Natural-remedies-for-anxiety Archives

How to Supercharge Your Mood with Natural Products and Remedies

In our fast-paced world, maintaining a positive mood can be challenging. With increasing awareness of mental health, many are turning to natural products and remedies to enhance their mood. This article delves into mood supercharging, consideringthe benefits of natural products and lifestyle changes.

Understanding Mood Supercharging

Mood supercharging refers to using various techniques and remedies to improve emotional well-being. Scientifically, it involves influencing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, critical in regulating mood. This enhancement is crucial not only for those experiencing mood disorders but also for anyone seeking to improve their overall emotional health.

Who Needs Mood Supercharging?

Virtually everyone can benefit from mood supercharging at some point. Our emotional state can often boost, whether due to stress, seasonal changes, or ups and downs. It’s particularly beneficial for individuals facing anxiety, depression, or other mood-related challenges.

The Case for Natural Products and Remedies

Opting for natural products and lifestyle changes over pharmaceuticals has its advantages. Natural remedies typically come with fewer side effects and can be gentler on the body. They often work by supporting the body’s natural processes, leading to a more holistic improvement in mood. As we delve deeper into natural mood enhancement, the following list will explore a variety of alternative remedies and herbal options.

It will also introduce you to a range of activities that can uplift your spirits. They are designed to be easily integrated into your daily routine, requiring nothing more than a bit of free time and your willingness to engage. So, let’s embark on this journey together towards a happier, more balanced life!

Kratom: A Natural Mood Enhancer

Kratom, derived from a Southeast Asian tree, is known for its mood-lifting properties. It affects opioid receptors in the brain, potentially elevating mood and providing relief from anxiety and depression symptoms. However, it’s essential to use kratom responsibly due to its varying effects.

The liquid form is known for its quick absorption and rapid onset of effects, making it ideal for those seeking immediate relief. Powdered kratom can be easily incorporated into teas or smoothies, offering a more gradual mood enhancement. For a convenient and enjoyable option, you can find kratom gummies for sale. They provide a discreet and tasty way to consume kratom, perfect for on-the-go use, offering a tasty and effective way to boost your mood.

St. John’s Wort: Nature’s Antidepressant

St. John’s Wort has been used since the dawn of time to treat depression and anxiety. It’s believed to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, thus improving mood and alleviating symptoms of depression.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Brain Health Boosters

Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil and flaxseeds are crucial for brain health, especially in cognitive function and mood regulation, making them essential to any mood-boosting regimen.

Probiotics: Gut-Brain Connection

The gut-brain connection is critical for emotional well-being. Probiotics maintain a healthy gut flora, improving mood and reducing anxiety and depression symptoms.

Green Tea: Calming and Uplifting

Green tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation without drowsiness. It also has a moderate amount of caffeine, providing a balanced boost in mood and energy.

Dark Chocolate: Delicious Mood Enhancer

Dark chocolate, rich in flavonoids, has been shown to increase levels of endorphins and serotonin in the brain. This makes it not only a tasty treat but also a mood-enhancing one.

Lavender: Soothing Aromatherapy

Lavender is popular in aromatherapy for its calming effects. Its soothing scent reduces stress and anxiety, promoting well-being and relaxation.

Ashwagandha: Ancient Stress Reliever

Ashwagandha, a famous herb used in Ayurvedic medicine, helps the body manage stress. It’s known to reduce cortisol levels, thereby improving mood. It also combats anxiety and depressionsymptoms.

Chamomile: Gentle Relaxation

Chamomile, often consumed as a tea, is renowned for its calming properties. It’s particularly effective in managing anxiety and promoting relaxation, making it a go-to natural remedy for a mood boost.

Exercise: Natural Endorphin Booster

Regular physical activity is a powerful mood enhancer. Exercise releases endorphins, natural mood lifters, and reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol.

Outdoor Walks: Sunshine and Vitamin D

Exposure to sunlight boosts Vitamin D production in the body, which is crucial for mood regulation. Vitamin D deficiency has a strong link with depression, making regular sun exposure a simple yet effective way to enhance mood.

Yoga: Harmonizing Body and Mind

Yoga, an ancient practice combining physical exercise (postures), breathing techniques, and meditation, offers a holistic approach to mood enhancement. Regular practice can significantly improve emotional well-being, making it a powerful tool for those looking to elevate their mood naturally.

Mindful Meditation: Cultivating Inner Calm

The practice involves focusing on the present moment and acknowledging one’s feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations. In many people, it reduces stress and anxiety, leading to an improved mood. Regular meditation can transform your approach to life’s challenges, promoting a sense of tranquility and contentment.

