If you notice yourself worrying more frequently and finding it difficult to quiet your anxious thoughts, the underlying cause may be more than just some personal troubles or a frustrating day at the office. Elevated stress levels may be to blame.
While social media offers an unprecedented ability to stay connected with family and friends, it has also magnified our insecurities as we compare our lives to the highlight reels of others. Vast libraries of knowledge are available at our fingertips, and yet online news and TV networks distract and polarize us with a steady diet of fear and outrage. Because of these persistent pressures of modern life, our natural stress response is in a state of heightened alert. As a result, low levels of the calming neurotransmitters GABA and serotonin can cause even a single anxious thought to fill our minds and overwhelm us.
It is unrealistic to completely avoid the stress triggers of modern life. However, a combination of a healthy lifestyle and a well-rounded stress relief supplement can help quiet your mind and promote relaxation, allowing you to stay calm under stress.
How Can You Tell a Good Stress Relief Supplement from a Bad One?
Recent studies have indicated that nearly 3 out of 4 people experience moderate to high stress levels each month that negatively impact their physical and mental health. Moreover, the number of people struggling with stress continues to rise each year. Perhaps it is no surprise, then, that public demand for natural stress remedies is growing rapidly.
And yet, not all supplements are created equal. The fast-growing market for stress relief supplements has lured many companies to release ineffective supplements containing questionable ingredients with little or no proof of efficacy. That's why our staff decided to review all the most popular stress relief formulas today and evaluate them for safety and effectiveness. We will show you what to look for, what to avoid, and which products we determined to be the best.
In our analysis, we noticed a number of companies making exaggerated claims about the level of relief their products can provide, not all of which are likely. What kind of results can you realistically expect from a natural stress relief remedy?
When Will You See Results?
The ingredients in most stress relief supplements can provide some noticeable improvements within 30 days. However, it may take additional time to restore optimal production of GABA and serotonin, allowing you to remain calm even in stressful situations.
Research suggests that 3 months of daily use helps significantly increase the likelihood of lasting improvement. Here is a reasonable timeline to expect:
- Month 1: You may notice a calmer, more relaxed mental state and a reduction in your overall stress levels.
- Month 2: You may feel more confident and capable of maintaining your composure even when encountering a known stress trigger.
- Month 3: Maximum stress relief is reached. You may experience long-lasting improvement in your response to stressful situations, positive changes to self-talk and internal dialogue, and reliable mood support.
Tip: For best results, focus on consistency. Adding an effective natural stress relief remedy to your daily routine for at least 3 months promotes exponential improvement, as each dose builds on the benefits of the last.
So, what characteristics distinguish top-tier stress relief supplements from the rest of the pack?
The 5 Must-Have Ingredients for a Good Stress Relief Supplement
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5-HTP
5-HTP naturally occurs in the body as a precursor to the calming neurotransmitter serotonin, which plays a key role in regulating the speed of communication in the brain. As a supplement, this compound rapidly crosses the blood-brain barrier and helps promote the synthesis of serotonin, which can help quiet anxious thoughts and promote a relaxed mental state.
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L-Theanine
L-theanine is the amino acid in green tea responsible for its ability to relieve stress and promote relaxation without causing drowsiness. Research has shown the natural compound promotes increased production of serotonin, which activates the brain's calming pathways and helps keep you calm and composed when confronted with a stressful situation.
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Ashwagandha
Used for thousands of years in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for its adaptogenic properties, ashwagandha has been shown by modern science to be an effective stress relief remedy. Through its ability to increase the activity of GABA receptors in the brain, ashwagandha helps enhance the stress-relieving effects of the calming neurotransmitters already produced by your body.
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Passion Flower
Grown throughout the southeastern United States, passion flower contains a number of organic compounds which help you feel more relaxed by increasing the body's natural production of GABA, while also improving GABA receptors' ability to bind to the neurotransmitter. When taken as part of your daily regimen, passion flower can help promote a calm inner state and provide effective mood support.
