Soma for anxiety can help by inducing a sedative and calming effect. Meprobamate, the metabolite of Carisoprodol, was an anxiety treatment before being classified as a Schedule IV drug. It works by targeting the central nervous system. However, Soma is not prescribed for anxiety.
Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant for treating acute skeletomuscular discomfort. So, why are we discussing "Soma for anxiety"?
Soma, the brand medicine for Carisoprodol, is a muscle relaxant that treats short-term acute pain. While it is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating anxiety, studies suggest the beneficial effect of Carisoprodol in managing signs of anxiety. However, improper use of the muscle relaxer can result in abuse and dependency.
This blog explores the use of Soma for anxiety while evaluating its health risks.
Does Soma Help With Anxiety- An Overview
A case study published in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology journal suggests that Meprobamate, the primary metabolite of Carisoprodol, was commonly used for treating anxiety until it was classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance [1].
In a similar study involving patients with symptoms of anxiety, mild depression, and tension, treatment with Meprobamate showed a significant improvement compared to the other medication administered [2].
However, other studies contradict the effectiveness of the Soma pill for treating anxiety. A clinical trial suggests that using the muscle relaxer improves symptoms of tension in a few individuals. However, a few others suffered from depression during the trial [3].
So, while studies suggest using Carisoprodol or Soma pills for treating anxiety, their effectiveness may vary depending on the individual.
Soma For Anxiety: How Does It Work?
The therapeutic effect of Carisoprodol on treating anxiety is attributed to the following pharmacological factors-
The Effect Of Carisoprodol On The Gaba Neurotransmitter
The use of Carisoprodol or Soma for anxiety is clinically proven to be an effective solution due to the structural similarities of Meprobamate and Carisoprodol on the GABA receptor of the brain.
Carisoprodol increases the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitters in the brain. GABA helps produce a calming effect and controls signs of stress, anxiety, and fear [4].
Carisoprodol Mimicing The Mechanism Of Benzodiazepines
Carisoprodol further mimics the mechanism of benzodiazepines (commonly used to treat anxiety and stress). Therefore, using the Soma pill at a low to moderate dosage is clinically effective in reducing the signs of anxiety in addition to its muscle-relaxing properties [5].
Benefits Of Carisoprodol For Anxiety
Apart from the medical use of Soma pills for acute pain, let us look at how Soma pills can benefit patients with anxiety.
Decrease in muscle tension -
Muscle tension or tightness is often seen in people with anxiety [6]. Carisoprodol helps relax the muscles by inhibiting the interneuronal activity in the central nervous system.
Sedative and Relaxing Effect -
The administration of Carisoprodol can result in sedation by targeting the central nervous system and may be beneficial for people with anxiety. It helps relax and calm the mind, thus improving the sign of anxiety.
Improved sleep -
Anxiety is commonly seen to be connected with sleep disorders. Lack of sleep may affect the mental health and mood of the person [7]. Thus, using the Soma pill can be beneficial for anxiety as the use of Carisoprodol is known to induce sleep [8].
Is Soma Prescribed For Anxiety?
No, the Soma pill is not the first line of treatment for anxiety and, thus, is not prescribed by doctors. It is important to consult a doctor to determine if Carisoprodol is an appropriate treatment for your anxiety.
Prescription Use Of Carisoprodol
Carisoprodol is approved for treating short-term acute body pain. Such pain can result from multiple causes, making everyday activities challenging. Carisoprodol dosage works within 30 minutes and is an advanced lower back pain treatment.
Soma muscle relaxers can be helpful for people in treating muscle spasms, sprains, injuries, posture issues, post-operative discomforts, etc. The use of muscle relaxers for headaches is also gaining popularity at present.
Is Taking Soma For Anxiety Safe?
Even though scientific evidence sketches the efficacy of the Soma pill for treating signs of anxiety, however, there are a few factors contradicting this claim.
A phase IV clinical trial on 14,943 people indicates that anxiety and stress are common in people who take the Soma pill for an extended period. It is especially prevalent in females aged 40 to 49 [9].
A clinical study conducted on prisoners in Norway taking 700 to 2100 mg of Carisoprodol per day for nine months suffered from withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety as a primary concern [10].
The same report highlights another case of Carisoprodol withdrawal in a 43-year-old man taking a dose of Soma 350mg or higher daily. Within 48 hours of cessation, he developed signs of anxiety along with other withdrawal signs.
Several other reports of clinicians documenting anxiety as a withdrawal sign in users are noted. Thus, the long-term use of the Soma pill is not advisable, and one must employ the “tapering-off” method before discontinuing the muscle relaxer.
