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Lexapro Alternatives, Drug-Free Therapies

Please remember — DO NOT ABRUPTLY STOP TAKING LEXAPRO OR ANY OTHER SSRI MEDICATION SEEK MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR A SAFE OUTCOME.

Since the official codification of naturopathy in the late 90s, a wider availability of drug-free alternatives to Lexapro have played a critical role.1 Natural, drug free methods can help safely transition in a gradual and gentle way to reduce medication over time. Orthomolecular Medicine has conclusively shown that diet is a cornerstone of both physical and mental wellness. The importance of a diet that provides the micro-nutrients for the billions of neurochemical functions inside a healthy body and well-functioning central nervous system cannot be overstated. Creating a template of drug-free Lexapro® alternatives in a treatment plan can also be exponentially enhanced by utilizing more than one therapy in tandem. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy in combination with upgrading the diet could be even more effective than either of these powerful aids by themselves.

lexapro holistic alternative therapiesDrugs are often offered as a first-line “treatment” for depression, a notoriously ineffective way to address such a common and ruinous diagnosis.2,3,11,22 A simple and effective approach is found by eliminating things that contribute to depression. This can include getting ample sleep every night, eating a healthy and balanced diet, being physically active, and avoiding drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, processed foods, and eliminating other sources of toxins.6,16,42 Even certain foods and food allergies can contribute to depression and other unwanted symptoms.24,39 Nutritional deficiencies can also contribute to depression.5,8,9

Many drug-free Lexapro alternatives are found in holistic and alternative medicine. There are some powerful natural remedies for depression that may provide workable alternatives to pharmaceutical prescription medications as both treatment and preventative measures.

Please remember that for transitioning from medication, the use of herbal remedies must be well-monitored by medical professionals who are familiar with drug discontinuation and understand the mechanics involved during gentle and relapse-free recovery. Start with the basics. Upgrade the diet. Improve sleep. Eliminate negative food choices and any recreational use of drugs and alcohol. Test for nutritional deficiencies and correct them. Get your body moving. Have fun with hobbies and learn some new skills or hone some you may have abandoned. Do volunteer work — it can be highly therapeutic! Stop watching the news. Detox (prune) your social contacts and improve the relationships that you treasure.60 There is so much potential joy in life and so many ways for you to re-discover your love and passion. The following are evidence-based items that can be discussed with your physician or caregiver that may help speed up your journey back to vibrant wellness and energy. More information is given on each point below this short summary.

Natural Drug-Free Alternatives for Lexapro Include:
  • Meditation (equivalency to Lexapro study released in 202455)
  • Cleansing the body of neurotoxins
  • Microbiome support 41,59
  • Herbal supplements 29-32
  • Omega-3 fatty acids 16
  • Amino acids 51,61,62
  • Vitamins and minerals 8,32-35
  • Testing for thyroid, hormonal imbalances and allergies 24,25,27,33,39
  • Exercise 34,37,53
  • Sunlight exposure 36,38,58
  • Improve the diet 5,8,9,35
  • Counseling 13-15
Little, if any consideration is given to the superior efficacy of many natural Lexapro alternatives. Antidepressants such as Lexapro, are commonly administered prior to any substantial medical or lifestyle interventions.

There are many possible causes of depression. These may include impaired hormonal states, deficiency of vitamin D or other essential nutrients, substandard diet, neurochemistry dysfunction, lack of sleep, and failed life aspirations. No drug on earth could fix these issues.



drug-free lexapro alternatives
Did they expect you to dig yourself out without the proper tools?
Alternative to Meds has focused on antidepressant alternatives for mental health for over 17 years. Our published evidence demonstrates up to 87.5% success rate in clients that we have treated at our lovely retreat-style center. This means that over the long term, clients feel better than they did while medicated, suffering fewer symptoms, and continue to do so long after their program has been completed.
This video is offered here to give you hope for your situation. We take on some truly dire cases. This woman was barely able to walk and was unable to function professionally. She put her trust in us to help get her off of antidepressants and benzodiazepines even though it looked impossible for her to gain her life back. She was rewarded by becoming medication-free, regained her ability to walk, and as a bonus, went back to work as a very potent therapist.
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Drug-Free Therapies that Work – More to discover!

