Group of anti-anxiety drugs that increase GABA's inhibitory effect in the central nervous system, thus having a sedative effect. As such, it has been effective for controlling anxiety and helping with insomnia. 
Examples of benzodiazepines:
- Diazpam (valium)
- Xanax
- Halcion
- Ativan

Benzodiazepines to treat Anxiety

Effects are similar to opioids. Acute intoxication has been shown to produce an increase in sleepiness, decrease in wakefulness, and sometimes even daytime sleepiness. 

Chronic use can lead to the development of tolerance to these effects, rebound insomnia, and potentially serious withdrawal effects, especially for those with breathing-related issues, such as obstructive sleep apnea and hypoventilation. 

Parasomnias have been associated to higher doses of benzodiazepine receptor agonist medications and other sedative drugs.

Sedative/Hypnotic/Anxiolytic Substances

Valerian is used as a natural treatment for sleep issues, having sedative and hypnotic qualities that some studies have shown to be comparable to benzodiazepines. Although generally well-tolerated, some cases of severe adverse reactions have been documented.

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- St. John's Wort
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- S-Adenosyl Methionine
- Valerian
- Melatonin
- Ginkgo Biloba

Examples of Alternative Medicines

Mischoulon D. (2018). Popular herbal and natural remedies used in psychiatry. Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing), 16(1), 2–11. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20170041

Popular Herbal and Natural Remedies Used in Psychiatry

St. John's wort has shown promise as an affordable herbal treatment for depression, being compared to tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs, particularly with less severe forms of the disorder. However, it is also known to interact with several other drugs.

St. John's Wort

A key family of polyunsaturated fats. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) are all beneficial in hindering the progressive of degenerative disorders, and have shown some evidence of being useful in treating mental illnesses such as mood disorders. 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

S-adenosyl methionine has shown some promise in treating depression comparably to tricyclic antidepressants, especially in cases of unipolar depression or comorbid depression with other illnesses. It has been found to be well-tolerated and safe to use in conjunction with other drug treatments.

S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAMe)

Valerian

Ginkgo biloba is used in traditional Chinese medicine as a treatment for symptoms of dementia and for its supposed nootropic effects. Although research supporting its positive effect on cognitive function is limited and unclear, the supplement is generally well-tolerated and safe to use in most populations, barring those with bleeding disorders. 

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Melatonin is a hormone that is used to treat insomnia due to its hypnotic and sedative effects. Although findings regarding its efficacy in different populations have been mixed, it is generally well-tolerated, barring some rare adverse reactions especially among immunocompromised individuals.

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