Top 10 soothing pills

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Contrary to the common phrase, not all diseases are from nerves. But we have to admit that the level of stress in the life of a modern person literally rolls over. Consequences – insomnia, high blood pressure, unexplained anxiety, decreased immunity. And this is not to mention the fact that a 'nervous' person is rarely able to keep emotions to himself, being 'discharged' on loved ones and maintaining the cycle of stress in society.

The trouble is that the popular advice to “don't get nervous” and “pull yourself together” is completely useless in practice. Stress, anxiety, negative emotions trigger a complex chain of biochemical interactions in the body, the release of special hormones, neurotransmitters – substances that change the activity of the nervous system. In principle, it is impossible to interrupt chemical reactions by an effort of will. But sedatives successfully cope with this.

While compiling the rating of the best soothing pills, we paid attention, first of all, to the available drugs that do not require regular medical supervision when used. Those who need 'heavy artillery' will have to see a specialist: a neurologist or a psychiatrist.

Rating of the best soothing pills

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best soothing herbal pills	1	St. John's wort extract	326 RUB
	2	Persen	RUB 218
	3	Novo-passite	199 RUB
The best sedative tablets for children	1	Glycine	RUB 33
	2	Phenibut	RUB 40
	3	Magne B6	480 RUB
The best synthetic sedatives	1	Afobazol	378 r
	2	Adaptol	RUB 608
The best sedative dietary supplements	1	Tryptophan	765 RUB
	2	Gamma-aminobutyric acid	RUB 1,040

The best soothing herbal pills

Herbs are the first pharmacy of mankind. But phytopreparations, that is, dried parts of plants, themselves have some disadvantages. Firstly, the content of nutrients in them can vary greatly depending on the place and time of growth, the time of collection, and environmental conditions. Therefore, the result is not always predictable. Secondly, in addition to useful substances, harmful substances can also appear in plants: lead from the soil, if the plants are collected by the 'grandmother' near the highway, pesticides used to treat the fields. Therefore, modern pharmacology does not use herbs by themselves, but extracts of useful substances – plant extracts. They can be reduced to standard doses and a predictable result can be obtained.

Talking about medicines based on herbal extracts in our rating, we want to remind you: 'herbs', although generally safer than 'chemical' drugs, also have maximum dosages, contraindications and side effects that must be taken into account.

The effect of taking any herbal preparations is cumulative, so that it can manifest itself requires 2 – 3 weeks of regular intake. Therefore, before drawing conclusions about whether the medicine helps or does not help, you need to wait, and if the stress is acute and requires some urgent measures, it is better to use tablets with a synthetic active substance.

St. John's wort extract

Rating: 4.9

Trade names: Negrustin, Deprim Forte, Neuroplant.

The fact that St. John's wort acts similarly to known antidepressants, regulating the amount of serotonin in the nervous system, became known in the 80s of the last century. Later studies confirmed the sedative properties of this herb. Active active ingredients – hypericin, pseudohypericin and hyperforin – improve the functional state of the nervous system, have a psychostabilizing effect. After taking pills based on St. John's wort extract, mood gradually rises, the psycho-emotional background is leveled, anxiety decreases. The active substances of St. John's wort normalize sleep, restore activity and performance, reduce bodily manifestations of anxiety and depression such as surges in blood pressure, sweating, and weakness.

Unlike many sedatives, St. John's wort extract does not induce drowsiness and can be used by those who drive or work in conditions that require focus and quick reactions.

You can take St. John's wort extract 1 to 3 times a day, depending on how you feel. Among the side effects, the most common is allergies, discomfort in the abdomen (dyspepsia) is possible.

St. John's wort increases the sensitivity to sunlight, so taking it in the summer is best to avoid long exposure to the sun, and if this is not possible, use sunscreen. It enhances the effects of traditional antidepressants, so this combination is best avoided. In addition, it is not recommended to take St. John's wort simultaneously with theophylline, cyclosporins, anticonvulsants. Women using hormonal contraceptives need to keep in mind that St. John's wort weakens their effect, so during the period of its use it is better to use additional means of protection against unwanted pregnancy.

Not recommended for pregnant women, children under 12 years of age.