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Lemon Balm
Used since the Middle Ages as a natural stress relief remedy, lemon balm contains natural compounds that help quiet your mind by inhibiting an enzyme that normally breaks down and recycles GABA. In this way, this member of the mint family helps maintain higher levels of GABA for longer, allowing your mind to remain peaceful and relaxed even when faced with a stressful day.
Perhaps even more important, there are certain red flags to be wary of when evaluating an stress relief supplement.
Warning Signs of Potential Scams
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Lack of Clinical Studies
Be wary of companies that cite the clinical efficacy of individual ingredients within a product rather than the effectiveness of the product as a whole. The highest indicator of quality in a supplement is the commission of a placebo-controlled clinical study for safety and effectiveness by an independent third party. You expect the same high standard of research and testing before trusting a medication, so why would you not do the same before trusting a supplement?
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Unproven Ingredients
There are very few natural ingredients for stress relief that are both potent and safe for consumption. Other herbs and compounds billed as natural stress relief remedies have little clinical evidence to back their effectiveness. Watch out for supplements that include an extensive list of ingredients to create the illusion of comprehensive support. More is not necessarily better when it comes to your health. Some of the supplements we reviewed contained more than 10 unique ingredients!
Top 5 Stress Relief Supplements of 2024
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the top stress relief supplements available today, which provides a summary of our research and analysis:
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| Key Ingredients | |||||
| 5-HTP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| L-Theanine | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ashwagandha | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Passion Flower | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Lemon Balm | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Proof of Efficacy | |||||
| Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| No Unproven Ingredients | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Other Considerations | |||||
| No Artificial Additives | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Non-GMO | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gluten-Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Made in a GMP-Certified Laboratory | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Made in the USA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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Below, we break down our rankings and feature detailed reviews of the 5 best natural stress relief remedies we analyzed, beginning with our top pick.
Pros
- Clinically tested against placebo by independent third party
- 2 out of 3 study participants reported stress relief within 30 minutes* and all reported reduction in overall stress levels*
- Contains all 5 must-have ingredients
- No fillers or artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Available online, but not currently sold in retail stores
The Bottom Line
We gave RediCalm by Nutreance our #1 ranking because it is the only stress relief supplement that meets every one of our strict criteria.
RediCalm was clinically tested for safety and effectiveness over the course of 30 days in a placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted by Princeton Consumer Research. Every study participant taking RediCalm noticed a reduction in their overall daily stress levels, significantly outperforming placebo. More importantly, the RediCalm group experienced relief from anxious feelings and nervousness within 30 minutes of taking the product. (Click here for the complete study results).
RediCalm contains all 5 of the ingredients we consider essential for maximum stress relief, including 5-HTP, L-theanine, ashwagandha, passion flower, and lemon balm. It is also produced in a GMP-certified laboratory in New York.
It is available on Amazon.com, but we found significantly better discounts on Nutreance's website. The company also offers other products for mental health, including a natural sleep aid and a cognitive enhancement supplement.
Overall, RediCalm is our top pick for stress relief in 2024.
Click here to visit the product website.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
2. SeroSyn by Metagenics
Pros
- Contains 2 out of 5 must-have ingredients
- No artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- No clinical study
- Does not contain ashwagandha, passion flower, or lemon balm
- Does not adequately address GABA and its role in the body's natural stress response
The Bottom Line
SeroSyn by Metagenics provides effective stress relief that includes 2 of the primary ingredients that we look for in a quality stress relief supplement: 5-HTP and L-theanine.
According to its description on the Metagenics website, this formula is primarily intended to "help modulate serotonin metabolism." While serotonin is essential for controlling anxious thoughts and maintaining a calm mental state, GABA plays an equally important role in modulating the body's natural stress response. Focusing exclusively on serotonin while failing to address GABA limits the product's potential to provide comprehensive stress relief.
The formula also contains Chinese skullcap and Panax ginseng. While these 2 remedies have been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine to promote relaxation and emotional well-being, clinical evidence of their effectiveness is lacking. Though not unsafe, the inclusion of these herbal extracts represents a missed opportunity to use ingredients with greater proof of efficacy.
