When sharing a study on the benefits of Silexan, a proprietary formulation of oral lavender essential oil (used as a supplement), I received this feedback from Kat. She uses both Silexan and GABA with success, depending on the situation:
I used Silexan (CalmAid) here in the USA, for 7 weeks and had wonderful results!!
I was having daily constant panic attacks… agoraphobia and insomnia. They put me on several SSRIs to which I had severe reactions to. The Silexan saved me! I was able to get my life back. I used it nightly and it helped tremendously with sleep and anxiety. I heard about it through The Carlat Report Psych podcast and website after a desperate search to find something to help.
It’s a product that I highly recommend to everyone I know who suffers with anxiety. I now use it only as needed. There are no side effects except a perfume burp but that’s tolerable for me! It can be stopped without any withdrawal effects.
And this is how she responded when I asked if she had previously done a trial of GABA or tryptophan and how Silexan compared to the amino acids.
I use the GABA during times where the panic is increasing (GABA Calm 1/2 tablet, sublingually).
I use the Silexan when I have something stressful planned like travel, social events etc. Silexan works so well without any side effects and can be stopped without any withdrawal effects.
The GABA is an immediate effect vs the Silexan which is slower acting but lasts throughout the day.
What wonderful results for Kat. I thanked her for sharing and voiced my concern with CalmAid and some of the other products that contain Silexan: they contain canola oil. I just wish they stopped making this with canola oil! I share more about this below and another product option that doesn’t use canola oil.
GABA or Silexan? Kat’s sweet spot, serotonin and pyroluria
If you’re wondering where you should start – GABA or Silexan? If you’ve been following my work or even starting to use GABA, you’ll know I always start clients with GABA when they have low GABA symptoms of physical anxiety and tension.
I agree with Kat – it’s very typical for GABA to provide immediate results. I did also share with her that in order to get longer lasting effects GABA does need to be used 3-4 x day, between meals. This means that, for her, GABA may offer similar results to Silexan by slowly building up her GABA levels.
However, Kat has found the sweet spot she needs by using this combination so I would stick with this approach.
If she did decide to stop using Silexan in the future, tryptophan may be needed too – for low serotonin worry-type anxiety symptoms. She did mention that she doesn’t currently use tryptophan and Silexan also affects serotonin levels.
I do love that Kat plans for stressful events and uses Silexan in these situations. She does mention needing it for social events so I’d suggest looking into pyroluria too. More here on this social anxiety condition and how zinc, vitamin B6 and other key nutrients can help.
Kat’s dietary changes, no caffeine, no sugar and cravings?
I also asked if she has also made dietary changes and quit caffeine, alcohol and sugar. Kat shared that she doesn’t drink any caffeine and hasn’t since 2015. Good for her – caffeine is a major anxiety trigger. She does recognize that her anxiety gets worse when she’s eating a lot of processed foods/gluten/dairy/soy and she limits these.
I said it’s best to avoid these trigger foods altogether. This is often easier said than done! The amino acids help so much to break the addiction and eliminate the need to use willpower: GABA for stress-eating, tryptophan or 5-HTP if her cravings happen mostly in the afternoon and evening, and DPA if comfort foods are her reward. More on the amino acids and cravings here.
I thanked Kat for sharing her wonderful results and asked for permission to share as a blog. I always appreciate being able to do this so I can continue to educate and inspire. This also shows how there is no-one size fits all.
Silexan research on anxiety and insomnia
This is the study I shared on Facebook – Prescription of Silexan Is Associated with Less Frequent General Practitioner Repeat Consultations Due to Disturbed Sleep Compared to Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists: A Retrospective Database Analysis
The prescription of Silexan to adult patients consulting general practitioners (GPs) for disturbed sleep results in less frequent repeat consultations than Z-drugs (including zolpidem, zopiclone, and zaleplon).
This may support Silexan’s role as an efficacious, self-enabling, well-tolerated, and sustained treatment option.
