Buspirone (anti-anxiety) Hydroxyzine (brand name Vistaril, a prescription antihistamine).
Valerian root: This has been found to naturally increase the amount of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which helps regulate nerve cells and calm anxiety. The benzodiazepine medications work this same way.
Valium (diazepam) is a benzodiazepine derivative. The chemical name of diazepam is 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin 2-one. It is a colorless to light yellow crystalline compound, insoluble in water. The empirical formula is C16H13ClN2O and the molecular weight is 284.75.
Valium, a drug from the benzodiazepine family, has powerful effects on the central nervous system, suppressing these abnormal electrical signals in the brain and nerves.
Diazepam may increase the risk of serious or life-threatening breathing problems, sedation, or coma if used along with certain medications.
Kava is a well-studied herbal remedy that has been found to be a safe and effective alternative to prescription drugs for anxiety, without the side effects of benzodiazepines. Like many other relaxing herbal remedies, it works, at least in part, by increasing GABA.
Ashwagandha is an ancient medicinal herb that is popular in Ayurvedic medicine. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen and helps the body manage stress and anxiety. In fact, it has been shown to reduce anxiety and insomnia in rats by 69%. Similarly, magnesium, a natural Xanax alternative, helps calm the mind and improve mood.
Benzodiazepines are a group of depressant drugs. There are many drugs in this group and some, such as diazepam (Valium), are prescribed as medicines in the UK. They're generally prescribed for anxiety or occasionally sleeping problems.
The clinical effect and amnesia begin more rapidly with diazepam, but last longer following lorazepam. Lorazepam is more effective than diazepam in blocking the emergence sequelae from ketamine.
Baclofen and Valium (diazepam) are used for treating muscle spasms. Baclofen is specifically used to treat muscle clonus, rigidity, and pain caused by multiple sclerosis. Baclofen is also injected into the spinal cord to treat severe spasticity, spinal cord injuries, and other spinal cord diseases.
But their basic effect, when ground and mixed with water, is the same: to relax you. Kava roots contain a mix of stress-fighting compounds called kavalactones, which act on the nervous system to various sedative and numbing affects. Drink a cup of kava and your lips and tongue will go numb and your muscles will relax.
Plants, notably Aspergillus fungi, can make a range of benzodiazepines, and these naturally occurring benzodiazepines can also be stored in human brains after being eaten — so it is possible that the receptors evolved to take advantage of these naturally occurring anxiolytics.
The origin of these compounds is still unknown but they are present in medicinal plants and foods. Herein we report the detection of BDZ-like molecules in fruits, vegetables, cereals, meat, milk and cheeses and in different cultivars of potatoes, tomatoes and carrots.
Benzodiazepines (also known as tranquilizers) are the most widely prescribed type of medication for anxiety. Drugs such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam) work quickly, typically bringing relief within 30 minutes to an hour.
Commonly prescribed Alprazolam alternative antidepressant medications used to help with anxiety include Zoloft (sertraline), Prozac (fluoxetine), or Lexapro (escitalopram).
If you take more than your prescribed dose of diazepam you may get symptoms including: poor co-ordination or trouble speaking. feeling sleepy. a slow or irregular heartbeat.
People are not normally prescribed diazepam for more than four weeks as people can become dependent on it if they take it for longer. They may also get withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it. You and your doctor should talk about how long you might need to take diazepam.
Is diazepam addictive? It is possible to become addicted to diazepam. To reduce the risk of becoming addicted, it's best to take the lowest dose that treats your symptoms, and to take it for only a short time (2 to 4 weeks).
Valerian root has been mixed with other botanicals such as hops and kava-kava as a sedative to induce potent, hypnotic sleep. Curiously, valerian plants are so hypnotic that even cats are as attracted to it as catnip!