Top 5 Supplements for Stress & Anxiety in
2024

Getting a handle on your stress levels is a key part of feeling your best. But can a stress supplement truly help? Here are our top picks for supplements to help support everyday stress.

What is stress?

Many experience stress from time to time but some may struggle with it more often than others. The causes of stress vary from person to person, and can be caused by a number of factors.

Some common causes of stress include:
  • Major life changes
  • School or work challenges
  • Financial problems
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Children and family
  • Overscheduling
  • Not having time to relax

According to Yale Medicine, stress can be either short-term, resulting from a reaction to a specific event, or long-term, which is a more persistent “sense of feeling pressured or overwhelmed”.[1]

Understanding when you are stressed can help with getting it under control. Stress can look different for everyone, and may affect us both physically and mentally.

Potential signs of stress include…

Headaches and body aches
Overeating or undereating
Mood swings
Fatigue or restlessness
Lack of motivation
Inability to sleep
Upset stomach
Irritability or anger issues
Change in sex drive
Muscle tension

Potential benefits of stress support supplements

Along with getting plenty of rest, exercise, following a healthy diet, and practicing stress-soothing exercises like yoga and meditation, certain supplements may also help some people with managing stress better.*

Who might benefit from a stress supplement?*

Certain groups of people might want to pay extra attention to their stress levels. This includes anyone who:
Often deals with stress e.g. from a high-pressure job or in their personal lives*
Struggles with getting good quality sleep*
Is feeling moodier than usual*
Leads a hectic and busy lifestyle*
Finds it hard to include practices like yoga or meditation in their routine*
Feels tense and unable to relax properly*
Note: These statements are not intended to substitute professional medical or mental health advice. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider for accurate advice, diagnosis, and treatment plan. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before starting a new supplement. Supplements affect everyone differently and individual results may vary.

How might you potentially benefit from adding a stress supplement to your routine?*

Everyone has individual needs and the experience of making changes in your wellness routine will vary from person to person. Here are some examples of how including more daily stress support may look for different people:

How might you benefit from adding a stress supplement to your routine?*

\

1–2 Months

  • Feeling that their mood is light*
  • Feeling energized*
  • Feeling like they can focus*
\

3–6 Months

  • Having daily stress support*
  • Coping with fatigue and trouble concentrating*
\

6+ Months

  • General stress management support*
  • Experiencing daily calm*
  • Feeling satisfied with their sleep quality*

Note: Individual results may vary. The benefits stated are based on personal experiences and subjective feedback and may vary from person to person.

It’s always advisable to consult with your physician before starting a new supplement routine.

Popular ingredients used to support stress*

These are some of the top stress-supporting ingredients to look for in your stress supplements:
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Ashwagandha: As one of the most important herbs in ancient Ayurveda, ashwagandha has long been a common go-to ingredient for stress, concentration, and energy support. One downside of some ashwagandha supplements is that they have poor absorption support. These typically have a higher serving size and may need to be taken throughout the day. Look for ashwagandha supplements containing “sustained-release” ashwagandha obtained. This means that the compounds are released over an extended period of time. These are usually supplements that only need to be taken once a day.*

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Rhodiola Rosea:  Used as a remedy for centuries in Russia, Europe, and Asia, Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogen that may support stress resistance. Rhodiola may also have the potential to help with symptoms related to burnout, as well as support mood, motivation, and mental fatigue.*

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L-Theanine: Theanine, or L-theanine, is an amino acid commonly found in green and black tea that may help support calm. It is thought to work by reducing stress chemicals and supporting serotonin.*
N
B Vitamins: Certain B vitamins, for example, B1, B6, B9, and B12, are considered incredibly important for healthy brain function. They help support mental clarity, cellular energy, focus, energy production, and brain fog.*
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Valerian Root: Valerian root is an herb native to Europe and parts of Asia and has been used to promote feelings of calmness in the body. It’s thought to do this by supporting GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) levels in the brain. GABA is an amino acid that may support mood and calm.*

How may other stress supplements on the market not meet your needs?

Like stress, stress supplements can get pretty complex. There are endless products to choose from, making it hard to know which one to pick.

All stress support supplements are NOT created equal.

Choosing the best possible stress support formula all comes down to knowing what to look for and what to avoid so that you never waste your time or money.

Here are some of the top things you may want to try to avoid when shopping for a stress support supplement:

Try To Avoid

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Unclear Labels:  A quality stress relief supplement should clearly list exactly what’s included in the formula. Avoid products lacking transparency that don’t list all of the specific ingredients included in the formula
M

Missing Safety Testing & Certifications:  Choose a stress support supplement that has been independently third-party lab tested and manufactured in the USA. These precautions will guarantee that the product is top quality and free from unwanted extras, such as contaminants, traces of heavy metals, or pesticides.