Because Silexan is a proven anxiolytic, its impact in improving undiagnosed anxiety disorders may have had a lasting effect for certain patients.
As explained in this same paper, “Silexan is an active substance with an essential oil produced from Lavandula angustifolia flowers.” It’s a proprietary lavender oil that complies with and exceeds the European Pharmacopoeia quality definition for the monograph lavender oil. “Several studies have shown positive effects of Silexan on symptoms of subsyndromal/mild anxiety or GAD [generalized anxiety disorder] compared to conventional treatment or placebo groups.”
Silexan and other oral lavender products
The proprietary product of Silexan, with 80mg of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil, is found in a number of products:
- Nature’s Way CalmAid ® (this is the product Kat used/uses)
- Integrative Therapeutics Lavela ™
- Seremind ® (in Australia)
This supplement, NFH Lavender SAP, does not use the proprietary Silexan but does contain 80mg of organic lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil. This product is my preference since it contains olive oil and not canola oil like the others mentioned above.
All of the above are available in my online supplement store (for US purchases only). Nature’s Way CalmAid ® is also available on iherb.
Dosing recommendations for adults is 1 softgel once or twice daily with a full glass of water. There is a caution not to use while pregnant, nursing, or for children under 12 years of age.
GABA for anxiety, insomnia, sugar cravings, sensorimotor skills and immunity
I share case studies and research about GABA all the time so I’ll just share links to some of the past GABA blogs in case you’re new to GABA (a calming amino acid and neurotransmitter):
- GABA for ending sugar cravings (and anxiety and insomnia)
- GABA is a life saver for anxiety, theanine helps at night (insomnia) and 5-HTP makes a significant difference in lessening daily pain
- GABA and theanine for easing anxiety, improving sleep and supporting immunity
- Half a crushed GABA Calm for my autistic child: sleep, anxiety and sensorimotor skills (writing, horse riding and swimming) improve
Resources if you are new to using GABA and other amino acids as supplements
If you are new to using GABA or any of the other amino acids as supplements, here is the Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution (you can see all the symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalances, including low GABA and low serotonin).
If you suspect low levels of any of the neurotransmitters and do not yet have my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution – How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings, I highly recommend getting it and reading it before jumping in and using amino acids on your own so you are knowledgeable. And be sure to share it with the practitioner/health team you or your loved one is working with.
There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and they are discussed throughout the book in the sections on gut health, gluten, blood sugar control, sugar cravings, self-medicating with alcohol and more.
The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs. You can find them all in my online store. The above oral lavender products are available in my online store too.
If, after reading this blog and my book, you don’t feel comfortable figuring things out on your own (i.e. doing the symptoms questionnaire and respective amino acids trials), a good place to get help is the GABA QuickStart Program (if you have low GABA symptoms). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support.
If you are a practitioner, join us in The Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals program. This is also a paid online/virtual program with an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids.
Have you found that an oral lavender product such as Silexan (used as a supplement) helps with your anxiety, panic attacks and/or sleep?
Have you used the NFH Lavender SAP product with similar success to other Silexan products?
Do you also use the amino acid GABA (sublingually) and in what situations do you use GABA vs oral lavender?
How much of each do you use?
If you have other questions and feedback please share them here too.
Hello Trudy,
I have been dealing with anxiety, panic attacks for almost 15 years . I am on fluoxetine and klonopin. Can u suggest natural remedies alternative to these meds?
Bin
I’m sorry to hear. I have clients use GABA and oral lavender when on these medications, with approval from the prescribing doctor. This allows them to taper very very slowly, one medication at a time, and under the doctor’s supervision. Dietary factors such as no caffeine, no sugar, no alcohol, no gluten, real whole food etc, quality animal protein, gut health. hormonal health etc are also part of the comprehensive plan to find and address all possible root causes. This is something I asked Kat – it’s never just about the supplements.
