Lavender outperforming an SSRI for generalized anxiety disorder...?

⚪ Clinical pearl: Silexan, a specific oral lavender extract, has a robust evidence base and a surprisingly complex, medication-like pharmacology. In a large head-to-head trial, Silexan not only worked better than placebo but also outperformed paroxetine for GAD, with an effect size of 0.87. Its mechanisms are multifaceted: it inhibits calcium channels like pregabalin, has GABA-ergic effects like benzodiazepines, and acts as a serotonin-1A agonist like buspirone. The effective dose is 80–160 mg/day, with half of patients achieving remission on the higher dose.

🔗 To learn more about this pearl, check out the Carlat Article: https://www.thecarlatreport.com/articles/3232-silexan-a-novel-anxiolytic