Maca & Anxiety
An anxiety disorder can cause a severe impact to your quality of life and impair your ability to function. Different anti-anxiety medications may alleviate some of your symptoms, however, they are often accompanied by undesirable side effects. Patients wishing to avoid these unpleasant side effects often turn to holistic and natural remedies. Although scientific studies are extremely limited, anecdotal evidence suggests that maca root may be a beneficial, natural anti-anxiety supplement. Do not use maca without consulting your doctor.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
About Maca
The maca, also known as Lepidium meyenii, is a plant native to the Andes mountains in South America, although it is grown in other warm, subtropical climates. According to Drs. The root of the maca plant is usually ground and used in over-the-counter supplements and drink mixes.
Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders
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It's normal to feel anxious when you encounter a fearful or stressful situation. However, it's not normal to experience persistent feelings of anxiety without an easily identifiable cause. If you feel symptoms such as:
- constant worry
- insomnia
- panic
- unexplained aches
- pains
- tension
- nervousness or avoidance of fear-invoking situations
- you may have an anxiety disorder
Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health disorders, affecting around 40 million American adults each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health 2. Medication and psychotherapy are frequently prescribed to help patients with anxiety disorders. While anxiety medications are not a cure for anxiety disorders, they may help you manage some of the symptoms. Some people also experience relief from anxiety symptoms through the use of natural or herbal supplements, such as maca.
- It's normal to feel anxious when you encounter a fearful or stressful situation.
- However, it's not normal to experience persistent feelings of anxiety without an easily identifiable cause.
Clinical Evidence
There is limited clinical evidence to support the claim that maca root is effective for alleviating anxiety. A study on postmenopausal women, published in the December 2008 issue of the journal, "Menopause," examined the effects of maca root supplementation on psychological symptoms and sexual dysfunction. The results showed that maca had a beneficial effect on reducing anxiety, depression and sexual dysfunction. However, another study, published in the December 2002 issue of the journal, "Andrologia," an international journal on sexual dysfunction in men, showed that while maca improved sexual desire in healthy male volunteers, it did not appear to have an effect on anxiety or depression 4.
- There is limited clinical evidence to support the claim that maca root is effective for alleviating anxiety.
- However, another study, published in the December 2002 issue of the journal, "Andrologia," an international journal on sexual dysfunction in men, showed that while maca improved sexual desire in healthy male volunteers, it did not appear to have an effect on anxiety or depression 4.
Considerations
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While anecdotal evidence suggests that maca may help anxiety, current clinical evidence is too limited to fully support this claim. More studies are needed to examine maca's effect on anxiety and anxiety disorders. If you think you have an anxiety disorder, do not attempt to self-diagnose or treat your symptoms. Consult your doctor or a licensed mental health professional for a proper diagnosis and to discuss treatment options. Inform your doctor if you plan to use a maca root supplement.
- While anecdotal evidence suggests that maca may help anxiety, current clinical evidence is too limited to fully support this claim.
- More studies are needed to examine maca's effect on anxiety and anxiety disorders.
Related Articles
References
- "Natural Medications for Psychiatric Disorders"; David Mischoulon, MD and Jerrold F. Rosenbaum, MD; 2008
- National Institute of Mental Health: Anxiety Disorders
- "Menopause"; Beneficial Effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca)...; N. Brooks, et al; Dec. 2008
- Ley, BM. Maca! Adaptogen and Hormonal Regulator. Minneapolis, MN: BL Publications: 2003.
- Shin BC, Lee MS, Yang EJ, Lim HS, Ernst E. Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2010;10:44. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-10-44
- Gonzales GF, Córdova A, Vega K, et al. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Andrologia. 2002;34(6):367-72. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0272.2002.00519.x
- Dording CM, Schettler PJ, Dalton ED, et al. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:949036. doi:10.1155/2015/949036
- Melnikovova I, Fait T, Kolarova M, Fernandez EC, Milella L. Effect of Lepidium meyenii Walp. on semen parameters and serum hormone levels in healthy adult men: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:324369. doi:10.1155/2015/324369
- Stojanovska L, Law C, Lai B, et al. Maca reduces blood pressure and depression, in a pilot study in postmenopausal women. Climacteric. 2015;18(1):69-78. doi:10.3109/13697137.2014.929649
- Oshima M, Gu Y, Tsukada S. Effects of Lepidium meyenii Walp and Jatropha macrantha on blood levels of estradiol-17 beta, progesterone, testosterone and the rate of embryo implantation in mice. J Vet Med Sci. 2003;65(10):1145-6. doi:10.1292/jvms.65.1145
- Loria, K. How to choose supplements wisely. Consumer Reports. Updated October 30, 2019.
- Dording CM, Schettler PJ, Dalton ED, et al. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:949036. doi: 10.1155/2015/949036
- Gonzales GF, Córdova A, Vega K, et al. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Andrologia. 2002;34(6):367-72.
- Melnikovova I, Fait T, Kolarova M, Fernandez EC, Milella L. Effect of Lepidium meyenii Walp. on Semen Parameters and Serum Hormone Levels in Healthy Adult Men: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:324369. doi: 10.1155/2015/324369
- Shin BC, Lee MS, Yang EJ, et al. Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2010;10:44. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-10-44.
- Stojanovska L, Law C, Lai B, et al. Maca Reduces Blood Pressure and Depression, in a Pilot Study in Postmenopausal Women. Climacteric. 2015;18(1):69-78. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2014.929649
Writer Bio
Ashley Miller is a licensed social worker, psychotherapist, certified Reiki practitioner, yoga enthusiast and aromatherapist. She has also worked as an employee assistance program counselor and a substance-abuse professional. Miller holds a Master of Social Work and has extensive training in mental health diagnosis, as well as child and adolescent psychotherapy. She also has a bachelor's degree in music.