Most importantly, SeroSyn has not been evaluated for safety and effectiveness in a placebo-controlled clinical study, which could justify the exclusion of ingredients that enhance GABA production.
Click here to visit the product website.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
Pros
- Contains 2 out of 5 must-have ingredients
- No artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- No clinical study
- Does not contain ashwagandha, passion flower, or lemon balm
- Contains GABA, which does not cross the blood-brain barrier
The Bottom Line
Cerenity by Ortho Molecular Products includes 2 essential ingredients for natural stress relief: 5-HTP and L-theanine. It surrounds this core formula with several other compounds intended to increase GABA and serotonin levels for a calmer, relaxed mind.
For this purpose, the inclusion of GABA by Ortho Molecular Products seems logical. However, clinicians have cast doubt on whether GABA supplements can cross the blood-brain barrier. On the other hand, evidence is well-established that natural compounds can enhance the activity of GABA receptors in the brain and boost the body's production of GABA. In this way, the space occupied in the formula by GABA might be better utilized by more effective ingredients, such as ashwagandha or passion flower.
Cerenity also features a broad array of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. This is intended to supply the basic building blocks of the neurotransmitters which regulate the body's natural stress response. However, most modern diets provide sufficient quantities of these compounds, especially if a multivitamin is part of your daily regimen.
Lastly, they have not tested the product for effectiveness in a clinical study.
Click here to visit the product website.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
4. NeuroCalm by Designs for Health
Pros
- Contains 2 out of 5 must-have ingredients
- No artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- No clinical study
- Does not contain ashwagandha, passion flower, or lemon balm
- Contains some ingredients with limited proof of efficacy
The Bottom Line
NeuroCalm by Designs for Health features 2 of the most essential ingredients for effective stress relief, 5-HTP and L-theanine, plus several other compounds intended to support production of GABA and serotonin.
Like Cerenity, NeuroCalm prominently contains GABA. However, several notable studies have established the poor bioavailability of this calming neurotransmitter through oral consumption. This suggests the inclusion of GABA may be intended for marketing purposes rather than for efficacy.
Also featured in the formula are chamomile and phosphatidylserine. While it is a common floral ingredient in relaxing tea blends, there is little clinical evidence suggesting chamomile is an effective stress reliever. In addition, the few trials which showed promise involved supplementation with doses of more than 1500 mg, which is over 7 times more than is contained in one serving size of NeuroCalm.
On the other hand, phosphatidylserine is backed by several studies demonstrating its effectiveness. Yet, the most convincing studies supported its ability to enhance memory and focus rather than reduce stress or nervousness.
Most importantly, the product as a whole has not been tested by an independent, third-party clinical study.
Click here to visit the product website.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
Pros
- Contains 2 out of 5 must-have ingredients
- No artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- No clinical study
- Does not contain 5-HTP, passion flower, or lemon balm
- Focuses on cortisol, a side effect of stress, rather than the underlying cause
The Bottom Line
Cortisolv by Xymogen contains L-theanine and ashwagandha, both of which boost production of GABA and serotonin. However, this is not the intended purpose of this product. Instead, it is formulated to help reduce levels of cortisol.
From blood pressure and glucose metabolism to immune response and inflammation, cortisol plays an essential role in managing numerous bodily functions. However, it is best known as the "stress hormone." When your mind perceives a threat in the form of physical danger or anxious thoughts, cortisol is released to prompt the body's fight-or-flight response. When stress levels remain high for long periods of time, cortisol levels stay elevated and can negatively impact your health.
Cortisolv's stated goal is to reduce stress by supporting healthy cortisol levels. However, this focuses on the side effects of stress rather than its underlying cause. Our experts prefer addressing the activity and production of GABA and serotonin, which more directly and effectively influence the actual source of anxious feelings: your mental state.
A clinical study would go a long way to validate this formula's indirect approach to stress relief. Unfortunately, none have been conducted yet for this product.
Click here to visit the product website.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.