Unweaving the Brain Chemistry of Anxiety Neurosis: Therapeutic Potential of Clitoria ternatea

Abstract

Anxiety neurosis, now referred to as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), is a psychological disorder that is a long-term health issue, which is characterized by excessive worry, nervous system overactivity, and physical changes such as muscle tension and difficulty falling asleep (1,7). This psychological disorder is known to affect people significantly, especially since it usually presents together with other conditions such as depression, heart conditions, and so forth. In terms of how it affects the human brain, it is considered to be caused by factors such as GABA signaling, imbalances in serotonin and norepinephrine, overactivity of the HPA axis, which constantly pumps cortisol into the system, and oxidative stress caused by factors such as ROS, as well as inflammation caused by factors such as TNF-α and IL-6. The treatments for this disorder, which include benzodiazepines and SSRIs, have their disadvantages, which include drowsiness, lack of clarity, risk of addiction, slowness, and lack of solving the problem completely, among others (3,16). Clitoria ternatea L., which is commonly known as butterfly pea, is an Ayurvedic drug known as “Medhya Rasayana” that has been used for ages to improve brain functions and deal with stress-related conditions. This is because it contains flavonoids and anthocyanins, which have been shown to have promise in initial tests to deal with anxiety, oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuroprotection, among other conditions, and is effective in balancing chemicals, reducing oxidative stress, and calming the HPA axis, which makes it potentially effective in dealing with GAD from multiple angles.

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