Which of These Remedies Do You Use to Boost Your Mood?

Supercharging your mood with natural products and remedies offers a holistic approach to emotional well-being. From kratom to chamomile, these natural enhancers provide a gentler alternative to pharmaceuticals, often with fewer side effects. Incorporating these remedies into your routine can significantly improve mood, improving overall mental health and happiness. While natural products can be incredibly effective, working closely with a healthcare professional is mandatory, especially when starting a new health routine.

How to Use Crystals and Gemstones for Anxiety & Stress

Crystals are versatile and can be used for many purposes, such as protection, manifesting success and wealth, self-discovery, connecting to yourself, enhancing intuition, and so much more. So it’s no surprise that crystals can be great tools for coping with anxiety, fear, and stress.

If you struggle with anxiety in social situations, intrusive negative thoughts, stress from overworking, or going through a difficult life period, you might want to learn how to use crystals for these issues.

So don’t hesitate to incorporate crystals and gemstones into your daily life and harness their energies to deal with tension and anxiety and improve your mental and physical well-being.

Meditate with crystals for anxiety and stress

You might already know that a meditation routine can help you relax and become more aware of what triggers your anxiety and stress. It can improve focus and your body-mind connection.

But adding crystals to your mindfulness routine can enhance the positive effects of meditation and infuse your body with calming, gentle energies. And if you have never tried meditating with a crystal, you can start small with a crystal palm stone (no need to have all of your chakra centers covered in gemstones).

Sit comfortably and hold a crystal palm stone in your hands. Take a few deep breaths. Feel the air flowing through your nose, throat, and lungs, then breathe normally. Focus on how the crystal feels, and bring your attention back whenever your mind wanders. The point is to stay in the present moment and use the stone as an anchor.

Recommended palm stones for stress and anxiety

The following palm stones carry gentle vibes known to alleviate overwhelming stress and anxiety. You can start meditation with which one of them better resonates with you.

Amethyst palm stone – has calming, anti-stress, and healing properties. It’s an excellent meditation stone for people struggling with generalized anxiety and depression.

Sodalite palm stone – its energy is soothing and supporting for those who struggle with panic attacks and are overall sensitive to stress. Combine sodalite with meditation to strengthen the mind and achieve emotional balance.

Selenite palm stone – will help you relax and clear your worries during meditation. It has a pure vibe that can heal on all levels. And if you want to meditate with more than one stone, selenite will purify and amplify the energy of your crystals.

Start journaling with crystals to reduce stress and anxiety

Another way of using crystals for anxiety and meditation is while journaling. Keeping a journal is a beneficial self-care habit and can help those struggling with anxiety, depression, and stress express and manage their emotions.

Journaling can also improve self-confidence and help you observe and recognize the thoughts that increase anxiety and stress. You can enrich your journaling practice with crystals that carry calming energies, give you a clear mind and improve self-expression.

So choose the crystal you wish to use for journaling and place it on the pages for a few minutes before starting writing. Or you can have the crystal on your desk while writing if you want the gemstone to infuse your aura with its energy all the time.

There is also the option of holding a small crystal in your hand while writing with the other hand. You can write in your journal using crystals this way if you want to feel the stone closer to your mind and body.

Recommended crystal for journaling to reduce anxiety

If you wonder what crystals are best for journaling to reduce your anxiety and stress, you might want to consider the following stones:

Blue lace agate – helps you communicate and express yourself without tension and frustration. Blue lace agate crystals are nurturing and supportive, perfect for anxious people trying to put their experiences into words.

Amazonite – is one of the best crystals for opening and balancing the Throat Chakra. Amazonite can help you better express your emotions, improve self-esteem and distill fear of judgment. It can alleviate stress and anxiety caused by perfectionism and negative opinions of oneself.

Lapis lazuli – is a crystal for those who want to improve their self-awareness through journaling to learn how to deal with anxiety. It also helps with discovering your inner truth and purpose, which is helpful if you tend to become easily depressed.

Wear crystal jewelry to ease anxiety and tension

Wearing a crystal with a calming and serene vibe as jewelry can maintain good moods and ward off negative thoughts that trigger anxiety and stress. This is also a simple way of incorporating crystals into your lifestyle and improving your overall mental and spiritual well-being.

A rose quartz bracelet is easy to wear and efficiently supports self-love and compassion. In difficult situations, rose quartz will teach you how to treat yourself gently, take care of yourself, and prioritize your needs.

