Manage your mental health

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, one in five Canadians will personally experience a mental health problem such as anxiety or depression in any given year. By the age of 40, half of all Canadians will have, or have had, a mental illness, regardless of their age, education, income, or culture. Nearly half of all Canadians report suffering from anxiety. Natural solutions for anxiety, stress, and depression are abundant and can be an excellent first step in helping Canadians manage their mental health when medication is not yet necessary. Below is an overview of three natural treatments for stress and/or stress-related problems.

GABA for anxiety and related insomnia.

By definition, GABA is both an amino acid and a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers of our central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) that have profound effects on our mood, sleep-wake cycles, and so on. GABA stands out as our main inhibitory neurotransmitter, and as such, it is associated with a state of calm and relaxation. When GABA levels rise, we relax. As GABA levels decrease, we become more anxious and unstable. At the extreme, very low GABA levels would plunge us into a state of seizures. Studies suggest that major depressive disorders may be associated with a "modified GABA-induced response." Human studies suggest that an oral dose of 100 mg of GABA is associated with an increase in the ratio of alpha waves in the brain. Alpha waves are present during a state of relaxation. Clinically, people find GABA useful for stress and/or stress-related insomnia. NOW® GABA helps promote relaxation and reduces nervous tension and anxiety.

NOW® 5-HTP 100 mg to promote mood.

5-HTP is a compound that the brain converts into serotonin, which in turn is converted into melatonin. Serotonin is one of the main neurotransmitters attributed to feelings of happiness. Serotonin also stimulates social behavior, improves memory, and regulates appetite, digestion, sleep, desire, and sexual function. Melatonin is an essential hormone for a good night's sleep. Most traditional antidepressant medications, especially SSRIs (Prozac being the most common) target serotonin. However, these medications are not tolerated by everyone due to their side effects. Stress-related overeating and obesity are not uncommon. In randomized controlled trials, 5-HTP has been shown to inhibit appetite, thereby reducing food intake. 5-HTP has been clinically validated to relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia and reduce the severity of headaches and migraines.

NOW® Ashwagandha 400 mg.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb with a long tradition of use in Ayurvedic medicine in India. The Sanskrit name ashwagandha translates to "smell of horse" as it is believed to confer the strength and virility of a horse. It is best known as an "adaptogen" which contains substances believed to allow us to adapt to or better tolerate stress. Studies show that ashwagandha has significant effects on reducing anxiety. It also appears to significantly reduce other stress-related experiences, including fatigue and temporary cognitive impairment. In addition, ashwagandha has been observed to reduce cortisol, a hormone that can increase excessively when we are stressed.