Once a topic reserved for neuroscience textbooks, nervous system support is now all over our social feeds. Scroll through Instagram or TikTok and you’ll see terms like “nervous system regulation,” “dysregulation,” and even recommendations for nervous system support supplements.
But this surge in nervous system talk isn’t just a throwaway trend—it’s a reflection of how maxed out so many of us feel mentally, emotionally, and physiologically. In fact, the American Psychological Association reports that more than one third of adults say they’ve been so stressed they can’t function.
So, where do nervous system support supplements come in? Can they help where your go-to stress relief tools (looking at you, lavender diffuser) fall short? Experts say: possibly.
Here’s what to know about nervous system dysregulation—and how the right nutrients may help bring you back to center.
- ABOUT OUR EXPERTS: Jessica Maguire, M.P.T., is a physiotherapist, nervous system health expert, and author of The Nervous System Reset. Christine Simons D.N.P., N.P.-C., is a functional medicine nurse practitioner and owner of Vital Journey Wellness. Michelle Slowey M.A., R.D.N., C.D.C.E.S., is a resident nutritionist at Luvly.
What Is The Nervous System, Exactly?
The nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and a vast network of nerves, all working together to control nearly every function in your body, says physiotherapist and nervous system health expert Jessica Maguire, M.P.T., author of The Nervous System Reset. That includes regulating your heart rate, breathing, movement, digestion, and more.
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Think about it like this: “If the whole body is performing a symphony moment to moment, the nervous system is the conductor that allows the many different systems to come together to play one harmonious and cohesive piece,” says functional medicine nurse practitioner Christine Simons D.N.P., N.P.-C., owner of Vital Journey Wellness. “The conductor doesn’t necessarily matter more than the rest of the instruments, but we do need it to bring all of the various pieces together,” she says.
Functioning vs. Fried Nervous Systems
When your nervous system is functioning well, you feel like yourself, says Maguire. “You’ll wake up feeling rested and mentally sharp, your mood and energy will feel stable throughout the day, your memory will be clear, and you’ll be able to handle stress without feeling completely overwhelmed,” she says. Sure, a traffic jam may be annoying for everyone, but for someone with a regulated nervous system, it’s not enough to send them into a spiral.
But when your nervous system is fried—usually from too much stress and not enough recovery—your mindset, mood, and physical health can start to suffer, says Maguire.
One of the earliest signs? Brain fog. “People often feel like their thoughts are coming slowly or sluggishly, or that they can’t find the right words. You may notice increased forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, or mental fatigue even after simple tasks,” she says.
Physically, you might experience more frequent headaches, dizziness, muscle tension, changes in appetite, digestive issues, and a higher likelihood of getting sick—signs that your immune system may not be functioning optimally, Maguire adds.
Sleep disturbances are also common, including trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both, according to Simons. “It’s also common for individuals to feel tired all day but then wired at night.”
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A fried nervous system also takes a toll emotionally, as feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, irritability, and general lowness are all common, according to Maguire. “You might even feel like your stress response is out of proportion to the stressors, or notice that your heart is racing over even the smallest issues,” she says.
How To Support Your Nervous System
The nervous system needs consistent, quality sleep, regular movement, stress management, nutrient-dense food, and meaningful social connection to function at its best, explains Maguire. Each of these habits ensures that the body—and by proxy, your nervous system—has the hormone balance, nutrients, and rest it needs to recover from daily stress.
That means supporting your nervous system starts with the basics: improving your sleep hygiene, carving out time for rest, moving your body regularly (even with low-intensity workouts), and fueling up with whole, nourishing foods.
But building better habits isn’t enough—you also need to cut back on the ones that may be doing harm. “Drinking alcohol, smoking, and chronic exposure to heavy metals and pesticides can directly damage the nervous system,” says Simons. “Simply reducing or removing these triggers can help shift someone away from suboptimal function,” she explains.
Depending on the substance and your level of dependence, this might look like quitting smoking with the help of nicotine patches, reducing alcohol intake, or choosing organic foods when possible to minimize toxin exposure, according to Simons.
Read More: How To Support Your Body’s Natural Detoxification Process
How Nervous System Support Supplements Can Help
Nervous system support supplements are a growing category of wellness products formulated to support nervous system health. The exact formula varies product to product, but typically they contain one or more ingredients that have been shown to support nerve and brain health, says registered dietitian nutritionist, Michelle Slowey M.A., R.D.N., C.D.C.E.S., resident nutritionist at Luvly.
B vitamins are among the most common ingredients in these formulas—especially B12 and B9 (folate)—because they play a key role in neurotransmitter production and overall nervous system function, explains Maguire. B12 and B9 (folate) help create the protective sheath around nerve fibers, for example, while the brain relies on these vitamins to produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA (a neurotransmitter that promotes calmness). “Low levels of these B vitamins may affect nerve signaling and have been associated with symptoms like brain fog, mood changes, and cognitive difficulty,” she says. So, taking supplements like B12 lozenges and capsules may help support overall nerve health when dietary intake is lacking.
According to Slowey and Maguire, other nervous system supplement ingredients may include:
- Omega-3 fatty acids for brain function and memory
- Magnesium to calm the nervous system and improve sleep
- Vitamin D for mood and cognitive health
- Choline to support brain function
- L-theanine for focus and relaxation
- Adaptogens like ashwagandha or rhodiola to regulate stress
“These ingredients all work at different levels; some provide the building blocks for neurotransmitter production, others support healthy nerve function, and others help regulate the stress response systems that can throw your entire nervous system out of balance,” says Maguire.
The reason why nervous system support supplements often combine multiple ingredients—and why nervous system experts suggest taking multiple single-ingredients options—is that the combination allows them to address common signs of nervous system stress and support foundational wellness, she says. “This creates a more comprehensive approach to nervous system support than any single ingredient could provide alone,” she says.
Read More: Top Tips For Easing Stress From A Neurologist And Herbologist
Still, supplements are most effective when paired with healthy lifestyle habits, Maguire adds. “If you’re constantly sleep-deprived, eating poorly, chronically stressed, or not moving your body, no supplement will be enough to create lasting change,” she says.
When To See A Doctor
Nervous system supplements may play a supportive role in helping you feel more balanced and resilient, especially when combined with healthy habits. But they’re not meant to replace medical care or serve as a cure-all. If you’re experiencing sudden changes in cognition, severe mood swings, ongoing headaches, vision issues, or neurological symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness, seek medical attention. These could be signs of an underlying condition that needs proper diagnosis and treatment.
If your provider agrees that supplementation makes sense, they can help identify the right products based on your symptoms, nutrition, and any deficiencies revealed through lab work. And because nervous system supplements are meant to complement—not replace—other aspects of health, your provider may also recommend lifestyle upgrades, like sleep, stress management, and movement.