When you are new to using amino acids my book The Antianxiety Food Solution is a good resource for the amino acids, other nutrients and all the dietary factors too – https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ You don’t mention what dietary changes have been made.
I always have clients get nutritionally stable before considering tapering – it makes things so much easier.
Hi Trudy. Is there anything like Selexin for kids? My 9 year old wakes up with anxiety every day that makes him nauseated and he has trouble eating. All labs came back normal for him. He’s been dealing with emetophobia for about a year and we have him in counseling for that. We’ve tried GABA Calm but that didn’t help and he couldn’t stomach the taste of the Lidtke Tryptophan chewable so I’m trying to find something palatable for him. I certainly appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thanks!
I used to struggle with a mouthful of dry tryptophan powder in my mouth after emptying a capsule and then last time I took it, I just emptied the capsule into a large glass of cold water and was pleasantly surprised to find it didn’t change the taste of the water. It was easy to take and it worked really well (I felt the effects very quickly). Maybe that would work for your son. Good luck!
Liz
Thanks for sharing what you have found works for you. May I ask which brand you’re using and if you hold the water/tryptophan in your mouth before swallowing?
I often have a client put the powder in their mouth, take a sip of water carefully and swish and hold for a minute and then swallow. I like this approach personally. But it doesn’t work for children.
Jonathan
I’m sorry to hear about your son. In situations like this, if there are symptoms of low GABA (mostly physical anxiety) we explore higher doses of GABA, other GABA products and theanine too. I’ve had some kids only land on the ideal GABA product on the 3rd or 4th one!
With low serotonin symptoms (worry anxiety) I like Liz’s suggestion but often that won’t work as the powder tastes pretty bad and is worse than the chewable. Mixing some of a tryptophan capsule in mashed banana or mixing it into inositol helps.
We also look into high cortisol (saliva testing) with morning anxiety. I’ve had good results with emetophobia by addressing pyroluria and sometimes low B1. And we explore all possible root causes of anxiety – gut health, toxins, Lyme, mold etc
When you are new to using amino acids my book The Antianxiety Food Solution is a good resource for the amino acids, other nutrients, pyroluria, gut health and all the dietary factors too – https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ You don’t mention what dietary changes have been made.
If you do find you need guidance and support – GABA Quickstart program https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/ Many parents are in the program helping a child and you do get specific feedback because I gather a mini health history.
Thank you for your reply, Trudy. He has always been a picky eater and more so now since the emetophobia in the past 8 months or so. He dropped 6 lbs when that started and just last week got back up to the weight he was before it started. The doctor told us to let him eat whatever he wants to get his weight back up. Definitely not healthy eating! He’s never had antibiotics in his life and is rarely sick so his gut is not compromised by that that we can tell. He has normal bm’s. He’s never even caught COVID when the rest of us in the family did, so he’s one of those super immune people! lol
I’ll give the capsule of tryptophan a try in inositol since it’s sugary-tasting. I take that myself for Hashimoto’s to keep the TPO antibodies down. He doesn’t care for bananas too much. Regarding GABA, what are some of the other products you recommend aside from GABA Calm that we could try with him?
I’ll get a copy of your book to start looking at pyroluria. He and his sister take the same Lil’ Critters kids multi-vitamin gummy 2x day. However, Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is not listed in the ingredients so we’ll explore that. It does contain B6, B12, and zinc (gluconate).
Thanks again for your advice here. I feel like we’re a little closer to figuring this out!
Jonathan
Keep us posted how tryptophan and inositol works. Now GABA powder is pleasant tasting and could be mixed into tryptophan too.
And I have clients start to make dietary changes as soon as there are improvements as diet plays a huge role in neurotransmitter production and fears/anxiety. The amino acids make it easier to make the dietary changes too. You’ll read all about this in my book.
