Anxiety.  We all experience it.  And a lot of the time it can be good for us.  But when it prevents us from living the life that we want to, it can become a real problem. Historically, anxiety was a good thing.  “Oh no, here comes a tiger.  I better do something so I don’t get eaten.”  This kind of anxiety was helpful. But in today’s world, where all of our basic survival needs are generally met, anxiety looks a lot different.  “Oh no, I have to prepare for that test… And figure out what to wear to that party… I need to do laundry…  And go food shopping…  But I can’t spend too much money…  And I need to go to the ATM….” In our fast paced world, worry is unavoidable.  We all have a million things to get done every day.  

Naturally, this creates a great deal of anxiety.  We all stress ourselves out a bit more than we need to.

But a lot of people are using nootropics to reduce stress and anxiety.  One of the biggest benefits that nootropics have over prescription anxiety pills is that they don’t cause the same tiredness and loss of motivation.  In fact, most people report having more motivation and less anxiety with these nootropics.

Another major benefit of nootropics is that they are generally safer and don’t carry the same risk of addiction as many prescription anxiety meds.  Of course, anything that improves the way you feel can be addictive, so make sure to always use good judgement.

So what are the best nootropics for anxiety?  Let’s take a look at some of the top nootropics being used for anxiety around the world today.

The Best Nootropics For Anxiety

Aniracetam

Aniracetam is great for anxiety, especially if you are new to nootropics.  With its low side effect profile and ability to reduce anxiety without causing sedation, this supplement is perfect if you have never taken a smart drug before.  Users generally report a reduction in anxiety and stress with a slight increase in focus. Some even report laser-like focus from this and other similar nootropics.

Aniracetam is in the racetam family of nootropics. It is slightly more potent than piracetam and was created in the 1970’s by the chemist, Hoffman La-Roche.

Like all nootropics, it is not known exactly how aniracetam reduces anxiety. But it is thought to work in the same way as other drugs in the racetam family. Aniracetam has been shown to stimulate the AMPA receptor site. AMPA plays an important role in learning and memory. The anti-anxiety effects of aniracetam are thought to be caused, at least in part, by the activation of the D2 and D3 dopamine receptors. This causes a reduction in anxiety without sedation.

Benefits of Aniracetam:

• Reduced Anxiety
• Improved Memory
• Increased Learning
• Improved Mood
• Heightened Perception

Taking 750 milligrams (mg) or more of Aniracetam can really take the edge off of day-to-day anxiety and help keep you focused.  When taken at these doses, Aniracetam is generally considered to be safe.

L-Theanine

Perhaps you have heard about all of the benefits of drinking green tea.  Most of these benefits come from an amino acid found in tea called t-theanine.  This amino acid promotes a calm, focused feeling.

Unfortunately, you’d have to sit around drinking tea all day to get enough l-theanine to reap its benefits.  But you can get all of the benefits by supplementing with anywhere from 100-600 mg of l-theanine. Some users take higher doses, but most people notice the effects within this range.

It is currently thought that l-theanine works by mimicking the naturally occurring amino acid, glutamate. L-theanine has also been shown to boost dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter known to play a role in motivation, pleasure, and reward. This explains why l-theanine is able to reduce anxiety without causing too much sedation.

Benefits of l-theanine:

• Reduced Anxiety
• Reduced Mental and Physical Stress
• Enhanced Memory
• Synergistic with Caffeine

A lot of people like to take l-theanine with their morning cup of coffee.  Caffeine and l-theanine are a powerful combination. The caffeine in coffee with the l-theanine create a very focused, yet relaxed feeling.  If you enjoy coffee but it gives you the jitters, then taking some l-theanine will allow you to enjoy the stimulating qualities of coffee without the jitters.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is an adatogenic plant that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries all over the world. Adaptogens help the body maintain stability and homeostasis. In addition to a variety of other benefits, ashwagandha is great at reducing anxiety.

This plant is easily one of the best nootropics for anxiety. Its effect can be felt after just one dose. But to experience the full anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects ashwagandha, it needs to be taken daily for several weeks.

The lowest effective ashwagandha dosage seems to be around 500 mg. However, the dosage shown to have the most significant effects in clinical trials is 6,000 mg (6 grams) a day, taken in 2-3 divided doses.

Here are just some of ashwagandha’s benefits:

• Reduced Anxiety
• Improved Mood
• Increased Motivation
• Reduced Fatigue/Stress
• Decreased Cortisol
• Improved Cholesterol Levels
• Improved Immune Function

Fasoracetam

Like aniracetam, this nootropic is a member of the racetam family. Users often report that fasoracetam increases focus and reduces anxiety. While it hasn’t been around as long as aniracetam, fasoracetam is quickly becoming just as popular. It definitely deserves a spot on our list of the best nootropics for anxiety.

At least one study has shown that fasoracetam increases the number of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in certain parts of the brain. GABA is the body’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. It plays a crucial role in stress, anxiety, and relaxation, among other things. Fasoracetam has also been shown to affect acetylcholine and glutamate receptors. These mechanisms of action go a long way in explaining the nootropic benefits of fasoracetam.

Here are some of fasoracetam’s benefits:

• Reduced Anxiety
• Increased Focus
• Increased Motivation
• Improved Memory

People typically take Fasoracetam at dosages of 20-40 mg, 1-3 times a day. Some users require higher doses to notice its effects. While fasoracetam can be highly effective on its own, a lot of users like to stack it with other nootropics.

Rhodiola Rosea

This is another adaptogenic plant like ashwagandha. People all over the world have used Rhodiola rosea, often just called rhodiola, in traditional medicine for centuries. It has a number of health and nootropic benefits including improved mood, reduced anxiety, increased energy, and reduced fatigue.

A number of studies have shown that rhodiola is effective at reducing anxiety. And there are plenty of anecdotal reports of people finding relief from their anxiety with rhodiola. It affects several neurotransmitters, one of which is serotonin. Rhodiola seems to have a powerful effect on this neurotransmitter. We know that serotonin plays a role in mood, anxiety, sleep, and other processes.

Some of rhodiola rosea’s benefits include:

• Improved Mood
• Decreased Anxiety
• Reduced Stress
• Increased Energy
• Reduced Fatigue
• Improved Athletic Performance
• Improved Sleep

Typically, people start Rhodiola at a dosage of 500 mg per day. A lot of people find relief from their anxiety at this dose. However, a higher dosage may be necessary. As always, start small and work your way up as needed.

Also read our blog on N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine