Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is the most common anxiety disorder with a ratio of women to men at about 2:1. The general causes are not well understood and the primary symptoms are anxiety, motor tension, autonomic hyperactivity, and cognitive vigilance. GAD is affected by neurotransmitter systems, including gamma-aminobutyric (GABA), noradrenergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic systems.
GABA is an important inhibitory transmitter in the nervous system. Certain drugs may modify its effects by interacting with the GABA receptor, including barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are the drugs most frequently prescribed for anxiety disorders, but have many drawbacks. Benzodiazepines are associated with adverse effects such as daytime sedation, attention problems, ataxia, memory impairment, slowed psychomotor performance, and addiction/abuse. The cessation of benzodiazepines can induce increased anxiety, apprehension, and irritability. Examples include Ativan, Xanax, and Valium. Since GAD is generally a lifetime disorder, the chronic use of benzodiazepines can be detrimental.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is an climbing vine with sedative/anxiolytic properties, and the British Herbal Compendium indicates its use for sleep disorders, restlessness, nervous stress, and anxiety. Passionflower is found to have one of highest GABA content amongst plants, and has been found to induce direct GABA currents within the brain, supporting calming and relaxing properties.
A study was done on subjects meeting the DSM IV criteria for GAD. The group was divided into two groups, one receiving passionflower (45 drops/day), and the other was given the benzodiazepine oxazepam (30mg/day) for 4 weeks. Both groups were equal at reducing anxiety, but the benzodiazepine group had more side-effects and impaired job performance. This study help support that passionflower may be a healthier alternative to benzodiazepines, especially with less side-effects.
The National Institutes of Health recommends one tablet containing 90mg everyday, or 45 drops of liquid extract per day. As always, consult your primary care provided before use. Examples of passionflower are listed below.
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