Advantages

• natural composition,
• high efficiency, in the initial stages of depression comparable to 'heavy' antidepressants.

disadvantages

• increases sensitivity to the sun.

Persen

Rating: 4.8

Contains extracts of valerian, lemon balm and mint. Herbal ingredients are selected so as to enhance each other's action. Due to lemon balm and mint, which are not only sedatives, but also mild antispasmodics, it is optimal in situations where stress is accompanied by so-called psychosomatic manifestations – abdominal pain, 'bear's disease', headaches, a slight increase in blood pressure. For the same reason, Persen should not be used by people prone to hypotension and fainting – the antispasmodic effect extends also to the smooth muscles of the vessels, which can excessively reduce blood pressure. It is also not recommended for cholelithiasis – mint has a weak choleretic effect, which can cause the stones to 'move'.

Persen's daily dosage: 2 – 3 tablets, they can be taken both evenly throughout the day, and once before bedtime, if the main complaint is difficulty falling asleep. If the minimum dosage does not help, you can increase the number of capsules taken to 12 per day – of course, in this case, they should not be consumed at once, but throughout the day.

Possible side effects are an allergic reaction to the herbal components of the tablets, with prolonged use of Persen, constipation is possible, again due to the antispasmodic properties of lemon balm and mint.

Due to the lack of safety data, it is not worth using Persen for pregnant, lactating and children under 12 years of age – for obvious reasons, it is impossible to conduct a study on these groups of patients.

Advantages

• natural composition,
• safety of use.

disadvantages

• relatively high price for common herbal extracts.

Novo-passite

Rating: 4.7

Contains seven medicinal extracts that mutually potentiate the action of each other and the semi-synthetic substance guaifenesin.

Plants that make up Novo-passit:

1. valerian,
2. Melissa,
3. St. John's wort,
4. hawthorn,
5. passionflower (passionflower),
6. hop,
7. elderberry black.

Hawthorn and lemon balm, in addition to a sedative (calming) effect, have a mild hypotensive effect, that is, the ability to lower blood pressure. Passionflower and hops reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Black elderberry has soothing and tonic properties.

Guaifenesin is a semisynthetic substance based on guaiac tree extract. It was traditionally used as an expectorant, but over time it turned out that it has anxiolytic, that is, anti-anxiety properties, and also enhances the sedative and hypnotic effects of other drugs. Actually, for this purpose it was added to Novo-Passit.

Recently, there has been evidence that hop extract contains phytoestrogens, plant substances with an effect similar to that of female sex hormones. Therefore, Novo-Passit is primarily suitable for older women, to correct the influence of hormonal changes on the emotional sphere. It can also be useful for stress-induced headaches and migraines, insomnia.

Take a tablet 3 times a day.

Among the side effects, the most common are allergies and increased drowsiness. Therefore, Novo-passit is not recommended for people who drive a car or for those whose work requires attention and quick reaction.

Contraindicated under 12 years of age.

Advantages

• complex composition.

disadvantages

• not recommended for those who drive,
• with prolonged use may cause constipation.

The best sedative tablets for children

We have included in this section of the rating tablets approved for use in children over three years old. The fact is that, according to the experts of the Ministry of Health, who created the criteria according to which medicines are registered, any pill is contraindicated at the age of three years in principle, since it is difficult for babies to swallow them and there is a considerable risk that the child will choke. Therefore, for a younger age, there are all sorts of drops, syrups, herbal teas. Soothing tablets can only be used after three years.

But before grabbing drugs, especially when it comes to babies, it's best to start with time-tested non-drug methods. For babies, soothing baths with valerian, motherwort or mint are good: the skin of babies is able to absorb medicinal substances. For older children, warm baths with sea salt are suitable. You can also put scented pillows in bed, inside of which all the same soothing herbs are sewn. Of course, all this is permissible only if the child does not have allergies and does not suffer from bronchial asthma – with this disease, herbal medicine in any form is contraindicated.

You should not prescribe medications to the baby yourself, show him to the doctor: perhaps the cause of concern is a serious illness, and not stress. If the reason for his anxiety still lies in external factors: adaptation to kindergarten, overwork, excess of impressions, the following pills can help.