Meditation

Exciting new research published in the Aug 2024 Journal of Affective Disorders did a head-to-head study on participants with a diagnosis of anxiety. The study compared results over 24 weeks on participants taking Lexapro (escitalopram) and a second group who received training in meditation (mindfulness based stress reduction) and determined equivalent positive results measured in terms of absenteeism due to mental health concerns. In fact, the meditation group’s job performance actually increased compared to the escitalopram group’s work performance which did not. Here we find that this drug-free alternative to Lexapro was therapeutically more effective.55

As far back as 2009, at least 22 earlier studies also determined that mindfulness-based meditation practice showed a wide variety of improvements and reduction of ruminative thinking in treating chronic depression, anxiety, pain relief, binge eating and stress.20,37,56

Cleansing

Over a lifetime of exposure to chemicals in food, water, and air, the body can become a toxic wasteland. This can be remedied, and cleansing the body has been shown as highly therapeutic in relieving symptoms that are commonly associated with exposure to toxins. Alternative to Meds Center offers clients a number of methods for deep and thorough neurotoxin removal.42

The gut microbiome has found a significant place in mental health research, as the benefits become more widely known and talked about. Just as the air, the oceans, and the soil on our planet all thrive (or do not thrive) because of the health of their own microbiomes, a healthy body and functioning neurochemistry survives in similar fashion. The microbiome of any system has a dual role: it strengthens the immune system, and it protects the organism from disease.

The microbiome of the human body is an immensely complex system of microbiota which all work together to facilitate the production of energy and regenerative strength. But gut microbiome support can be as effective as it is simple. Improvements can come through adding yogurt, sauerkraut, supplemental probiotics or other sources of good bacteria to the daily diet. A healthy microbiome assists in every aspect of human health, and is absolutely essential for mental and physical wellness. Support for a healthy gut is an essential and important, yet simple drug-free alternative to Lexapro.41,59

Herbal Remedies

In clinical trials, St John’s Wort and Kava have been found better than placebo and equally good as antidepressants for mild to moderate depression, anxiety, and insomnia, without cardiac or other reactions associated with pharmaceuticals.16,44

Valerian is another herbal remedy that has shown significant efficacy for depression as well as lessened insomnia and anxiety symptoms.30

A note of caution here:  these plant extracts may help prevent depression and avoid beginning psychiatric medication, but herb-drug interactions are under-studied, and taking herbals simultaneously with pharmaceutical drugs is not generally recommended as interactions can be unpredictable. Always confer with your medical care team for best practices.

Other herbal products such as Passiflora, Piper methysticum, and Ginkgo biloba, have shown efficacy for depression, anxiety, and insomnia, but trials are limited — though promising. Some herbal remedies in moderation may be useful to gradually transition away from medication, but caution is advised since serotonin upregulation and other synergistic effects may occur if overused, and the process of coming off a drug should always be carefully monitored within a framework of competent medical oversight to avoid such interactions.16,43,44,47

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids can be added to the diet through foods rich in this nutrient (salmon, mackerel, walnuts, flax seeds, eggs from flax-fed chickens) and supplements that are easily obtained at health food stores. Studies showed that a daily dose of 1.5-2g of EPA contained in Omega-3 supplements proved highly efficient drug-free Lexapro alternative because is was shown effective at raising depressed mood.16,48,54

Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks for the proteins that make up the body. Some are created by the body, and some have to come from foods or supplements that are all important for both physical and mental health. Amino acids are  vital elements that allow natural production and distribution of  proteins which are themselves building blocks for our neurotransmitter signalling and other essential functions within the body.

There are 20 in all.  To ensure your body has what it needs for optimum functionality, a clean and nutrient dense diet is necessary. Choose fruits and vegetables, raw and organic where possible, including squash, spinach, peas, beans, root vegetables, bananas, oranges, pumpkin, apples, leafy greens, turkey, chicken and other animal-sourced foods for a rich and vibrant diet full of raw materials for a healthy and robust neurotransmitter system. Amino acids can also be procured in supplements such as 5-HTP, and others. Alternative to Meds Center provides IV micronutrient therapy for clients. 15,54

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is an amino acid-based supplement, that acts as a precursor to serotonin. As such, it may help with depressive or other symptoms caused by low or exhausted levels of transmitters such as serotonin. No drug can make neurochemicals. But dietary supplements and good food sources CAN. 29, 31,40,46,49,61,62      

*Studies such as those from Kofler et al. have shown evidence that amino acids play an important role in both treating and preventing depression. 3

Another drug-free Lexapro alternative to consider is SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) available in supplement form, is a substance produced naturally in the body from the amino acid methionine that can help with depression. Food sources of methionine include meat, meat products, milk, and milk products.16,50-52

Vitamins and Minerals

Test for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, for example, vitamin D, B vitamins including B6, magnesium, and others. These are highly effective drug-free alternatives to Lexapro that can be therapeutic for depression and other important biomarkers in persons with psychiatric symptoms. Research studies by Lakhan et al showed that 125-300mg of magnesium with each meal and again at bedtime relieved major depressive symptoms within 7 days. Folic acid or folate (.8mg daily) and B12 (.4mg daily) showed excellent relief from depression where these were deficient in patients.32,33,35,45-54,57

