Lexapro alternatives (escitalopram) can provide benefits for many that are superior to drug-based treatment. Yet Lexapro remains one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants on the market. This may be due to marketing skills rather than any proven benefit profile.1
Below you’ll find some of the most researched and documented SSRI alternatives and related clinical research for a deeper understanding of how and why they work. But please remember that abruptly coming off an SSRI like Lexapro is not the best way to go. We hope the information provided will help you in developing the best way forward for your health goals.
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Since the introduction of SSRIs, holistic treatments for symptoms like depression, anxiety, and insomnia have been overshadowed by drug-based protocols. Clinical research on safer alternatives to SSRIs has not been widely promoted during the last few decades, but more recently, such research has been steadily growing, clearly documenting superior efficacy. One of the main drawbacks of using Lexapro is the risk of Lexapro side effects, addiction and dependence. Safe Lexapro titration is something that should be done with professional medical assistance. There are many safer methods to reduce or eliminate symptoms that don’t involve these negative characteristics that often accompany drug use. Some of these are listed below the list, followed by expanded information on each point.
Drug-free alternatives to Lexapro can include:
Upgrade the diet
Supplements
Support a healthy microbiome
Improve sleep hygiene
Test for and cleanse toxins from the body
Psychological counseling
Therapies for relaxation, stress relief
Physical exercise
Upgrade the Diet — Impacts of Food on Mood
The importance of a well-structured, clean diet cannot really be overstated. In modern life, we often lean toward fast foods, processed foods, and other poor choices that cannot support the workings of a healthy body. Symptoms that arise can become the reason one seeks a prescription for an SSRI — a mood booster, or for anxiety relief, or to help with sleep issues. But a very logical and practical alternative to Lexapro or other drug begins with diet upgrades. Orthomolecular meal planning is a tool that ensures the essential biophysical requirements of the human body are met. Foods that are overly processed with chemicals and flavor enhancers may taste great and make one feel “full,” but they also create dysfunction. A breakfast of frooty-loops will not supply the fuel that runs the intricate workings of the central nervous system, not to mention cardiac health, the immune system, blood-glucose levels, and other key operating systems in the body. The human body is an amazing factory that produces energy, and allows free cell-to-cell molecular transports, that are the bedrock of mental and physical wellness. But this factory cannot operate if it is not supplied with the right raw materials. That will produce symptoms, just as sure as if you try to run your car on coca-cola or donuts.
Researchers published in the 2020 editions of the British Medical Journal2 and the Nutrients Journal 5 advise that for optimum mental and physical functioning, one should consider the Mediterranean diet as a helpful guideline to follow. Mood and food are intimately related, they report. For example, low fat diets produce low mood. This means choose foods that are as unprocessed as possible, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, clean sources of protein and fats, and avoid sugars, toxic preservatives, and chemical additives.
Supplements to Support Mental Wellness
Macronutrients are often not available or adequate in our food, and we can become deficient in these. Thus, there are benefits that can be obtained from taking dietary supplements that play important roles in human health.4 These essential elements of nutrition are effective alternatives to Lexapro, even though they are frequently overlooked at the doctor’s office. These can also assist with problems that arise during Lexapro withdrawal with medical oversight.
Examples of macronutrients & supplements that can help support mental wellness include:
Omega-3 fatty acids4 (support neuronal function, prevention or relief of depression, dementia, support for cardiac health)
St. John’s wort4,16 (Please note that St Joh’s Wort is serotogenic, so should be not be takenwhile taking SSRI medicationto avoid overactivation of serotonin. However, used properly, i.e. taken alone, or as an aid in medically supervised Lexapro withdrawal, clinical studies found it equal to antidepressant efficacy, with less adverse effects.)
L-tryptophan7 (amino acid that reduces anxiety, depression, supports cerebral function and neurotransmission)
SAMe8,17 (Please note similar cautions to St. John’s Wort as it is serotogenic, so should not be taken if SSRI medication is also taken. Taken alone, has comparative or greater efficacy to SSRI antidepressants in treating major depression. SAMe may serve to ease SSRI withdrawal with medical oversight.)
