9 Best Stress Support Supplements For 2024
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We’ve researched and taken clean supplements for years — these are our favorite options to support you during stressful times.
Did you know that some degree of stress is actually beneficial? It keeps us safe and even motivates us at times. To manage healthy levels of stress, the human body is equipped with two primary stress response systems: One that acts quickly, the Sympathetic-Adreno-Medullar System (SAM), and a slower response system, the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal System (HPA axis), which is responsible for releasing the stress response hormone cortisol, among other functions. The goal of both systems is to dial stress up and then back down to calm and balance when the inciting incident subsides — but when chronic levels of stress remain with us, it can lead to some adverse effects.
If not adequately managed, constant stress can lead to problems in immune and brain function, skin and gut health, sleep, and even severe mood disorders and reproductive challenges. Stress support supplements are a safe and fast way to trigger your body’s natural process of de-stressing and support your body’s HPA-Axis. Some supplements offer immediate relief, while others replenish and support the stress support systems over the long term. In either case, these supplements can help to reduce anxiety symptoms, lower or balance cortisol levels, and help you restore sleep. They can even facilitate resiliency to stress, which is essential to managing the exposures we know we cannot avoid (aka life!).
What ingredients should you look for in stress support supplements?
Although cortisol plays an essential role in the stress response — controlling mood, motivation, and fear — too much or too little is no good. Spikes in cortisol due to chronic stress cause weight gain, tension headaches, joint pain, and even fibromyalgia. So, balancing cortisol is extremely important. Adaptogens — compounds that increase a person’s ability to resist, adapt, or become resilient in nonspecific ways to any type of stressor — are a popular way of managing the cortisol response. In addition, many stress supplements provide vitamins and nutrients to help with mood and cellular processes. Here are some ingredients to look for in a quality and effective stress support supplement:
- Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is an adaptogen grown in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa, and Europe. It’s rich in phytochemicals, including withanolides — polyoxygenated steroidal lactones believed to be responsible for its proposed positive effects. Participants in this study who were given ashwagandha felt a heightened sense of calm, mental clarity, and better sleep than those given the placebo.
- B Vitamins: Vitamin B is highly involved in cellular energy production and is vital to keeping systems and organs working. It also helps with the production of serotonin and dopamine (feel-good neurotransmitters). Therefore, evidence suggests that B vitamins help with overall mood and stress relief.
- L-theanine: L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea leaves. This study’s results showed that stress-related symptoms decreased and cognitive function improved after four weeks of taking L-theanine.
- Magnesium: Magnesium is an essential element that helps regulate the release of cortisol. It also blocks the activity of stimulating neurotransmitters, giving it a calming effect, and regulates GABA, which is important for quality sleep. Of the three forms of magnesium safe for consumption, magnesium glycinate is thought to be the most effective form for managing stress.
- Rhodiola rosea: Rhodiola rosea is a medicinal plant that has been used in Scandinavian countries for centuries. It is said to restore balance in the body through the compounds rosavin and salidroside, which help regulate cortisol levels. It has also been shown to stimulate serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system — having a positive effect on cognitive function and aerobic performance.
- Nervines: Nervines are tonics derived from herbs that affect the central nervous system. Some nervines have calming effects, and others revitalize or wake up the nervous system. Well-known herbs for managing stress include American skullcap, ashwagandha, lavender, ginseng, and lemon balm.
- Shatavari: Shatavari is an adaptogenic root thought that helps regulate serotonin. It comes from the asparagus family, and you’ll find it in some of our favorite supplements below.
Our criteria:
Our editors have taken, researched, and corresponded with the top clean supplement brands on the market. For this list, we’ve rounded up our favorite supplements to support you when stress is high. We regularly update this list with new options that meet the below criteria.
- CLEAN INGREDIENTS | The supplements on this list contain natural or organic ingredients that have been third-party tested for quality and efficacy.
- GENTLE FORMULATION | We’ve included options on list that are formulated for easy digestion, since stress impacts that too.
- SCIENCE-BACKED | The brands on this list are backed by studies and experts in medicine and science to ensure they’re safe and work for you.
If you’re hoping to further support your wellbeing, check out our guide to women’s multivitamins and immune support.
1. Needed
Best For | Nighttime support
Functional Ingredients | Magnesium, L-theanine, L-glycine, chamomile
Prices Starting At | As low as $35/mo.
