Anti-Stress

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Anti-stress supplements are products people use alongside sleep, exercise and downtime to support a calmer, more balanced day. The most common are magnesium, ashwagandha, and blends with L-theanine, GABA or mushroom extracts such as reishi. Brands in this collection include Now Foods, Primabolics, Horbaach, Life Cykel and Renew Actives.

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Anti-Stress: buying guide

Start with the basics

Healthdirect notes that daily exercise has many benefits for wellbeing, including reducing stress, and that setting aside time to relax each day helps stop tension building up. A supplement can sit alongside those habits but will not replace them. If you still feel overwhelmed, healthdirect recommends talking to a doctor or mental health professional, because ongoing stress can be a sign of depression, anxiety or another mental health condition. In an emergency, call triple zero (000).

Common ingredients and what the evidence says

  • Ashwagandha. A shrub used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says research shows some ashwagandha preparations may be effective for stress, although many studies are small and use different extracts.
  • Magnesium. An essential mineral, and magnesium glycinate products are among the most popular in this collection. The US Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) does not list stress relief among magnesium's established benefits, so think of it as topping up a nutrient rather than a proven calming aid.
  • Other blends. You will also find formulas with L-theanine, GABA, reishi and greens. Check each label for the dose of every ingredient rather than relying on the front of the pack.

How to compare products

Look at the dose per serve and the form, for example how many milligrams of ashwagandha extract or elemental magnesium you get. Check for caffeine or other stimulants, which work against a calming routine. Multi-ingredient blends make it harder to know which ingredient you are reacting to, so a single-ingredient product is easier to assess.

Safety and who should check first

NCCIH says ashwagandha may be safe for up to 3 months, but long-term safety is unknown and rare cases of liver injury have been reported. It should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, is not recommended for people with thyroid or autoimmune conditions, and may interact with medicines for diabetes, blood pressure, thyroid, seizures and sedation. For magnesium, the ODS sets an upper limit of 350 mg a day from supplements for adults, as more can cause diarrhoea, nausea and cramping.

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Related categories

Browse ashwagandha, magnesium, sleep support and mood support.

Sources: NCCIH: Ashwagandha; NIH ODS: Magnesium; healthdirect: Stress.

Order online with Australia-wide delivery, free on orders of $100 or more, or visit a Supps247 store in Melbourne, regional Victoria or Brisbane to compare products in person before you buy. Members can use our price match guarantee on full-priced items.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or take regular medication, check with your doctor first.

Anti-Stress: questions and answers

Is it safe to take ashwagandha every day?
For most healthy adults, short-term daily use appears to be reasonably safe. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says ashwagandha may be safe for up to 3 months, but long-term safety is unknown and rare liver injury has been reported. Avoid it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have a thyroid or autoimmune condition, and check with your doctor if you take regular medication.
Does ashwagandha actually help with stress?
There is some supporting research. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says some ashwagandha preparations may be effective for stress, but many studies are small and use different extracts and doses, so results are not settled. If you try it, choose a product that states the extract and dose clearly, follow the label, and keep up the basics such as exercise, sleep and time to relax.
How much magnesium can I take a day?
The US Office of Dietary Supplements recommends total intakes of about 400 to 420 mg a day for adult men and 310 to 320 mg for adult women, from food and supplements combined. The upper limit for magnesium from supplements alone is 350 mg a day for adults, because higher amounts can cause diarrhoea, nausea and stomach cramps. Food sources do not count towards that limit.
When should I see a doctor about stress?
Healthdirect suggests seeing a doctor or mental health professional if you have tried relaxation techniques and talked to someone you trust but still feel overwhelmed. Ongoing stress can be a sign of depression, anxiety or another mental health condition, and those need proper care rather than supplements. If you or someone close to you is at risk of immediate harm, call triple zero (000).

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