Chronic magnesium deficiency is known to cause a broad range of nervous symptoms, including anxiety, panic attacks, nervousness, insomnia, rapid pulse, palpitations, and abnormal heart rhythms. Studies indicate that the hormone adrenaline depletes magnesium in the body. Bodily functions affected by adrenaline include heart rate, blood pressure, blood vessel constriction and muscle contraction. All of these processes deplete magnesium, particularly when the body experiences prolonged stress. If the body lacks adequate magnesium to relax muscles and arteries, then heart muscle becomes susceptible to spasm, and blood pressure may increase.

L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea leaves. Studies have found L-theanine supplements may be more effective than some commonly prescribed relaxing agents. It promotes a relaxed state by blocking receptors in the brain involved with nerve excitation.

Research shows that rhodiola helps balance cortisol levels, the body’s stress hormone. Rhodiola can be helpful for calming your body when your nervous system goes into fight-or-flight mode caused by dealing with everyday stressors. High cortisol levels over an extended period of time may contribute to accelerated signs of aging, higher levels of psychosocial stress, poorer cognitive performance, atrophy of memory-related structures of the brain, weight gain and exhaustion.

Studies of lemon balm have produced impressive results with regard to stress reduction.

A recent study of lemon balm has demonstrated that lemon balm extracts had the ability to bind to receptors that trigger relaxation and reduce anxiety in the brain. It also suggested that lemon balm extract helped volunteers to cope with psychological and emotional stress without any loss of cognitive function.