Passiflora incarnata
GABA-modulating vine that rivals benzodiazepines for generalized anxiety in trials — with fewer side effects and no dependence risk.
Passionflower is a climbing vine with beautiful flowers that has been used traditionally for anxiety and sleep. Research suggests it works through GABA modulation and may be as effective as some benzodiazepines for anxiety, but with fewer side effects. Often used for generalized anxiety and sleep difficulties.
Increases GABA activity for calming effects
May mildly inhibit monoamine oxidase
How Passionflower works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
250-500mg extract (or 2g dried herb)
Can be taken without food
| Form | Type |
|---|---|
| 💊Standardized extract capsules | Recommended |
| 🍵Tea | Alternative |
| 💧Tincture | Alternative |
| 💊Dried herb | Alternative |
Tea is traditional and effective for sleep. Extracts are more potent and consistent.
Minimum: 1 weeks
Optimal: 4 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: Can be taken with or without food. Tea form works well before bed.
Significant reduction in anxiety symptoms
Better sleep quality and duration
May cause sleepiness during day
Avoid — may stimulate uterine contractions
Limited data; not recommended
Additive sedative effects
Potential interaction due to weak MAOI activity
May have mild anticoagulant effects — may affect platelet aggregation or vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, altering anticoagulant efficacy
Tip: Avoid driving; take before bed
Tip: Reduce dose
Tip: Take with food
Top studies from 36+ peer-reviewed papers
Bruni O et al. • Nutrients (2021)
“Currently available evidence suggests that herbal extracts may exert some of their hypnotic and anxiolytic activity through interacting with GABA receptors and modulating GABAergic signaling in the brain, but their mechanism of action in the treatment of insomnia is not completely understood.”
Janda K et al. • Nutrients (2020)
“Passiflora incarnata may be helpful in treating some symptoms in neuropsychiatric patients.”
Yeung KS et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018)
“However, well-designed larger clinical trials are needed before these herbs can be recommended and to further assess their psycho-oncologic relevance.”
Sarris J • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018)
“Aside from this, future focus should involve the incorporation of more biomarker analysis, in particular pharmacogenomics, to determine genetic factors moderating response to herbal medicines.”
Savage K et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018)
“Collectively, the literature reveals preclinical and clinical evidence for various phytomedicines modulating GABA-pathways, with comparative anxiolytic effect to the current array of pharmaceuticals, along with good safety and tolerability profiles.”
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