Many people struggling with anxiety have tried everything—better sleep, nutrition, and even supplements—but still feel stuck. That’s because the root causes of anxiety often go deeper than lifestyle. They’re biochemical, hormonal, and often overlooked.
Why?
Because stress and anxiety aren’t just mental or emotional problems—they’re often biochemical imbalances involving your nervous system, hormones, and brain chemistry.
Two key players in this process?
Cortisol (your stress hormone) and GABA (your brain’s calming neurotransmitter).
The Real Science Behind Stress and Anxiety
Cortisol gets a bad rap, but it’s not the villain. In small amounts, it keeps us focused and resilient. But when stress becomes chronic—whether due to emotional overload, gut dysfunction, or poor sleep—your cortisol levels stay high, and your calming mechanisms (like GABA) can’t keep up.
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is your primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. Think of it like your brain’s brakes. Without enough GABA, your mind races, sleep suffers, and anxiety can spike—especially at night.
Together, low GABA and high cortisol trap your body in fight-or-flight, making it harder to relax, focus, or feel grounded.
What’s Really Fueling Your Stress Response?
If you’re doing everything “right” but still feeling anxious, there’s a good chance one or more of these are in play:
Blood sugar imbalance – Skipping meals or eating high-carb breakfasts spikes cortisol.
Nutrient depletion – Stress depletes minerals like magnesium, zinc, and B6, all of which are essential to make GABA.
Gut infections & toxins – Bacteria, parasites, and candida can create ammonia, a neurotoxin that disrupts GABA.
Mental overload – Unspoken fears, overloaded schedules, or lack of boundaries can keep your stress switch flipped “on.”
Detox pathway congestion – When your liver is overwhelmed (by hormones, chemicals, or infections), cortisol clearance slows and your stress lingers longer.
GABA Supplements: Helpful or Just a Patch?
Many people try GABA supplements for anxiety and find short-term relief. But here’s the thing: GABA isn’t supposed to cross the blood-brain barrier. If it does, it might indicate something deeper—brain inflammation.
So yes, supplements like GABA, passionflower, or valerian root can help calm the nervous system. But if they work too well, it’s a clue that you need to address inflammation or gut-brain issues—not just keep supplementing indefinitely.
How to Naturally Relieve Stress and Rebuild Calm
The good news? Your body wants to return to balance—and it will, if you give it the right tools. Start with the foundations:
1. Nutrition to Regulate Stress
- Eat 3 solid meals a day with adequate amounts of protein and fat.
- Reduce sugar and high-carb snacks that spike cortisol and focus more so on snacks that are high in protein or fat
- Support GABA production with foods rich in magnesium, zinc, and B6.
2. Herbs to Calm the Nervous System
- Adaptogens (like rhodiola and ashwagandha) help the body adapt to chronic stress.
- Calming herbs (passionflower, valerian) support GABA and improve sleep onset.
3. Mental & Emotional Reset
- Practice journaling or prayer to process emotion.
- Ask yourself: What are my top sources of stress right now?
- Focus only on what you can control—then take small, tangible steps forward.
Still Anxious? It Might Be Time to Look Deeper
If you’re doing all the right things and still feel anxious, it’s often not about mindset—it’s about root causes that need to be investigated:
- Gut infections
- Hormone imbalances (like estrogen dominance or low testosterone)
- Heavy metal or chemical exposure
- Liver detox issues
- Methylation or B-vitamin pathway blocks
This is where functional medicine testing shines—because it helps you stop guessing and start addressing what’s really driving your stress.
You Can Rewire Your Stress Response
Anxiety is not a character flaw—and stress isn’t just about “coping better.” It’s about getting your body and brain back into balance. With the right approach, you can feel calm, clear, and back in control again.
If you are considering taking a prescription medication, seek the care and advice of a medical professional. This is my take on nutritional supplements, not medications.
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If you aren’t too short on time, tune into my podcast below to listen more about Stress and Anxiety