Could the essential oil bergamot be as effective as diazepam (a benzodiazepine) in reducing anxiety?
An animal study shows very promising results: Acute effects of bergamot oil on anxiety-related behaviour and corticosterone level in rats
both BEO [bergamot essential oil] and diazepam exhibited anxiolytic-like behaviours and attenuated HPA axis activity by reducing the corticosterone response to stress
What this is means is that the bergamot was found to be as effective as diazepam in reducing the anxiety. Bergamot also reduced cortisol levels.
I’m really excited to see a study comparing an essential oil with benzodiazepines because I’m really worried that so many people are being prescribed benzodiazepines and that they are being used long-term. They are meant to be used short-term, if at all. They have very addictive properties, there are dependence issues and can be really really hard to quit, often with a very challenging withdrawal period. And too many people, including many in the medical profession, are not aware of all the issues once you start down this road.
If you’ve been following me for some time you’ll know I’m really vocal about the dangers of this class of medication. You can read about the first World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day here.
How wonderful if we use these other wonderful approaches instead of benzodiazepines: use an essential oil like bergamot (or more than one – like lavender, roman chamomile and neroli too) and make food changes (like quitting gluten, caffeine and sugar), and add some amino acids like GABA and tryptophan and reduce the stress in our lives!
I talk about this research and other essential oils for anxiety and stress in the upcoming Essential Oils Revolution 2 summit which runs August 22 to 29. I’m so thrilled to be part of this event!
I can’t wait to learn more and hope you’ll tune in and learn tons too. Here is the registration link https://qt247.isrefer.com/go/EOR16reg/trudyscottcn/
Let’s get the conversation started now. Feel free to share which essential oils you use for anxiety and stress? And how do you use them?