M
False or Misleading Claims:  Beware of any supplements that claim their product treats or cures any specific disease or ailment, or promises miraculous, unrealistic, or misleading results. Always speak to your doctor before starting a new supplement routine
M
Suspiciously Cheap Products:  When it comes to your mental (and physical) health, this is definitely not an area to test out suspiciously cheap products. There are plentiful options to choose from that are high-value and still affordable. In this case, you do get what you pay for!

Top Stress
Supplements 2024

1. RegenMax

by Summit Labs [1]

GRADE

A+

PROS

N

Clinically-backed Formula

N

Blend of 20+ withanolides

N

Contains vitamin B6, rhodiola, L-theanine, and theobromine

N

Delicious Gummies

N

Certified safety and purity testing

N

90-day money-back guarantee

N

Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients

ConS

M

Only available online

M

Due to high demand, sometimes runs out of stock

BOTTOM LINE

RegenMax by Summit Labs features a blend of ingredients including the adaptogens ashwagandha and rhodiola, the amino acid L-theanine, vitamin B6, and cocoa bean extract (theobromine). This formula contains a unique blend of active ingredients found in ashwagandha thanks to the cutting-edge Prolanza™ Ashwagandha Root Extract, a clinically-tested ashwagandha extract that was shown to support stress management, sleep quality, memory, and focus in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.*

This stress support formula comes in a convenient, once-daily capsule, making it easy to take consistently. Primal Stress Relief offers quality and convenience, plus great value-for-money. It’s made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients and is always third-party lab tested.

The brand has a convenient Subscribe & Save program which means you can order this formula through their convenient and hassle-free subscription service. By signing up for a subscription you get 20% off all products plus free shipping. The brand also offers great deals if you purchase multiple bottles at once. ​

The brand has a convenient Subscribe & Save program which means you can order this formula through their convenient and hassle-free subscription service. By signing up for a subscription you get 20% off all products plus free shipping. The brand also offers great deals if you purchase multiple bottles at once.

2. Emotional Wellness

by Pure Encapsulations

GRADE

B+

PROS

N

Contains vitamin B6, rhodiola, and L-theanine

N

Made in the USA

N

Third-party tested

ConS

M

Does not contain ashwagandha

M

Capsule should be taken 1-3 times per day

BOTTOM LINE

Emotional Wellness by Pure Encapsulations is formulated with vitamin B6, Rhodiola rosea, and L-theanine. Although the product contains key ingredients such as adaptogens and amino acids, it does not contain ashwagandha. Although the company is committed to quality and ingredient purity, the serving size may be inconvenient for some. According to the suggested use, customers should take 1-3 capsules per day.

3. Stress Manager

by Herb Farm

GRADE

B

PROS

N

Contains Rhodiola rosea

N

Made with organic herbs

N

Third-party tested

ConS

M

No 90-day money-back guarantee

M

Must be used 3-4 times per day

BOTTOM LINE

Stress Manager by Herb Farm is a liquid herbal extract that includes herbs such as holy basil, rhodiola root, Schisandra berry, reishi mushroom, and eleuthero root. Although this formula contains a unique blend of herbs, the herbal flavor of the drops might not be for everyone. It’s also good to note that the drops should be taken 3-4 times a day. Must be used 3-4 times per day

4. Stress Protect

by MegaFood

GRADE

C+

PROS

N

Formulated with ashwagandha and other herbs

N

Third-party tested

N

Made in the USA

ConS

M

2-pill serving size

M

No B vitamins

BOTTOM LINE

Stress Protect by MegaFood combines ashwagandha with other adaptogenic herbs such as rhodiola root, Schisandra berries, astragalus root, and holy basil leaf. Although it contains a wide range of ingredients, it does not include B vitamins in the formula and only includes herbs. You may also want to note that this product has a 2-capsule serving size.

5. Ashwagandha

by Organic India

GRADE

C

PROS

N

Formulated with ashwagandha

N

Organic

N

Ethically farmed

ConS

M

4-capsule serving size

M

14-day returns policy

BOTTOM LINE

Ashwagandha by Organic India is formulated with 100% ashwagandha. One serving provides 800 mg of ashwagandha root. This product contains high-quality and organic ashwagandha but is more limited in its range of ingredients than some of the other products on this list. It also has the highest serving size on this list, at 2 capsules 2 times per day. You may also want to note that if you wish to return the product you must do so within 14 days.

RegenMax

by Summit Labs[1]

  • Delicious Gummies
  • Clinically-backed formula
  • Certified safety and purity testing
  • 90-day money-back guarantee
  • Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients

Learn More

Based on 3739 Reviews of Primal Harvest

CITATIONS

DISCLAIMER: This scientific research is for informational use only. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Primal Harvest provides this information as a service. This information should not be read to recommend or endorse any specific products.