Testing for Hormonal Imbalances and Food Allergies

Testing can reveal dysfunctional thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, hypothalamus, or other hormonal issues that might be addressed through diet, nutrition, or other holistic treatments.7,25,33

Food allergies can induce symptoms such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, inflammation, and mood dysfunction. Lab testing can effectively determine if such factors are at play.24,39

Exercise

Exercise even of a mild nature can have life-changing positive effects on mood, energy, sleep, and overall well-being. Sports, Tai Chi, Qigong, walking, swimming, and bicycling, are all excellent and dependable options to consider for improved mental and physical health.34,53

Forest bathing (walking in treed areas) and mindfulness — studies show a significant positive correlation with physiological and psychological well-being that is long-lasting and without harmful effects.37

There are many more examples of how exercise, which is basically free and easily accessed by the vast majority of the population, can provide significant benefits as a drug-free alternative to Lexapro.

Sunlight Exposure, Light Therapy

Another easily accessed and drug-free alternative to Lexapro is exposure to sunlight. Perhaps somewhat ironically, the benefits have been found to be somewhat dose-related. More sunlight can mean brighter cognitive function and mood. Get out and SHINE! 36

In darker or winter climates, when the sun is not shining very long or at all, light therapy has been found to be an excellent boost for mood. A gigantic meta-analysis of numerous studies showed definite improvements for those suffering with seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression associated with fall and winter periods, where exposure to sunlight was reduced or unattainable.58

Improve the Diet

Sometimes it its the simplest things that get overlooked, especially when one is in the middle of a mental health crisis. The importance of diet in relation to both physical and mental cannot really be overstated. There is an ocean of research that shows the direct link between mental wellness and a good, clean diet. A simple revamping the diet to omit fast foods, cakes, sweets, artificial sweeteners, and processed foods. Instead, include fish, chicken, fresh fruits, and vegetables, since this change showed a whopping 41% decrease in depression in research studies.5,8,9,35,38,45-52,54,57,60

If you are looking for a drug-free alternative to drugs like Lexapro, the diet could be the superpower move that you’ve been overlooking.

Counseling

Research has shown that CBT and other forms of counseling can be as effective as medication, with results that are longer-lasting, without adverse effects, and less subject to relapse.13-15

Find a more detailed description below, covering types of types of psychotherapy that can play a pivotal role as an alternative to Lexapro or other medications for better mental health outcomes.

Other Therapies as Alternatives to Lexapro

ATMC features many other treatments such as acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and yoga, shown in studies to alleviate depressive symptoms and improve overall mood. Equine therapy is another popular choice offered to our clients at ATMC.

Nebulized glutathione treatments and art therapy are also highly popular options for our clients. You can read more about services offered on our services overview pages. Please continue reading about these and other drug free alternatives to Lexapro that are discussed in more detail below. .4,17-21,55,56,60

How & Why Drug-Free Lexapro Alternatives Can Help

lexapro depression alternativesLexapro is classed as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and is prescribed to treat depression (major depression or clinical depression) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).10 Natural Lexapro alternatives are often sought after when drug adverse effects become too bothersome or if the medication is not adequately controlling the symptoms it is being used to treat.11 Among the alternatives to Lexapro are many therapies and alternative treatments. Other medications may be recommended as traditional Lexapro antidepressant alternatives whether antidepressants or antipsychotic medications but substitute drugs are very likely to cause any or all of the same problems as Lexapro.12

Natural (non-drug-based) Lexapro alternative treatments do not bring on the same adverse reactions, withdrawal symptoms, nor are they habit-forming. Effective relief can be found for many people without having to resort to pharmaceutical drugs.9,27,28

Psychotherapy as a Drug-Free Lexapro Alternative

Counseling, psychotherapy, talk therapy as lexapro alternativesCounseling, psychotherapy, talk therapy, life coaching, and other forms of therapy greatly help people with depression or GAD who are seeking natural Lexapro alternatives.13 Talk therapy can be all that it takes to alleviate depression for some people, especially early treatment of mild to moderate depression. Various forms of psychotherapy including short-term therapy (10-20 weeks) allow patients to gain insight and resolve their depression through a verbal exchange. The therapist will often assign homework to work on between sessions. Behavioral therapists focus on helping patients to learn how they can obtain more satisfaction from their own actions and how they can unlearn behavioral patterns that are contributing to or resulting from their depression.

Several different types of therapy have proven to be effective in confronting and overcoming severe depressive and anxious symptoms as antidepressant alternatives. Out of all the different therapies, cognitive-behavioral therapy,13 interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy14 have been found effective and helpful. Each type of these therapies focuses on addressing different expressions of depressive problems. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is aimed at helping the patient to develop skills and coping mechanisms, as well as become aware of and rid of destructive and negative thoughts and behavior patterns. Interpersonal therapy focuses on maintaining healthy relationships and establishing a system of support. Psychodynamic therapy looks at the real underlying cause(s) of anxiety or depression, such as traumatizing events, repressed emotions, or social problems.

acupuncture lexapro alternativeTherapeutic Interventions

Acupuncture is another alternative treatment that has been shown to be effective for depression.4 Medical acupuncture can help relieve pain, both physically17 and emotionally.18 Acupuncture treatment could be helpful to relieve stress, tension, and depression.

