Natural Solutions for Anxiety and Depression: What Science and the Soul Both Say

In a world where we are bombarded with overwhelming stimuli and disturbing realities, and life can feel like a chaotic rush, it is natural to experience some level of anxiety. Sometimes, the best solution is simply taking a mild, non-addictive calming supplement for a limited period.

In cases where anxiety seriously interferes with daily functioning, relationships, or the ability to engage in emotional healing, a temporary, non-addictive anti-anxiety medication may be appropriate. It can reduce emotional overload and allow real therapeutic work to begin.

Still, many people are afraid of psychiatric medications, and in some cases, their hesitation is valid. When I meet someone who is unwilling to explore that route, I often suggest natural alternatives. There are options that have been scientifically studied and proven to work.

While it’s admittedly not as simple as taking a tiny pill once a day, nutritional supplementation, when approached with the right knowledge, can have powerful, lasting results. Each supplement I recommend has been clinically tested, often shown to be as effective (and sometimes more so) than conventional medications.

I have a background in natural medicine and worked in that field extensively before transitioning into emotional therapy. In response to growing demand, I’ve decided to share a protocol I developed after months of research.

I reviewed countless clinical studies from trusted practitioner databases, both in Israel and abroad. I focused only on peer-reviewed trials that proved the supplement worked- at least as effectively as conventional medication.

I filtered the results by the following criteria:

1. Only supplements that are safe for anyone to use- though I always recommend checking with your primary care physician before starting anything new.

2. Only supplements with published clinical studies detailing the exact dosage and usage guidelines that proved effective.

3. Only brands and formulas that were lab-tested for purity and accuracy. Many supplements on the market contain either more or less of what the label claims, both of which can be problematic. I only included ones tested to contain exactly what they say they do.

4. Only supplements proven to be as effective as medications for anxiety and depression, and in some cases, even more so.

This level of detail is important because many natural treatments fail, not because they’re ineffective, but because the market is unregulated, flooded with low-quality products, and dominated by companies that mislead consumers. The right product, in the right dosage, with the right evidence, does work.

Each supplement below has been shown in clinical trials to outperform placebo. When taken together, their effects are compounded.

(Photo: shutterstock)

What Really Causes Anxiety?

At its root, anxiety is often a result of disconnection from one’s own inner world- a lack of emotional self-awareness.

When a person is deeply connected to their inner feelings and thoughts- not only their logical mind- and knows how to process those emotions with compassion and curiosity rather than fear or shame, anxiety loses its grip.

Many of us weren’t taught this. In school, we didn’t learn how to understand our emotions, how to sit with them, respect them, or process pain. As a result, we avoid, suppress, or distract ourselves with food, entertainment, sex, addictions, and the list goes on.

These distractions create a split between what is real and what we’re telling ourselves. That inner contradiction causes unrest and anxiety, and builds tension and confusion because the truth always tries to surface.

We start doing things compulsively such as eating without control, binging shows, buying things we don’t need, losing ourselves in relationships or scrolling endlessly- anything to avoid feeling.

The Only Way Forward

There’s no substitute for doing the inner work. No pill- natural or chemical- can replace the need to connect to your inner world.

You were given a soul for a reason. You are here to nurture it, listen to it, to honor its pain, and help it heal. The only way to real freedom is to stop numbing and start listening.

Anyone who has lived with anxiety or depression knows that you either do the work, or you suffer deeply. There’s no other path.  Anxiety is not your enemy- it is your compass and your soul’s cry for truth. When your inner world can no longer tolerate falsehood, it demands change. That’s what pain is for.

You may have heard: “You’re just too sensitive.” This is not a flaw, but a gift. Some people in this generation carry incredibly elevated souls, and those souls simply won’t settle for anything less than truth.

A temporary supplement (even a chemical one) might help lower the volume of the anxiety and give you breathing room. However, if it becomes a long-term crutch that replaces inner work, it ends up fighting life itself. Your pain is not a punishment, but an invitation.

Clinically-Proven Natural Supplements for Anxiety and Depression:

• Ashwagandha — preferably in the morning.

• Vitamin B Complex + B12 — best taken with meals.

• High-dose Omega 3 — also with food.

• Magnesium Citrate (not other types) — best before bed.

• Vitamin D — get tested and supplement to bring levels above 75 nmol/L.

Other researched supplements include GABA and Vitamin C, among others.

Anxiety often depletes the body’s natural reserves of these nutrients, which in turn worsens anxiety, creating a vicious cycle. Replenishing them helps break that cycle. For exact protocols and personalized guidance, consult a naturopath or qualified health provider.

Don’t Be Afraid to Feel

Emotions aren’t dangerous. In fact, the best-supported therapeutic approach in treating anxiety is known as “non-avoidance”- and it’s backed by dozens of clinical studies. It’s okay to feel your feelings.
Your soul is trying to tell you something. It may be confused. It may even lead you to make mistakes, but it's not broken. Even if your emotions feel irrational or strange, pay attention because there’s always a truth underneath them.

Above all, seek help if you need it. Untreated anxiety creates a spiral of damage so that you become afraid of the anxiety itself and begin obsessing over how to stop it. You may cling to rituals, strain your relationships, feel distant from your kids, lose motivation, and fall into self-doubt.

By the time someone seeks help, there’s often so much damage around the anxiety that other things need more healing than the anxiety itself. Know that anxiety passes, and it’s part of being human.

Rav Yochanan & Yochi Danchi are Multidisciplinary Emotional Support and Conscious Parenting Coaches