The key factors to avoid anxiety issues from taking the Soma pill include-
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Not taking Muscle relaxers for anxiety for over three to four times a day
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Long-term use of the Soma pill (continuous use of more than three weeks).
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Avoid mixing Soma with alcohol or other medications and treatments.
How To Take Soma Muscle Relaxer For Anxiety
Muscle relaxers for anxiety should be taken only under the supervision of a physician. While administering the medication, the following factors should be considered.
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Carisoprodol or Soma pill is an oral pill and should be swallowed.
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Breaking and crushing the pill is not recommended.
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Soma pills can be taken three to four times daily.
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Avoid using other medication and alcohol while taking the muscle relaxer.
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Long-term use (over three weeks) is not recommended.
User’s Option On Taking Carisoprodol For Anxiety
User options on the use of soma for anxiety can help us outline two basic factors on the non-prescription use of the muscle relaxer-
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Soma pills can help manage the signs of anxiety. Users taking the muscle relaxer have experienced beneficial effects in improving restlessness, nervousness, and racing heartbeat and mind.
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The drawback of using Carisoprodol for anxiety is that its effect does not last for too long, making it less effective for people with chronic anxiety issues.
Alternatives To Soma For Treating Anxiety
Although using Soma for anxiety symptoms shows a promising result, it is not a prescription anxiolytic. So, here are a few alternatives to Carisoprodol-
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
SNRIs help ease moderate to severe signs of depression. They should, however, be taken after consulting a doctor.
Ketamine (Eskatimine)
Ketamine may come in several forms, but the one approved by the FDA for depression is a nasal spray. It is often prescribed to adults who do not respond well to anti-depressants and have a major depressive disorder. These medications may take 4 to 8 weeks to show results and become fully effective.
Benzodiazepines -
They are a potential option for helping people stay calm in tense situations. They function by increasing inhibitory GABA neurotransmission in the brain. A comparative blog evaluating the effectiveness of Xanax and Soma pill for treating anxiety suggests the use of Xanax over Carisoprodol.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) -
This drug can work effectively against moderate to severe signs of depression. They are considered safe compared to the numerous other treatment options available today.
These classes of drugs show high potency in treating signs of anxiety and other mental health issues. However, consulting a doctor before self-medicating any of these medications is advised.
Musflex muscle relaxers are also investigated for their therapeutic benefits in treating the signs of anxiety in people. Musflex is an analgesic with Carisoprodol and Naproxen as its active compounds.
What Are Some Natural Remedies To Calm Anxiety?
One can treat anxiety in numerous ways. Along with conventional anxiety drugs, countless natural remedies improve the condition. You can take them alongside your anxiety drugs for better results. So, here are some simple but effective ways to manage signs of anxiety naturally -
Exercise-
Several pieces of research support the fact that exercising is one of the best ways to release your anxious feelings. A study in 2015 highlighted the positive effect of exercise in helping manage the signs of anxiety [4]. It also helps with anxiety associated with stressful events. Another study suggests exercising can benefit people with stress from quitting smoking [5].
Meditation-
Anxiety often causes overthinking. Thus, meditation can effectively slow down your racing thoughts. It is the key aspect of Cognitive behavioral therapy. Research reports from John Hopkins indicate that 30 minutes of meditation can act as an antidepressant and improve anxiety symptoms [6]. One can meditate and take Soma for anxiety to see better and faster results.
Aromatherapy-
A good and soothing smell can effectively ease stress and anxiety. However, not all scents work the same for everyone. Natural oil extracts can promote a healthy mind, spirit, and body. Some popular essential oils to relieve anxiety are lavender, grapefruit, bergamot, ylang-ylang, and clary sage.
Chamomile tea-
A hot cup of chamomile tea can do wonders for your unraveling nerves. A study in the year 2014 showed the potency of chamomile extracts in treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) [7]. Researchers state its close resemblance to a benzodiazepine. The intake of Soma for anxiety with Chamomile tea shows no negative impact on the person's health.
Does Soma Help Anxiety- Our Final Verdict
The sedative effect of the Soma pill plays a crucial role in improving the signs of anxiety. They further act on the Central Nervous System to induce a calming effect. However, using Carisoprodol for anxiety is an off-label benefit of the muscle relaxer, and the FDA does not approve its medical use.
People suffering from muscle tension associated with anxiety may benefit from taking the Soma pill. It should be taken only after consulting a doctor. Improper dosage and administration of Soma muscle relaxers can result in dependency.