Black tourmaline pendants are great for protection as they clear negative energies and help resolve inner conflicts. It can support your aura in stressful moments and nourish your body by strengthening your immune system.

Caribbean blue calcite pendants are great for calming the mind and balancing emotions. You can wear it for its healing, serene vibes, and ability to relieve body tension.

And if you are not keen on wearing jewelry, you can always take a worry stone or crystal grumpy stone with you in your pocket. It will help your ease anxiety and put a smile on your face.

Relax with gemstone candles and herbs

Taking time for self-care and relaxation can improve your anxiety and stress symptoms. You can take a few minutes every day or a few hours per week and just relax, do something you enjoy, and reconnect with your inner world.

Candles containing crystals, dry herbs, and even essential oils can improve the quality of your self-care habits and bring peace of mind. They are also cute and can create that self-pampering cozy vibe any anxious or stressed person can enjoy.

So here are some examples of using gemstone candles for relaxation and quality alone time:

● Use lavender and clear quartz candles when taking a bubble bath.

● Use scented organic wax metals with chakra crystals during yoga or meditation.

● Keep a candle with amethyst crystal, chamomile flowers, and essential oils close to you when enjoying your hobby.

● Burn a candle containing Rhodonite crystals, Juniper Berry, and Bergamot when reading a self-help book or writing about self-forgiveness

● Celebrate small moments and achievements with a candle that contains crystals such as amazonite, amethyst, blue lace agate, carnelian, citrine, and rose quartz.

Follow intuition when choosing crystals

There are many ways to use crystals to improve your ability to cope with stress and anxiety. But your intuition is the most important thing when choosing which crystals to use and how.

You are in charge of telling which method and gemstone work for you, so don’t hesitate to choose based on your gut feeling and search for whatever benefits you. So when you go shopping for crystals, observe how you feel around the stones, which speak to you and attract you into interacting with them. And when you don’t feel your intuition sharp enough, don’t worry. Guidance can come from unexpected places.

About the author

Xenia Mateiu is the founder of Village Rock Shop, a gift shop based in Carlsbad, California. In the gift shop, you will find a variety of crystals, gemstones, geodes, and other locally made crystal products that can help with finding peace of mind, relieving tension, stress, and anxiety, and improving mental and spiritual well-being.

Kava and Kratom: The Craze and The Safety Issues

There is a great deal of emphasis placed on natural ingredients (read more), whether in food or beauty products, even in modern times. Many people—millions, in fact! — are going green due to fear of chemical-based developments. The use of herbal supplements as a primary source of health care is still living in the medical practice, and research says it brings a promise.

In fact, there is so much hype surrounding the potential benefits of plant-based health supplements, which it is sometimes difficult to know if it’s factual or a bluff. While it’s true that health supplements can be a big help, it’s not true that they don’t have any risks associated nor a necessity to take. However, it is possible to become swept up in a new craze that originates in faraway lands, and we do so quite frequently without first educating ourselves.

The same is true with other plant-based nutrients. As anxiety and other ailments become more prevalent throughout the world, more people are attempting to find alternative treatments for them.

Kava and Kratom are two examples of plant-based supplements that are gaining popularity in recent years. To learn more about Kava vs Kratom, we’ve tackled each of these natural herbs to better see. They bring similar effects but, definitely, far different from one another.

What Is Kava?

What started the kava craze is more than just a drink; it is also a cultural phenomenon. Kava, also known as Piper methysticum, is a tropical plant that has been around for a long time. In fact, its benefits have been widely recognized for thousands of years. Kava was used in a variety of uses—ceremonious practices and otherwise. Later on, people began to realize the benefits of kava root in terms of promoting wellness.

Kava: Benefits

It’s worth noting that the kava plant is related to the pepper family. This plant’s roots are high in a substance known as kavain, also known by the scientific name kavalactone. Particularly, kavalactones have been shown to reduce anxiety while simultaneously promoting relaxation and sedation, which are the popular claims in this herbal medicine. Kava root, which is made by grinding the root and dissolving it in water, affects those who consume it. Users say that it’s like alcohol but not addicting.

According to the National Institutes Health, kava has been shown effective for its mild anxiety-reducing effect for the short term. Also, many people prefer using it for a night of better sleep. Thanks to its anxiolytic effects, people use it as an alternative therapy for sleep disorders. This natural drug may even help you feel happy, relaxed, and stress-free!

Kava: Risks

However, this natural element appears to be hepatotoxic. Thus, it may cause liver damage if not taken in the right way.

