Want to stress less? You are not alone in looking for support from the best supplements to manage stress.

Because of our modern, fast-paced lives, many of us (several million, actually) report living in a constant state of stress. From juggling family and work, to navigating the anxiety of a recent pandemic and an uncertain economy, stress levels are higher than ever. A report by the American Psychological Association found, unsurprisingly, that nearly 7 in 10 of those surveyed experienced an increase in stress levels during the pandemic.1

Long-term effects of too much stress

A little occasional stress is perfectly natural. In the short-term, stress can be beneficial; think of parents and their seemingly supernatural ability to react quickly to protect their progeny from mishaps. Our innate stress response – the “fight-or-flight” response – makes us more alert, focused, and able to respond quickly in uncertain scenarios.

It’s when stress sticks around that it becomes a problem. Chronic, long-term stress and anxiety can lead to a host of health problems. It can lead to unhealthy behaviors, such as overeating (especially junk food), skipping meals, self-medicating with alcohol, wakefulness at night, smoking, irritability, and many others. Or it can physically manifest as symptoms such as migraines, reduced immune function, GI upset, and even blood pressure and heart health problems.

Implementing proper stress relief practices, like yoga, meditation, or talking through your stress with a trusted confidant, can go a long way to help your body to mellow out. But sometimes, a little extra help is needed to reduce stress. That is where stress relief supplements can come in. Various beneficial natural supplements and nutrients have a knack for helping your body manage its stress response.

Here are the best supplements to manage stress, from Thorne’s experts, to help you find your happy place.

1. A capsule to help you think and perform your best when feeling stressed

Feeling the effects of fatigue from excessive stress and can’t focus? Thorne’s Ginseng Plus is one of the best supplements to manage stress. It combines the botanical power of Korean red ginseng with lion’s mane mushroom and non-stimulating Greek mountain tea to provide an immediate sense of elevated focus. Used for thousands of years to promote well-being and vitality, ginseng addresses the symptoms of modern stressors with adaptogenic and nootropic benefits. When taken daily, the trio of natural supplements in Thorne’s Ginseng Plus helps the body build resilience to stress and resist stress-related fatigue while maintaining mental clarity.* 

2. The ideal formula for those who are burned out from being stuck in front of an office computer every day

Say hello to the supplement solution for the modern world. Memoractiv combines a cast of intelligent ingredients that are well-studied for providing cognitive benefits, including support for concentration, motivation, mental focus, and reaction time. On top of that, the unique, naturally-derived marigold extract helps protect the eyes and reduce stress from the negative effects of blue light for those staring at a screen all day.*

3. A comprehensive powder to help the body adapt to stress

Greens powders are everywhere these days, and it’s easy to see why. Greens are nutrient-dense and low in calories. But in a high-pressure, fast-paced world, it’s not always easy to get enough greens when you need support the most. 

Thorne’s Daily Greens Plus provides 28 powerhouse ingredients to promote cognitive performance and maintain a healthy stress response. Adaptogens like ashwagandha and eleuthero help balance the hormones that support stress resistance, while antioxidants like CoQ10 and zinc mitigate the effects of oxidative stress and enhance cellular energy.*

Not all greens powders are equal in terms of ingredient quality and content. Daily Greens Plus is a unique greens powder formula without proprietary blends, so you know exactly what and how much you are putting in your body.

4. A prime choice for individuals who want a little more focus along with good vibes 

Looking for something to help hit the “brakes” on your body’s stress response? PharmaGABA® can help. Harnessing the power of a natural source of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA (as PharmaGABA) can decrease the brain's stress-related beta-waves while increasing the production of relaxing alpha-waves, creating a profound sense of physical relaxation while maintaining mental focus.* The natural GABA in Thorne's PharmaGABA suite is produced via a fermentation process that utilizes Lactobacillus hilgardii, the same bacteria that is used to ferment cabbage in the preparation of the traditional Korean dish known as kimchi.

5. A supplement to help combat stress eating

In times of high stress, many turn to food as a source of comfort. But raiding the pantry can wreak havoc on your diet and fitness goals. If you’re a stress eater, then Craving and Stress Support might be right for you. The formula contains a blend of plant extracts from Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense (two well-known botanicals used in the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine for 1,500 years), along with six B vitamins. These ingredients work synergistically to help balance cortisol levels and minimize stress-related eating.*

6. Formulas for adrenal support 

Stress can take a toll on your adrenal glands – a critical component of your endocrine system – the system that distributes hormones throughout your body. Supplementing with adaptogenic botanicals and several key B vitamins can play a helpful role in maintaining healthy adrenal function.* And because we know everyone’s lifestyle is different, we offer different ways to keep your adrenals happy.

  • Stress Balance: A nutrient and botanical choice that supports adrenals without bovine adrenal gland tissue*
  • Adrenal Cortex: Nourish your adrenals with adrenal glandular tissue, without the extra nutrients*

7. A basic formula if you’re tempted to turn to unhealthy habits 

If you find yourself turning to a glass of wine after work or downing a whole bag of potato chips to de-stress, Thorne’s Stress B-Complex could help. It is a well-rounded stress support solution, offering essential amounts of B vitamins in their active, bioavailable forms. In addition, it contains an extra amount of vitamin B5 – a key nutrient for supporting healthy adrenal and immune function.*

8. A starter pack for stress support

Want a comprehensive solution to tackle stress? Thorne’s Stress Management Bundle combines three of the best supplements to manage stress into one bundle to help you unwind from all angles. It contains Stress B-Complex, PharmaGABA-250, and Stress Balance that provide supplement synergy to manage stress – while helping you save some money, too.

Still need answers for your stress? Try a quiz!

Does trying to choose one of those solutions cause you more stress? Don’t sweat it. Get easy answers with our Stress Support Quiz, designed by Thorne’s medical experts. Simply answer a few questions about your lifestyle and sources of stress and - in minutes - get a stress support solution recommended just for you.

Want to know what your adrenal gland hormones are up to? Try Thorne’s Stress Test, an easy, at-home health test that measures DHEA and fluctuations in cortisol, key hormones related to the body’s natural stress response and adrenal health. All results include a personalized improvement plan.

Reference

  1. American Psychological Association (2020). Stress in America 2020: A National Mental Health Crisis. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2020/sia-mental-health-crisis.pdf [Accessed Nov. 4, 2024]