Microbiome Transformation — A Healthier Alternative to Lexapro
Your natural “pharmacy” resides mainly in the gut. The digestive system is the means by which food is converted to usable energy, and the microbiome is the part that breaks down raw materials to produce natural chemicals called neurotransmitters. These are then transported throughout the body for thousands of important functions. The gut-brain axis refers to the relationship that exists between the gut and the brain. In simple terms, supporting the gut supports brain function. However, you would also be assisting the immune system, cardiac health, hormone availability and balance, mood regulation, memory, cellular repair, and so much more.
So how do you transform a dysfunctional gut into a powerhouse? Diet is key, including a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, clean protein, and fats. Additionally, fermented foods taken daily can boost efficiency of the workings of the microbiome. Yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchee, apple cider vinegar, and pickles are all good choices especially in unsweetened form. Avoid the things that let bad bacteria thrive on, such as over consumption of alcohol, artificial sweeteners, chemical and preservative laden processed foods, and antibiotics. If you cannot avoid these then probiotics from foods (as mentioned above) or in supplemental form are a good counter-balance strategy.9-11
Improve Sleep Without Drugs
Good quality, adequate & restful sleep is a primary benefactor of overall health. And the opposite is also true. Are you surprised to know that insomnia is the second most common mental health symptom? Sometimes a prescription of an SSRI like Lexapro is used “off-label” to treat insomnia and dysregulated sleep. But there are better SSRI alternatives that don’t come with the negative impacts like developing tolerance (when they stop working) and dependence, plus the side effects of Lexapro withdrawal, including rebound insomnia, when you stop taking them.
A more beneficial alternative to Lexapro for sleep issues might be found in plant-derived compounds that can safely induce sleep, without also entering into the side effects of psychotropic drugs. These and other interventions can include lavender and other essential oils, melatonin, valerian root, lemon balm, passionflower extract, CBT for sleep management, and light/noise blockage.12-15
The Importance of Neurotoxin Removal
We don’t want to treat the body like an ongoing toxic landfill. For many reasons, removing toxic accumulations from the body is a prerequisite for basic health requirements. These include adequate vitamin and mineral absorption, free cellular communication for oxygen transport, neurotransmitter distribution, regulation of blood glucose levels, and many other functions. All of these functions have their impacts on mental health and so are an important focus of recovery after drug use or for the analysis of why mental health symptoms persist, even despite medication intervention. You can read more about the methods used at Alternative to Meds Center for neutralizing and removing toxic elements from the body.
Drug-free Therapies for Stress Reduction and Relaxation
Comfort therapies, stress reduction, and relaxation therapies are another very broad-ranging and valuable resource at Alternative to Meds Center.
Some of the most popular drug-free therapies at Alternative to Meds Center include:
For More Information on Alternatives to Lexapro at Alternative to Meds Center
For More information on Lexapro alternatives used at the center please call or email us. We are here to help and can provide information on treatments for related issues such as Lexapro withdrawal, Lexapro addiction, or others so that you can consider your best options for regaining your natural mental health.
2. Firth J, Gangwisch JE, Borisini A, Wootton RE, Mayer EA. Food and mood: how do diet and nutrition affect mental wellbeing? BMJ. 2020 Jun 29;369:m2382. doi: 10.1136/bmj.m2382. Erratum in: BMJ. 2020 Nov 9;371:m4269. doi: 10.1136/bmj.m4269. PMID: 32601102; PMCID: PMC7322666. [cited 2025 Jan 22]
Originally Published January 22, 2025 by Diane Ridaeus
This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.
Dr. Samuel Lee
Dr. Samuel Lee is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative approaches. He graduated with an MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did a residency in psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital. In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente. He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology and has a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Religion from Pacific Union College. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself.
Diane is an avid supporter and researcher of natural mental health strategies. Diane received her medical writing and science communication certification through Stanford University and has published over 3 million words on the topics of holistic health, addiction, recovery, and alternative medicine. She has proudly worked with the Alternative to Meds Center since its inception and is grateful for the opportunity to help the founding members develop this world-class center that has helped so many thousands regain natural mental health.
Medical Disclaimer: Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.
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Upgrade the diet
Comfort therapies, stress reduction, and relaxation therapies are another very broad-ranging and valuable resource at Alternative to Meds Center.