Additionally, consuming alcoholic beverages while taking kava may increase the risk of liver damage in some people. Several other medications, such as benzodiazepines and antidepressants, may interact with this drug as well. With this in mind, it is crucial to check the dosage and to consult your doctor first before consuming kava. That ensures that you’ll be receiving the claims well without experiencing adverse results.

Also, it may vary with the strain and the manner you’ve prepared it. If it’s made by extracting the kavalactones with water along with the noble kava— the traditional way— they say that it is the safest and the purest form (link: https://www.verywellmind.com/kava-kava-what-you-need-to-know-89703) of kava consumption. For centuries, people in the South Pacific have tried drinking kava. It is now recognized as an enjoyable beverage used as herbal medicine and for pleasure. But if abused, drinking kava can lead to serious health issues, including:

● Malnutrition

● Weight loss

● Liver toxicity

● Dry skin

● Dark urine

● Depression

● Fatigue

What Is Kratom?

Similarly, Kratom was also used in social, religious, and ceremonial celebrations back then. The evergreen tree, Mitragyna speciosa thatgrows in Southeast Asia and is used to treat various ailments. From its leaves is where Kratom is extracted. Kratom leaves can be chewed, and powdered Kratom can be swallowed or brewed, depending on the preparation. It is often found in the market in a liquid form.

Kratom: Benefits

Kratom is believed to act on opioid receptors in the brain. It containsa compound called Mitragynine, a psychoactive substance, which is responsible for creating a similar reaction to the drug morphinewhich is helpful for people who struggle with withdrawal. Studies show that it can significantly dull the pain you’re experiencing.

It acts as a stimulant causing users to feel more energized and feel euphoric. At the same time, it has pain-relieving properties and may cause sedation that may cause you to be sleepy after consuming one. This herb is considered a recreational drug and a medicine.

Kratom: Risks

Kratom was considered a safe alternative to opioids and other prescription pain relievers in the early years. But after a long, compelling study on the effects of Kratom, research revealed a slew of safety concerns showing a no-to-little promise of the benefits of Kratom.

Kratom is not currently considered an illegal substance in the federal state. It has been relatively simple to purchase in several markets. Still, some states and municipalities have chosen to outlaw the substance, making it illegal to sell, possess, cultivate, or use it in any way.

Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory about this drug last 2019. The side effects associated could negatively impact your health. In most cases, the Kratom you’ve been hearing isn’t well-researched, unlike kava.

Although Kratom is not the same as an opiate substance, its effects are unmistakably similar to those of a class of drugs known as opiates—and the possibility of addiction still exists. Especially since most researchers believe that this substance’s side effects and safety issues outweigh any potential health benefits, it is essential not to risk it at all. Instead of getting health wellness, Kratom abuse may endanger health and cause:

● Dryness

● Constipation

● Fatigue

● Nausea

● Bone pain

● Anxiety

As with everything, moderate use of these substances is best advised. Everything taken in excess never brings desirable effects, after all. Consult with a professional before starting anything new!

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Why Anxiety Sufferers Are Increasingly Seeking Relief from Cannabis

Anxiety can be brought on by many different things. Stress at work, relationship hardships, financial woes, or an underlying mental health disorder can all serve as the root cause of anxious thoughts and feelings. Many of us are affected by it, and a recent study from the ADAA even showed that over 40 million American adults struggle with anxiety.

The good news is that there are ways to treat it, and it doesn’t have to involve prescription drugs like Zoloft or Lexapro. More and more adults are using cannabis as a treatment for anxiety, and many of them have found relief.

So what is it about cannabis that makes it a viable anxiety treatment, and why are so many people finding it to be effective? Keep reading to find out.

A Brief History of Cannabis for Anxiety

Anxiety has been around since humans started walking the Earth. Our brains are programmed to handle stress in different ways, and experiencing anxious thoughts, feelings, and tendencies is the most common effect of this stress.

Even though anxiety has been around since the dawn of time, it wasn’t until a few decades ago that cannabis became a serious contender for anxiety treatment. Before using marijuana as medicine, turning to antidepressant-type drugs was the norm for anxiety treatment (and before that, it was the archaic practices like electroshock therapy).

As marijuana began to become more accepted, extensive research started being done on cannabis for anxiety in the late 90s. A lot of the findings pointed to the same thing: that medical marijuana is a potential treatment option for stress, depression, and anxiety.

How Cannabis Works to Relieve Anxiety

It’s important to realize that everyone reacts to cannabis differently, mainly because we all have a different chemical makeup. But for those who do experience relief from anxiety and stress, it has to do with just that – chemical makeup.