There are also dietary factors that affect thiamine levels – Dr. Chandler Marrs is one of the experts on this topic https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/10/2595 This information is not in my book but I did interview her on one of the anxiety summits – more here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/fatigue-sleep-disorders-depression-anxiety-fibromyalgia-and-cardiac-troubles-as-the-expression-of-a-classic-mild-thiamine-deficiency/
Hi Trudy,
As always you bring wonderful content to our attention. I have been using Gaba Calm and L-tryptophan on an as needed basis, but prefered the effect when I took either regularily (I just felt better all the time vs putting out fires), but both give me headaches when I take them regularly. I had forgotten about CalmAid, which I took many years ago, with good results and this blog post got me thinking I should try it again. I am interested by your recommendation for NFH Lavender SAP as I had never heard of it as an alternative to CalmAid and I would much prefer olive oil too (I hadn’t even realized CalmAid had canola oil in it, so thanks for bringing that up too!) I have 2 questions about your recommended alternative:
Have you seen good results with NFH Lavender and do you think it is just as effective as the proprietary Silexan? Is Silexan just straight lavender EO or do they do something with it?
Thank you
Liz
Thanks for sharing and yes regular, consistent use of GABA and the other amino acids is much better than waiting until you’re feeling bad.anxious and then trying to put out the fire. Glad you’ve seen this work for you!
With headaches, a lower dose of each may work as well – dosing is very variable with pixie dust folks doing well with tiny tiny doses. This blog may be helpful https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/how-much-gaba-should-i-use-for-my-anxiety-it-depends-on-your-unique-needs-and-there-is-an-extremely-large-variation-in-dosing/
Glad to hear you had good results with CalmAid. How much did you use and how often? How do you compare it to GABA and tryptophan?
Yes I have seen good results with NFH Lavender SAP and based on my research it’s the same as Silexan. It’s also used a great deal by naturopathic doctors with their patients.
“Silexan is a patented active substance produced from Lavandula angustifolia flowers by steam distillation consisting of the main active constituents. linalool (36.8%) and linalyl acetate (34.2%). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3639265/ I assume it’s the same company making the products with Silexan since they all contain exactly the same ingredients (with canola oil being one of them).
Thanks for the suggestion, Liz! We can try that. What is the dose of the capsule you opened?
Jonathan
Tryptophan is typically a 500mg capsule
Does not GABA react with SSRI when taken while on SSRI?
Radha
GABA is not an issue with SSRIs but I have all my clients work with the prescribing doctor before adding GABA.
Hi Trudy, Thank you for your email. I have used doterra’s Adaptiv Calming Blend Capsules with GABA and Lavender, as well as other ingredients
https://media.doterra.com/us/en/pips/doterra-adaptiv-essential-oil-blend-capsules.pdf
I heard your talk at the Trauma Super Conference last weekend, and believe I would benefit from the GABA protocol (sublinqually). What type of GABA product do you recommend? Where can I get saliva testing for cortisol evaluation?
All the best,
Claire Kanner
Claire
I like the look of Adaptiv other than the fact the GABA is swallowed (essential oils Lavender, Coriander, Wild Orange, and Fennel along with Sceletium, GABA, and Ahiflower).
You can find the amino acid products I use here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-pyroluria-supplements/. At the bottom you’ll see how to set up an account with my online supplement store.
Using GABA sublingually is more effective – as you heard me share on the Trauma Summit. And using a GABA product separately allows you to titrate up based on individual needs.
When you are new to using amino acids my book The Antianxiety Food Solution is a good resource for the amino acids, other nutrients, pyroluria, gut health and all the dietary factors too – https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ You don’t mention what dietary changes have been made.
If you do find you need guidance and support – GABA Quickstart program https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/ You do get specific feedback because I gather a mini health history.
Your functional medicine practitioner will offer saliva testing for cortisol evaluation.
Yes, the Adaptiv capsule is swallowed — when I heard your talk at the Trauma conference, I considered whether to try to pierce the capsule to apply sub-lingually, but then decided to ask you directly for your suggestions for a GABA sub-lingual product. Thank you for adding this blog in a timely manner!
