Best picks
Best supplements for stress and anxiety
Lower the baseline — without sedation.
Stress supplements don't remove the stressor. What they can do is lower your baseline cortisol so the same workload doesn't feel like a five-alarm fire.
Two ingredients have solid randomized data: ashwagandha and magnesium. Most of the rest is folklore.
The picks
Top 3 for stress and anxiety
- #1Ashwagandha (KSM-66)
Best evidence for cortisol reduction. KSM-66 or Sensoril extract, 300–600 mg daily for 4–8 weeks.
- Dose
- 600 mg
- When
- evening
- #2Magnesium Glycinate
Low magnesium correlates with anxiety. Glycinate is the gentle, non-laxative form that also helps sleep.
- Dose
- 300–400 mg
- When
- evening
- #3Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
Higher-dose EPA has modest but real effects on mood and anxiety in multiple trials.
- Dose
- 1–2 g
- When
- morning
Before you buy
- If anxiety is impairing daily life, talk to a clinician. Supplements are adjuncts, not treatment.
- Ashwagandha can lower thyroid medication effect — check with your doctor if you're on levothyroxine.
Common questions
How long until ashwagandha kicks in?
Most trials show measurable cortisol and perceived-stress drops by weeks 4–8.
Can I cycle ashwagandha?
Some people do 8 weeks on / 2 off to avoid adaptation. Not mandatory — evidence is mixed.
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