Getting good sleep is key for healthy stress management and yet when you are under a lot of stress, sleep can prove incredibly difficult. Needed tops our list with its clinical-strength Sleep + Relaxation Support, designed to facilitate optimal sleep, relaxation, and overall cognitive health. Sleep + Relaxation is made with effective, science-backed nutrients and botanicals and is safe for all stages, including pregnancy and breastfeeding. Described as a slightly sweet, chamomile-like tea, this powder contains three forms of magnesium — a mineral used by cells in the body — for optimal absorption and time-release capabilities.
Customer Review | “This is the BEST ! I finally and able to sleep and not have my mind going a mile a minute. With little ones and another on the way this is definitely Needed. Would recommend this to anyone who has trouble sleeping or staying a sleep.” – Amanda C. (Read more reviews.)
Get an extra 20% off your first purchase with code HELLONEEDED
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2. Ritual
Best For | All-day support
Functional Ingredients | Ashwagandha, L-theanine, saffron
Prices Starting At | $54 for one month’s supply
The strategic and patented time-release capsule design of Ritual’s Stress Relief has us hooked. Stress Relief soothes the HPA-axis, balancing cortisol levels over the course of eight hours, providing all day support. And since cortisol is not all bad, Stress Relief ensures it’s present when needed and dials back when not. Ritual recommends this supplement be taken first thing in the morning when cortisol tends to peak. Stress Relief is effective thanks to L-theanine for an immediate, non-drowsy sense of calm, and continues to work as Ashwagandha reduces overall stress, and the saffron facilitates an upbeat, happy mood. All Ritual products are backed by a scientific advisory board composed of medical doctors, nutritionists, and scientists. Ritual products are “Made Traceable,” – meaning they are transparent about the supplier, ingredient source, and final place of manufacture.
3. Swanson Health
Best For | Affordable stress, nerve, muscle, and bone support
Functional Ingredients | Magnesium
Prices Starting At | $3 for 30-day supply
Magnesium is a mineral that serves essential functions for our body, responsible for transporting calcium and activating vitamin D, for starters. But it’s likely that you’re not getting enough of it in your diet, or it’s being lost in food processing and preparation. Swanson Health’s Triple Magnesium Complex more than makes up for the gap, delivering 400 mg of magnesium per serving — nearly a full day’s worth of this important mineral to help reduce stress, tiredness, and fatigue. Just like the name says, this supplement provides three distinct sources for maximum benefits, better bioavailability, optimal absorption, and digestibility. Starting at around $3 for 30 capsules, this supplement is super affordable, and you can subscribe to save 30% through Swanson Health’s Easy Refill program. Win, win, win.
Customer Review | “I bought this because it was inexpensive and I just wanted to try it to see if it would help me on those occasional sleepless nights to sleep. So far it seems to do the trick.” – Neicie (Read more reviews.)
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4. FullWell
Best For | Probiotic with stress support
Functional Ingredients | Three main ingredients including l. paracasei (to help with stress response)
Prices Starting At | $45 for one month supply (discount with subscription)
FullWell’s new Women’s Daily Probiotic includes beneficial strains that help promote a normal stress response, digestive health, and vaginal health. It’s the only probiotic designed to support women through every age and stage, including pregnancy and breastfeeding. We love that each capsule contains three types of clinically effective bacteria with 32 billion colony-forming units (CFU) and that it works to support stress resilience. How’s that for two birds with one stone!? For new customers, use code FULLWELL20 for 20% OFF.
5. Momentous
Best For | Energy
Functional Ingredients | Rhodiola rosea
Prices Starting At | $18 for one-month serving
If you are on a budget and looking for just one stress-management supplement to add to your group, the Momentous Rhodiola Rosea supplement is a great option. It may be a single ingredient, but Rhodiola Rosea packs a one-two stress support punch as an adaptogen and anti-fatigue agent. Thanks to the bioactive compounds of rosavin and salidroside, just one capsule of this sustainably-sourced ingredient a day can help relieve stress, regulate cortisol levels, and give you energy. In addition to stress management, this is said to be great to help get more out of high-intensity workouts. While Rhodiola Rosea is safe and non-toxic, some people do report slightly upset stomachs while taking it, so pay attention to tummy woes. Still, the pricepoint makes it easy enough to test out without a significant investment.
Customer Review | “I use this regularly. I take it in the morning to set the tone for the day, especially if I’m recovering from a workout/have a stressful day ahead of me. Helps me feel calm and focused, but not sleepy.” – Katie R. (Read more reviews.)