Claire
Thanks for clarifying. This approach may address the sublingual aspect but not the titrating up and down with GABA dosing.
Trudy, I just looked at your GABA products on your website — I don’t see the 125 mg does you said to start with btw. What do you suggest? Thanks again.
Claire Kanner
CLaire
It’s the Source Naturals GABA Calm product
Hi Trudy, the Source Naturals GABA Calm lozenge product contains other ingredients, besides GABA. Would you suggest I start with a GABA-only product first?
And, should I wait for the results of the Cortisol saliva test, or just get started? Will the practitioner know how to assess results on such a test btw? I’m not familiar with this particular test and wonder if your test results are constant to your cortisol condition or vary based on your experience at the time of the test? Thank you for your continued explanation. All the best
Claire
I have clients start on GABA if they have low GABA symptoms and we address cortisol issues once results come back. The practitioner who orders the test will know how to assess it.
I use GABA Calm as a good one to start with for most folks
I have been using the Lavela for several months with little satisfactory results. My doctor then prescribed that I take two capsules, but not much better. I’m curious if this CalmAid would make a difference, since the only difference is the olive oil vs. canola oil. I also take Trytophan, 1 mid afternoon and two before bedtime, as determined by the questionnaire from you Anti-Anxiety Food Solution Book. Still stuggling with chronic anxiety, depression, early morning awakenings, and not much relief. Gaba made me more anxious.
Annette
CalmAid and Lavela are exactly the same product – both contain Silexan and canola oil. Based on research and clinical results a person should see improvements in a few weeks. It’s possible more would be needed. Best to discuss with your doctor.
Also with tryptophan (and all amino acids) we increase to find the idea dose and many folks need more than 3 x 500mg per day. Some folks do better on 5-HTP so we may switch to that or add 5-HTP earlier in the day too. We also look at and address all causes of low serotonin.
Too much GABA can make someone anxious or and also if they don’t have low GABA to start with.
With early morning waking and anxiety we look at cortisol levels (saliva testing) and address this.
You don’t mention dietary changes and we always do this too. be sure to implement those recommendations from my book.
I wanted to mention that New Roots D-stress Organic Lavender Oil is another option that uses olive oil rather than canola oil as the carrier oil. As with nfh lavender sap, it is organic lavender oil not Silexan.
Lisa
Thanks for sharing – good to know
Hi Trudy,
I’d like to ask you about L-Tryptophan use. I was using it in the fall up until March and it was helping me with depression. Around March I developed an internal trembling. I am dealing with chronic severe insomnia and I first thought it was a new hyperarousal symptom. I quit taking L-Tryptophan as it was the only supplement I was taking besides Gaba and the trembling stopped. I’m not on any SSRIs. I can’t imagine that 500 mg of Tryptophan would cause serotonin syndrome when I have all the signs of low serotonin. Wondering what you make of it? I’d like to continue taking it since it was helping.
I was on SSRIs for 16 years and stopped over 2 years ago but have been having an awful time of it with anxiety and depression since then. Thank you for your time.
Pat
I have not seen this adverse effect of tryptophan with anyone and tryptophan itself has not been reported to cause serotonin syndrome. With an adverse effect to a product I have clients check the product quality (which product are you using?) and consider a lower dose. I also have them do off-on-off-on-off to confirm it is the suspected product.
Sorry to hear about the awful time post SSRIs – unfortunately weird symptoms that do include internal trembling can linger post taper.
Thanks for your reply. I was mostly taking the Now brand but then was able to get some Lidtke shipped to Canada, which wasn’t easy. Both resulted in the trembling. I did take one again and the trembling came back but much milder. I will try again as you suggest with the off-on etc. approach.
I’m quite desperate for some relief from my depression, it can get quite severe with the severe insomnia that I have. I have been trying hard for the last two years not to return to SSRIs. My quality of life is suffering quite a bit at this point. Thanks again.