I've been using Sensoril (ashwagandha root extract) and Suntheanine (L-Theanine) to help manage the extreme benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms I have been experiencing. Hyperattentiveness, paranoia, fear, spikes of epinephrine at the slightest trigger - my resting heartrate is 50-54, but sometimes I would manage to literally think my way to 100+, then just as easily take steps to calm down due to those supplements. Some people use them specifically to help deal with anxiety. There is also L-Taurine, but it's usefulness is limited, as chronic administration can lead to a tolerance to its anxiolytic effects. It also must be taken on an empty stomach.

Personally I've found that while Ashwagandha and L-Theanine have some calming effects they don't force a change in mood like benzos do. I think they would be most useful for someone who wants to change how they respond to things. In that context one needs to be bothered, to feel some anxiety, and for this to be able to grow intense enough to be distressing, but at the same time have greater control like....extending the length of a lever. That's kind of what it's been like on these. I can still get worked up by things, but I'm also better able to monitor and mediate my responses.

Of course people vary in their response to substances so be sure to discuss using any of these with a pdoc. It's especially important to do this as supplements like these can interact with psychotropics. For example, ashwagandha has been observed to increase the effect of benzos and other substances which bind to GABA receptors, which could lead to potentially dangerous conditions if not taken into account.