert verified by Dr. Ilka Calendario, Ph.D.
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Anxiety, a feeling of inner tension, sleep disturbances, irritability, overreaction… Sound familiar? In the XXI century, these disorders are very common. The tense rhythm of life, low stress tolerance, working under time pressure, and an excess of information inflow all contribute to our restlessness. Therefore, adequate therapy, including treatment with anti-anxiety nootropics or
anxiolytics
Anxiolytics
— Nootropics that help treat anxiety and related conditions.
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, is of great social importance.
What are Nootropics?
For more than a quarter of a century, the so-called nootropics have been used in medical practice. These substances affect the primary neurotransmitter systems and the
metabolism
Metabolism
— Metabolism is the set of chemical processes that convert food into energy and building blocks for the body.
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of brain neurons. They improve memory, have a neuroprotective effect, and enhance the central nervous system's resistance to damaging influences.
The term “nootropics” (Greek noos – “mind, thinking”; tropes – “aspiration”) was coined by the Belgian scientist K. Giurgea in 1972 to designate a class of drugs that have a positive effect on the higher integrative functions of the brain.
The most famous drug of this group is Piracetam, which has been synthesized to alleviate memory disorders and improve cognitive function. Later, it was found that it increases mental performance but is devoid of the inherent side effects of psychostimulants, such as the development of dependence, tolerance, withdrawal syndrome, etc.
Due to the wide spectrum of therapeutic activity and extremely low toxicity, nootropics have become very widespread in various fields of medicine. Statistical studies have shown that nootropics are taken by a third of the adult population of Europe and Japan. In this connection, some authors believe that they can reasonably be attributed to the group of vital drugs.
Can Anti-Anxiety Nootropics Help to Find Calm?
Anti-anxiety nootropics are one way of helping oneself through the stress of everyday life. Although initially nootropics were mainly used to treat cerebral dysfunctions in elderly patients with organic brain syndrome, in recent years they have become widely used in various fields of medicine, including neurology, psychiatry, and narcology.
Anxiolytics can be of help if you suffer from:
- various forms of neuroses (neurasthenia),
- psychosomatic pathology,
- climacteric syndrome,
- anxiety caused by age-related changes in the brain,
- chronic stress.
Of course, aggravated anxiety disorders represent a separate group of nosological forms, the treatment of which is in the competence of psychiatrists. And it shall include various psychotropic drugs, mainly antidepressants and, to a lesser extent, tranquilizers.
Anti-anxiety nootropics have been extensively used in Russia and former Soviet countries for many years. They passed all three stages of clinical trials. Therefore they can be used for the treatment of such problems as irritability, nervousness, social anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, anger, etc.
Which Anxiolytics Can I Take?
We would like to point out several categories of anxiolytics in the group of anti-anxiety nootropics:
- The safest ones would be Selank and Afobazole which are rather mild;
- Somewhat stronger products are Phenibut, Picamilon, Grandaxin and Stresam;
- For those who prefer natural ways of regaining internal peace, it might be worth looking at herbal anti-anxiety supplements such as Motherwort.
It is essential to remember that neurological disorders are a complex syndrome resulting from disturbances in neurochemical processes within the brain. They require a consultation with a specialist before using any specific medical means of correcting these changes.
Can Anxiolytics Cause Drowsiness?
During the treatment with most anxiolytics, it is recommended to take caution when driving a car or carrying out potentially dangerous activities that require increased concentration of attention and quick psychomotor reactions.
However, some anti-anxiety nootropics, such as Tenoten, Selank, or Intellan are suitable for administration during the daytime. They have shown no drowsiness or adverse effect on the speed of reaction. On the contrary, besides their ability to maintain the emotional state, they are also known to improve memory and attention, making you active and efficient throughout the day.
Conclusion
To sum up, anti-anxiety nootropics are an indisputable achievement of modern pharmacology. Due to their unique structure, high efficiency, and versatile action, they can reasonably be regarded as promising means of pathogenetic intervention for conditions related to various nervous system deteriorations. Their ability to modulate
neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters
— Chemicals transmitting signals between neurons.
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, enhance
neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity
— The brain’s ability to adapt and form new neural connections.
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, and support cognitive resilience makes them valuable tools in both clinical and integrative approaches to mental health.
However, one shall bear in mind that safe nootropic pharmacotherapy implies the following:
- Only a qualified physician is capable of determining the necessity and suitability of a particular preparation for a patient.
- The selection of an appropriate medication must be grounded in a comprehensive assessment—considering accurate diagnosis, medical history, potential interactions, and the patient’s current treatment plan.
- Awareness that even though most anxiolytic nootropics are considered relatively safe, they are not devoid of potential side effects. In such cases, therapy modification or discontinuation, alongside supportive measures, may be required to mitigate risks.
Ultimately, the key to achieving positive outcomes lies in a balanced approach that combines professional supervision, evidence-based dosing, and self-awareness. When used responsibly and in alignment with medical guidance, anti-anxiety nootropics can help restore calm, improve focus, and support overall emotional well-being—serving as a bridge between neuroscience and
biohacking
Biohacking
— The practice of using science and technology to enhance the body and mind, often through DIY biology, dietary changes, or technology.
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-tips-for-managing-stress" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">holistic mental health.
References
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Ekman, P. (2003).
“Emotions Revealed: Recognizing Faces and Feelings to Improve Communication and Emotional Life”.
Link -
Akhapkina, V. I., Voronina T. A. (2005).
“The Spectrum of pharmacological effects of Phenotropil”.
Link -
Winbald, B. (2006).
“Piracetam: A Review of Pharmacological Properties and Clinical Use”.
Link -
Krasnova, V. V., Kholmogorova, A. B. (2013).
“Social anxiety and suicidal behaviour in students”.
PubMed Central.
Link -
Volkova, A. et al. (2016).
“Selank Administration Affects the Expression of Some Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission”.
PubMed Central.
Link -
Witkin, J. et al. (2024).
“ANXIOLYTICS: Origins, drug discovery, and mechanisms”.
PubMed Central.
Link
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