Nootropic profile
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
A well-known aromatic herb whose standardised oral extract (Silexan/Lavela) has demonstrated anxiolytic efficacy comparable to benzodiazepines in clinical trials - without sedation, cognitive impairment, or dependence risk.
Best for
Educational only: this is not medical advice. Always check with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement.
What is Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)?
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has been used for relaxation and emotional wellbeing for thousands of years, but its nootropic credentials were dramatically elevated by the development of Silexan - a standardised oral lavender essential oil preparation that.
What it does for you
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How to take it
- Oral extract (Silexan): 80-160 mg per day. 80 mg is the standard dose; 160 mg showed enhanced effects in more severe anxiety
- Timing: Take once daily, with or without food. Can be taken morning or evening
- Onset: Anxiolytic effects begin within the first week and reach full efficacy by 2-4 weeks
- Aromatherapy: Inhaled lavender essential oil provides acute calming effects within minutes, though the evidence is stronger for oral preparations
- Quality: Silexan (sold as Lavela WS 1265 or CalmAid) is the specific preparation used in clinical trials. Generic lavender essential oil capsules may differ...
Watch out for
- Excellent safety profile: No sedation, no psychomotor impairment, no dependence, and no withdrawal effects in clinical trials
- Mild side effects: Occasional eructation (burping) with lavender taste is the most common side effect. Taking with food reduces this
- No drug interactions: Silexan has shown no clinically significant interactions with common medications in pharmacokinetic studies
- Do not ingest pure essential oil: Only use products specifically formulated for oral consumption. Undiluted lavender essential oil can cause...
- Pregnancy: Insufficient clinical data for oral lavender supplements during pregnancy. Topical and aromatic use is generally considered safe
The science, if you're curious.
- Linalool and linalyl acetate inhibit presynaptic calcium channels, reducing excessive neuronal excitability - a mechanism shared with the anticonvulsant...
- Linalool acts as a partial agonist at 5-HT1A receptors, the same target as the anxiolytic buspirone
- Potentiates GABAergic transmission through positive allosteric modulation of GABA-A receptors
- Reduces glutamatergic excitotoxicity through NMDA receptor antagonism
Where to find it
- Silexan/Lavela WS 1265/CalmAid: The clinically studied standardised oral preparation, available in softgel capsules
- Lavender essential oil: For aromatherapy use - diffusers, pillow sprays, or topical application (diluted in carrier oil)
- Dried lavender: Available for brewing tea, though the dose is lower and less standardised than oral extracts
- Fresh lavender: Easy to grow in gardens; the scent alone provides mild calming benefits
Frequently asked
A well-known aromatic herb whose standardised oral extract (Silexan/Lavela) has demonstrated anxiolytic efficacy comparable to benzodiazepines in clinical trials - without sedation, cognitive impairment, or dependence risk.
The main benefits people report from Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) are: Anxiety & Calm, Cognitive Enhancement, Focus, Mood, Sleep, Stress Relief.
Oral extract (Silexan): 80-160 mg per day. 80 mg is the standard dose; 160 mg showed enhanced effects in more severe anxietyTiming: Take once daily, with or without food. Can be taken morning or eveningOnset: Anxiolytic effects begin within the first week and reach full efficacy by 2-4 weeksAromathe...
Excellent safety profile: No sedation, no psychomotor impairment, no dependence, and no withdrawal effects in clinical trialsMild side effects: Occasional eructation (burping) with lavender taste is the most common side effect. Taking with food reduces thisNo drug interactions: Silexan has shown no...
Linalool and linalyl acetate inhibit presynaptic calcium channels, reducing excessive neuronal excitability - a mechanism shared with the anticonvulsant...Linalool acts as a partial agonist at 5-HT1A receptors, the same target as the anxiolytic buspironePotentiates GABAergic transmission through pos...
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