6. Moon Juice
Best For | Stress-related weight gain
Functional Ingredients | Shatavari, ashwagandha, amla, rhodiola rosea
Prices Starting At | $50
The effectiveness of Moon Juice’s SuperYou stress formula comes backed by 3000 reviews and 4.8 stars all promoting its potent proactive and reactive adaptogenic formula. Within SuperYou capsules, four adaptogens — used throughout history in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese medicine — work synergistically to help alleviate the emotional, mental, hormonal, and physical manifestations of stress. This potent formula alleviates fatigue, protects skin from oxidative stress, boosts energy and mood, and controls stress-related weight gain. All Moon Juice product ingredients are 100% traceable, pure, and sustainably sourced. And your first month comes with a refillable glass bottle.
Customer Review | “Increased energy and improved mood…check and check! So far loving what SuperYou is doing for me! Stress levels feel more manageable and I’m able to focus at work better than ever. Love it!” – Erin L. (Read more reviews.)
7. Thorne
Best For | Adrenal support
Functional Ingredients | Vitamin B, Ashwaganda
Prices Starting At | $20 for 30 servings
As we age, our adrenals become taxed and depleted from years of chronic stress management. Thorne’s Stress Balance (formerly Phytisone) promotes stress resilience and supports the HPA axis through a blend of adaptogens, herbs, and vitamins. It offers some pretty comprehensive stress support. It also contains Siberian Ginseng, which has been proven to regulate immune response and hormone changes due to stress while also providing energy and stamina. Stress Balance is not intended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and those taking blood thinners should also proceed with caution.
Customer Review | “Work is stressful, and I’m an anxious type. Been taking two capsules daily in the morning with breakfast for about three weeks, and I have been enjoying some of the calmest and worry-free days and restful nights of my entire adult life. The stressors are still there, but they seem to roll off of me more easily now without snowballing. I’m not one to write reviews usually, but I had to say that so far this formula is changing my life for the better.” – Jaime. (Read more reviews.)
8. Hilma
Best For | Tension headaches and stiffness
Functional Ingredients | Willow bark, feverfew, skullcap, Boswellia, magnesium
Prices Starting At | $32 for 25 servings
Most of us have experienced stress-related tension headaches and stiff joints, forcing us to reach for gut and liver-damaging relief like ibuprofen and aspirin. Hilma’s Tension Relief offers an alternative. It’s proven relief with a strategic formula that works quickly and effectively to relieve tension and stiffness in the body. In fact, Hilma documents four rounds of testing for proven effectiveness and boasts reviews claiming not only did it help with head tension but it relieved all worry and anxiety from stress related to work. Sounds like a dream.
Customer Review | “I am a skeptic but was desperately in need of something to relieve tension and stress. I have had awful anxiety due to my job as a teacher and this helped me so much. It took away the worry that I carry all over my body. I will never not have this in stock!” – nraczy (Read more reviews.)
9. Wooden Spoon
Best For | Sustainable energy
Functional Ingredients | Organic eleuthero root, organic ashwagandha root, organic cordyceps mycelium, organic Schisandra berry, American ginseng root, rhodiola root, red
Chinese ginseng root
Prices Starting At | $34 for 90 capsules
Wooden Spoon Herbals was started in founder Lauren Haynes’ Tennessee Kitchen with the goal of making earth-grown, time-tested herbal formulas accessible to all. Wooden Spoon’s Stress Savior is a comprehensive blend of seven adaptogenic herbs intended to keep you cool, calm, and collected. It combats burnout, restores balance, and offers energy to get you through your day. These products used to only be available at Whole Foods, but now you can order directly from the website and have them delivered straight to your front door. We’ve long loved this brand’s tinctures and powders, but in this case, you’ll take one capsule up to 4 times a day as needed.
Featured image is from Needed
Randi Donahue is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade. She is currently earning an MS in Health Science and Functional & Integrative Nutrition from Northwestern Health Sciences University. She brings over 10 years of research and writing expertise, focusing on making complex health and wellness concepts more accessible to readers. When not writing about health topics, you can find her reviewing the latest outdoor products and wellness tech. Based on Florida’s Gulf Coast, she and her family are passionate about nature and believe the path to a healthy and prosperous life requires authenticity, kindness, and a whole lot of fresh air.