Glycine

Rating: 4.6

A medicine tested by generations of mothers. Strictly speaking, this is not a sedative, but a nootropic – a drug that normalizes processes in the central nervous system and increases mental performance. Moreover, it has the properties:

1. improve mood,
2. facilitate falling asleep and normalize the duration and depth of sleep,
3. reduce psycho-emotional stress,
4. reduce aggressiveness,
5. improve social adaptation.

Glycine tablets should not be swallowed, but sucked behind the cheek or under the tongue. The medicine has a sweetish taste, so children usually don't mind taking it.

For healthy babies, glycine is prescribed 1 tablet 3 times a day as a sedative, the course of application is from 2 weeks to a month. For sleep disorders, you can give 1 tablet at night.

The drug is contraindicated in case of individual intolerance.

Advantages

• time-tested pills
• safety of use.

disadvantages

• should be absorbed, not swallowed.

Phenibut

Rating: 4.5

This medicine also belongs to nootropics: it helps to adapt to mental stress and improves metabolic processes in the central nervous system. But besides this, Phenibut reduces anxiety, tension, anxiety, and normalizes sleep.

Reduces the severity of headaches caused by stress, eliminates weakness, psycho-emotional instability. An indirect indicator of how effectively Phenibut reduces stress levels is that it is one of the medicines included in the astronauts' first aid kit.

Phenibut is prescribed for children not only as a sedative, but also in the complex treatment of stuttering and tics.

The likelihood of developing side effects is low. The drug may cause drowsiness. Another variant of undesirable phenomena is a paradoxical (reverse) reaction to the drug, when, after taking it, a headache, dizziness, and irritability appear. Allergic reactions are possible.

Phenibut is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women under the age of 2 years.

Dispensed by prescription.

Advantages

• effectively reduces high levels of stress, keeping a person active and efficient.

disadvantages

• prescription drug.

Magne B6

Rating: 4.4

Restores the level of magnesium in the body – a mineral that is vital for the functioning of all cells in the body – and pyridoxine, a vitamin that regulates the nervous system. Natural magnesium is found in wheat bran, pumpkin and sesame seeds, pine and walnuts, spinach – in a word, foods that are not often included in the diet of children. Therefore, the deficiency of this mineral in the body is not uncommon. In addition, dysbiosis and the use of antibiotics contribute to its development, which is also not uncommon in childhood.

Magnesium and B6 regulate the transmission of nerve impulses, eliminating increased irritability, fatigue, restoring sleep.

Children over 6 years of age are prescribed 4 to 6 tablets per day, which should be taken in 2 to 3 doses.

The remedy is contraindicated in severe renal failure. The safety of use during pregnancy and lactation has not been established.

When taking Magne B6, you need to remember that the absorption of magnesium is blocked by calcium, so it should not be taken simultaneously with dairy products or multivitamins containing calcium.

Advantages

• replenishes the deficiency of magnesium and vitamin B6,

disadvantages

• cannot be combined with multivitamins, and foods containing calcium.

The best synthetic sedatives

In this section of the rating, we have included drugs from different pharmacological groups that somehow regulate the work of the nervous system. Unlike herbal preparations, such tablets show the desired result already in the first days of administration.

Afobazol

Rating: 4.3

Reduces anxiety and has a mild stimulating effect. Eliminates such manifestations of nervousness as:

1. irritability,
2. tearfulness,
3. fearfulness,
4. insomnia,
5. heartbeat
6. feeling short of breath
7. weakening of memory
8. inability to concentrate.

Manifesting within a week after the start of use, the effects of afobazole reach a maximum by the end of the month and persist for another 2 weeks after the end of the intake.

It is recommended to take Afobazol 10 mg 3 times a day, the duration of the course is from 2 weeks to 3 months, if necessary. Short courses can be prescribed for women in the second half of the menstrual cycle to reduce the manifestations of premenstrual syndrome.

Allergic reactions are possible from side effects.

Afobazole is contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding, under the age of 18.

Advantages

• can be applied in relatively short courses,
• can be used for PMS,
• over-the-counter.

disadvantages

• it is not recommended to combine with alcohol.