Massage therapy is not only drug-free, it has been proven to successfully reduce stress, tension, and depression — and you don’t need to wait 4-6 weeks and endure unwanted drug side effects for it to get results.10-12,19

Meditation and practicing mindfulness can be practiced almost anywhere, anytime. These excellent drug-free Lexapro alternatives can provide relief for depression and other symptoms.20,37,55,56

Yoga is another strategic practice that can provide much in the way of both physical and mental health benefits. 21

While the number of prescriptions written continues to rise, we also see a rise in the lack of results. Prescription drug overuse may actually worsen psychiatric symptoms.22 At Alternative to Meds Center, we believe that holistic and psychotherapeutic interventions are poised to resolve what is causing the symptoms. These effective alternatives to Lexapro can allow constant growth and progress toward natural mental health for life.

Uncovering the Causes of Depression

uncovering depression causesIndividuals are often given Lexapro and other antidepressants prior to any investigation into why they are suffering from depression.6 The low-serotonin theory has limited diagnostic value and has never been substantiated, according to research published in the Journal of World Psychiatry.23 There are many other factors contributing to depression that could have been checked, and probably were not investigated. What about looking for environmental neurotoxins that destroy energy metabolism? 5 What about food allergies in which internal swelling and inflammation may cause a slow metabolism? 24 Were these tested? Thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, and other hormonal issues may also be well worth investigating.25 And so on. Even in the common instance of an individual not ever being low serotonin in the first place, the medication itself can cause dysregulation (lowered serotonin levels) to develop. More information on serotonin dysregulation and the overuse of SSRI drugs can be found below.23,26

Neurochemistry Dysregulation — Find the Root Cause

The theories surrounding natural neurochemicals such as serotonin and the proposed effects of SSRI drugs have come under scrutiny and remain unclear. Lexapro is an SSRI. Drug regulators tell us that SSRI medications are designed to block the reuptake of serotonin. However, serotonin is supposed to be recycled, so it can be used again by the nerve cells. While suspended, these molecules become subject to degradation and ultimately will be lost as waste material. Clinical research has found that when serotonin molecules remain trapped in the synapse, (the effects of SSRI medication) the flanking receptors may become less sensitive. These types of dysregulation outcomes cannot be fixed by taking more of the drug. However, drug-free Lexapro alternatives, discussed in this article, can help restore functions that the drugs themselves may have exhausted.

Overall, the best way forward is to discover the root cause(s) for mood and other unwanted symptoms. Lab testing for important health markers is instrumental in finding the root causes for many symptoms that drug therapy alone was not able to resolve. Finding the root cause is a logical way to discover the most effective approach to solving the problem.26

Integrative Drug-Free Lexapro Alternatives — A New Approach to Recovery

lexapro alternatives treatment Sedona drug rehabWhen a person stops taking Lexapro they may encounter Lexapro withdrawal and may suffer symptoms of anxiousness, worsened depression, sleeplessness, brain zaps, overstimulation, or even Tourette’s-like and OCD symptoms.28 The body may be struggling while trying to readapt after drug-induced neuroplastic changes, as described above.27 With proper support, including before and after drug cessation, these outcomes can be softened and made more tolerable and comfortable.

Treatment at Alternative to Meds Center aims to discover any medical reasons why an individual may be depressed. Our rehab program is designed around lab testing, stabilization of neurochemistry through corrected diet, and the use of natural substances and supplements that actually help create serotonin,29 medically supervised cessation techniques, and a wide range of adjunctive treatments such as nebulized glutathione and IV therapy, yoga, massage, equine therapy, peer support, personal counseling, elimination of environmentally accumulated toxins, healthy microbiome support through cleansing, and many other natural therapies for effectively combating depression. Please take time to review the amazing roster of treatments available at the center on our services overview page.

We invite you to give us a call and we can help you gain a deeper understanding of the comprehensive array of resources for drug-free Lexapro alternatives that are the backbone of our programs, aimed toward needed relief from symptoms, and regaining natural mental health.

1 (800) 301-3753 for Drug-Free Lexapro Alternatives Help

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Originally Published Nov 5, 2019 by Lyle Murphy


This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.

Dr. Samuel Lee

Dr. Samuel Lee is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative approaches. He graduated with an MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did a residency in psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital. In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente.  He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology and has a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Religion from Pacific Union College. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

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