Medical disclaimer: CalmVerdict summarizes what people say about supplements on Reddit. It is not medical advice, and nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you take an antidepressant or other medicine, are pregnant, or have a medical condition. Do not stop or change prescribed medicine on your own. If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 (US) or your local emergency number. Full disclaimer.

Calm Supplement Shortlists

Quick shortlists from our Reddit owner data. Only supplements with 5 or more owner comments are included; vitamin D and B vitamins are background pages and are left out. Use these to narrow your reading, then check the safety notes on each page and talk to your doctor.

Top-rated by type

Magnesium

  1. Magnesium (form not stated) 4.1
  2. Magnesium glycinate 4.0
  3. Magnesium L-threonate (Magtein) 3.5

Amino acids & precursors

  1. L-theanine 4.0
  2. Taurine 3.7
  3. L-tryptophan 3.5

Calming herbs

  1. Passionflower 4.0
  2. Chamomile 4.0
  3. Saffron extract (incl. Affron) 4.0

Vitamins & other nutrients

  1. Inositol 3.5
  2. Omega-3 / fish oil (EPA/DHA) 3.2
  3. Methylfolate (L-methylfolate) 3.2

Fewest side-effect reports

Among supplements with at least 15 rated owner comments, ranked by the share that describe an unwanted effect.

  1. Chamomile: 7% of 30 rated comments
  2. Taurine: 7% of 29 rated comments
  3. Magnesium (form not stated): 11% of 274 rated comments
  4. Valerian root: 12% of 17 rated comments
  5. L-theanine: 14% of 196 rated comments

By concern

Anxiety & worry

  1. Saffron extract (incl. Affron)
  2. Lavender oil capsules (Silexan / Lavela)
  3. Valerian root

Low mood

  1. Saffron extract (incl. Affron)
  2. Taurine
  3. 5-HTP

Everyday stress

  1. Saffron extract (incl. Affron)
  2. Chamomile
  3. Magnesium (form not stated)

Panic attacks

  1. Saffron extract (incl. Affron)
  2. L-theanine
  3. Valerian root

Rumination & intrusive thoughts

  1. Saffron extract (incl. Affron)
  2. NAC (N-acetylcysteine)
  3. Magnesium (form not stated)

Physical tension

  1. L-theanine
  2. Taurine
  3. Magnesium glycinate

PMS & PMDD mood

  1. NAC (N-acetylcysteine)
  2. Magnesium glycinate
  3. Magnesium (form not stated)

Read our guide on choosing a supplement for stress or anxiety before you buy. Still comparing? Browse every calm supplement we track, sorted by Reddit owner score.