Adaptol

Rating: 4.2

Regulates the ratio of mediators – special substances that activate or inhibit various functions of the central nervous system, contributing to the normalization of the emotional state. Eliminates unmotivated anxiety, anxiety, fear, reduces irritability, reduces internal emotional stress. By itself, sleep disturbances do not eliminate and do not contribute to falling asleep, but enhances the effect of sleeping pills.

Improves focus and mental performance.

The recommended dosage is 500 mg three times a day. It can be taken both in short courses and for 2 – 3 months, if necessary. Adaptol is combined with any other medications, including 'heavy' tranquilizers, antidepressants, allowing them to enhance their effect and reduce the dosage.

Side effects are minimal – allergic reactions are possible.

The remedy is not recommended during pregnancy and children as safety has not been studied.

Advantages

• can be combined with any medications,
• fast onset of the effect.

disadvantages

• prescription drug.

The best sedative dietary supplements

In this section of the rating, we have included biologically active additives that contribute to the normalization of processes in the central nervous system. Their sedative effect is somewhat similar to herbal preparations – it develops relatively slowly, but persists even after the end of the use of the product. Such dietary supplements act mildly and rarely cause side effects.

Tryptophan

Rating: 4.1

It is an essential amino acid, from which the body produces the serotonin necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system. Tryptophan, often referred to as the good mood amino acid, must be absorbed through the diet. Most of it is found in red and black caviar, hard cheeses, peanuts, almonds, cashews. In a word, in products that are not available to everyone and not every day. Therefore, it is often necessary to take additional tryptophan.

Serotonin, which is produced from tryptophan, is often referred to as the 'joy hormone'. This substance creates a consistently good mood, an even positive emotional background. By participating in the synthesis of melatonin, serotonin promotes healthy and satisfying sleep.

Tryptophan can help with conditions such as:

1. depression,
2. increased anxiety,
3. increased irritability, aggressiveness,
4. chronic fatigue syndrome,
5. premenstrual syndrome,
6. sleep disturbance.

Tryptophan has another curious side effect: it reduces the need for sweets and reduces appetite, so it can be separately recommended for people prone to 'seize' stress.

The daily dosage of tryptophan is from 500 mg to 2 grams, depending on the general condition. To restore sleep, it should be taken at night, in all other cases – evenly throughout the day. You need to start with the minimum dosage, since with an excessive amount of tryptophan, side effects such as nausea may appear. dry mouth, drowsiness.

In no case should you combine it with the 'pharmacy' antidepressants prescribed by your doctor – this can lead to an excessive increase in the level of serotonin in the blood.

Tryptophan can be purchased both in pharmacies selling a Russian-made product and in foreign online stores.

Advantages

• gently and naturally regulates mood,
• helps in the fight against excess weight.

disadvantages

• cannot be combined with antidepressants.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid

Rating: 4.0

Trade names: Aminalon, GABA, GABA.

It is one of the most powerful inhibitory neurotransmitters of the central nervous system, or, more simply, a substance that soothes nerve cells. In addition, GABA improves blood circulation and normalizes metabolic processes in the brain. By the way, modern doctors associate the calming effect of valerian precisely with the fact that it increases the level of GABA in the brain.

The tool reduces the level of general anxiety, prevents the appearance of panic attacks. Reducing the general level of excitability, improves sleep, accelerates falling asleep. Reduces the manifestations of PMS. Improves attention and memory. Has a mild hypotensive effect.

The initial dosage is 250 mg 3 times a day, with normal tolerance, the dose can be increased to 1.5 g per day.

Possible adverse events – nausea, fluctuations in blood pressure, a feeling of heat.

An interesting side effect: GABA stimulates the production of growth hormone. therefore, it is often taken by practicing bodybuilders (in dosages of up to 3 grams per day) to increase muscle mass and reduce body fat.

GABA is contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation, with severe renal failure, before the age of 3 years.

The product can be purchased both in Russian pharmacies (with a doctor's prescription) and in foreign online stores as an over-the-counter dietary supplement.

Advantages

• overdose is impossible: the body effectively neutralizes the excess substance,
• improves metabolic processes in the brain.

disadvantages

• use with caution by those driving.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.