Best Supplements for Reduced Anxiety
Ranked by research evidence. Compare 72 supplements across 89 papers from the biomedical literature, with effect direction, evidence strength, and dose range for each.
Top picks by evidence
- Moderate evidence7 studies
Across 7 studies, 6 reported beneficial effects for reducing anxiety, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. 5 of the 6 beneficial studies reached statistical significance. The evidence is most consistent for situational anxiety (e.g., pre-surgery, dental procedures), though many studies combined passion flower with other herbs such as valerian.
- Moderate evidence4 studies
Across 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 on reduced anxiety, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The strongest evidence comes from a randomized controlled trial in 423 pregnant and postpartum women, which found a significant reduction in clinically relevant anxiety (OR=0.44). The median study duration was 730 days, but this reflects only one study; effects were observed in pregnant and postpartum women, with a smaller neutral study in children.
Dose: daily from enrolment until 6 months postpartum if breastfeeding (one study), and daily from 35 weeks gestation until six months if breastfeeding (another study); no consistent dose range across all studies - Low evidence3 studies
Across 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects (one small, one moderate) and 1 was neutral, indicating modest evidence for anxiety reduction with lavender. The highest-quality study in postmenopausal women showed a small effect at 500 mg/day oral dose over 8 weeks. Effects are primarily observed in specific populations (elderly women and children) and with different delivery forms, limiting generalizability.
- ModeratePassion FlowerAcross 7 studies, 6 reported beneficial effects for reducing anxiety, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. 5 of the 6 beneficial studies reached statistical significance. The evidence is most consistent for situational anxiety (e.g., pre-surgery, dental procedures), though many studies combined passion flower with other herbs such as valerian.6 beneficial1 neutral7 studies
- ModerateLactobacillus rhamnosus HN001Across 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 on reduced anxiety, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The strongest evidence comes from a randomized controlled trial in 423 pregnant and postpartum women, which found a significant reduction in clinically relevant anxiety (OR=0.44). The median study duration was 730 days, but this reflects only one study; effects were observed in pregnant and postpartum women, with a smaller neutral study in children. · Dose: daily from enrolment until 6 months postpartum if breastfeeding (one study), and daily from 35 weeks gestation until six months if breastfeeding (another study); no consistent dose range across all studies3 beneficial1 neutral4 studies
- LowLavenderAcross 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects (one small, one moderate) and 1 was neutral, indicating modest evidence for anxiety reduction with lavender. The highest-quality study in postmenopausal women showed a small effect at 500 mg/day oral dose over 8 weeks. Effects are primarily observed in specific populations (elderly women and children) and with different delivery forms, limiting generalizability.2 beneficial1 neutral3 studies