Cannabis contains natural chemical compounds called cannabinoids that, when ingested, latch on to the receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) of the human body. There’s still a lot that remains unknown about the ECS, but science has found that this system plays a major role in regulating functions like sleep, mood, memory, and appetite.

When cannabis is ingested and the chemical compounds connect with the ECS receptors, they can have an effect on each of these functions. That’s why medical marijuana is not only used to treat mood disorders and stress, but also to help with sleep and stimulate appetite.

Check out some recommended CBD products here https://www.healthcanal.com/best-cbd-oil/anxiety

5 Reasons More Anxiety Patients Are Turning to Cannabis

Now that you’ve got the general gist of cannabis and anxiety, it probably makes more sense that people are ditching the anti-depressants and turning to this holistic alternative instead. There are 5 reasons in particular that cannabis is gaining so much traction among anxiety sufferers:

1. It’s becoming more accepted and has less of a negative stigma.

2. And it’s considered a “greener” option over prescription anti-depressants.

3. It’s much easier to access, and might not even require a prescription.

4. And It can be taken in many different forms.

5. There are fewer side effects than with RX anti-depressants.

It’s More Accepted than Ever Before

In the past, the stigma surrounding cannabis was a negative one. Terms like stoner and pothead were frequently used to describe someone who used marijuana, and these people were often viewed as lazy and unmotivated.

This is no longer the normal perception. Now, everyone and their mother is using cannabis to treat something or another. Well, that might be an overstatement, but the frequency of use has definitely increased over the past years.

A huge reason for this is the push for legalization, especially throughout North America. In Canada, it’s officially legal to use cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes, and many of the US states are following suit.

It’s the “Greener” Alternative

We don’t just mean that literally, but also figuratively. Cannabis is a plant, and it’s a very green plant at that. It’s not only green in the sense that the medicine is grown from the ground instead of synthesized in a lab, but it’s also a better alternative for the environment.

If you consider yourself an eco-warrior, maybe you’ve already thought about using cannabis to alleviate your anxiety. Like growing any crop, as long as it’s done sustainably and ethically, it poses very little risk to the environment.

The most environmentally conscious anxiety sufferers are even turning to a medical cannabis grow license to cultivate their own medicine from home. By growing cannabis for anxiety at home, you have complete control and eliminate pesticides, herbicides, and other products that are harmful to the planet.

It’s Becoming Easier to Access

We’ve already touched on the expanding legality of cannabis, and this is the main reason why medical (and recreational) marijuana is easier to access than ever. Now that Canada and a good portion of the US have legalized weed, many anxiety sufferers can just head to their local dispensary to browse their treatment options.

Retail dispensaries are popping up everywhere, and there are even some legal online retailers that will deliver cannabis right to your doorstep. Who knew that one day accessing cannabis would be as easy as opening up your laptop, clicking a few buttons, and waiting for the delivery to arrive. Well, that day has officially come in many parts of the world.

However, because there is such a demand for cannabis for different medical reasons, there are a lot of marijuana providers that aren’t completely legit and legal. Before you buy cannabis for anxiety, just make sure it’s from a legit source.

There Are Many Ingestion Options

The only real way to take anti-depressant meds is by popping a pill. By using cannabis for anxiety instead, a person has countless options for how to ingest their medicine. While you still have the option to stick to the traditional pill-form, cannabis can also be ingested by:

● Edibles & Oils

● Vaping

● Smoking

● Dabbing

● Topicals

Needless to say, cannabis offers many more options for ingestion – you can even become more relaxed by chowing down on flavorful cannabis-infused gummy bears.

There Are Fewer Side Effects for Most People

Most prescription medications come with a long list of risks and side effects. It’s a scary thing when an advertisement for a new anti-anxiety med hits the market, and one of the side effects listed is “death”. With cannabis, you have much less to worry about when it comes to harmful risks and potential negative side effects.

A CDC report on drug overdose found that “opioids—mainly synthetic opioids (other than methadone)—are currently the main driver of drug overdose deaths. Opioids were involved in 46,802 overdose deaths in 2018 (69.5% of all drug overdose deaths).”

As is the case with any medication, there’s always some risk involved, but the good news is that there’s no known risk of addiction or overdose like there is with opioids and anti-depressants.

The Takeaway?

The most important reason why so many anxiety sufferers are seeking relief from cannabis has to do with its effectiveness. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but many anxiety patients have switched to cannabis or supplemented their current treatment with medical marijuana and found success.