Valerian, a herbal supplement long used for relaxation, has picked up a bold nickname online: "nature's Valium." A recent expert roundup put that comparison to the test, and the experts involved landed in genuinely different places. Here's what valerian actually is, where the science stands, and why even its biggest supporter says the Valium comparison doesn't hold up.
What valerian actually is
Valerian comes from the root of Valeriana officinalis, a flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. It has a long history of traditional use aimed at easing anxiety and stress and improving sleep, and has historically also been used for migraines, fatigue, and stomach cramps. The root is prepared as teas, tinctures, capsules, or tablets. The National Institutes of Health itself notes there is a relatively small amount of research investigating the herb's effects.
The case for valerian
Stefan Gafner, chief science officer of the American Botanical Council, pointed to a 2020 review in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine that found both powdered valerian root and root extracts showed a clear benefit for anxiety. He recommends valerian himself and uses it personally, describing it as well-documented for helping with sleep onset and generally well-tolerated, with some sources cautioning against driving or operating machinery while using it.
Why comparing it to Valium doesn't hold up, even to its supporters
Here is where it gets interesting: even the expert most in favour of valerian pushed back on the "nature's Valium" framing. Gafner noted "valerian is a much milder ingredient," suited to mild anxiety and sleep issues rather than a genuine substitute for a prescription sedative. Valium (diazepam) carries a real risk of dependence and is generally prescribed short-term, with a very different profile of potential side effects than an herbal supplement.
The more skeptical view
Dr. Joseph Mercola, a board-certified family medicine physician, went further, arguing the Valium comparison exaggerates what the science actually shows. He explained valerian contains compounds that appear to enhance GABA, a calming brain chemical, but noted that results across studies are mixed, some show modest improvements in sleep quality, others find no meaningful difference from placebo. Reported side effects include headaches, dizziness, digestive upset, and next-day grogginess. Mercola said he would not recommend valerian as a primary strategy for anxiety, stress, or sleep, citing limited long-term safety research and highly variable supplement quality.
What's recommended instead
Rather than reaching for an herbal sedative, Mercola pointed to addressing the underlying drivers of poor sleep directly: daytime sunlight exposure to regulate circadian rhythm, complete darkness at night to support natural hormone signals, and nutrients like magnesium, GABA, and glycine (around 3 grams roughly an hour before bed) to support the body's own sleep systems rather than relying on a single sedating herb.
Where GoCalm™ fits in
If supplement quality varies as widely as the experts describe, and side effects like grogginess and digestive upset are a genuine possibility even with a "milder" option like valerian, a non-ingestible approach is worth considering. GoCalm™ delivers a really subtle, continuous pulse to PC8, a palm pressure point used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, with nothing to swallow, no next-day grogginess, and no variability in quality from batch to batch.
No grogginess, no digestive side effects, no quality variability to worry about.
Valium vs valerian vs GoCalm™
| Valium (prescription) | Valerian (herbal) | GoCalm™ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dependence risk | Yes, documented | Not typically reported | No known dependence risk |
| Something to ingest | Yes | Yes | No |
| Reported side effects | Sedation, dependence, more | Headaches, dizziness, grogginess | None reported |
| Consistency batch to batch | Regulated, consistent | Varies, unregulated supplement | Consistent, no ingestion involved |
Frequently asked questions
Is valerian addictive like Valium?
Dependence has not been documented with valerian the way it has with Valium (diazepam), and experts describe valerian as a much milder ingredient overall. That said, long-term safety research on valerian remains limited.
Should I try valerian?
Experts are genuinely split, one recommends it for mild anxiety and sleep issues and uses it himself, the other would not recommend it as a primary strategy given mixed study results and side effects like grogginess and digestive upset. This is worth discussing with your doctor or pharmacist, particularly given how much supplement quality can vary.
Is GoCalm™ a replacement for valerian or other sleep supplements?
No. GoCalm™ is designed to support relaxation and a calming routine, not to replace supplements, medication, or professional treatment. If sleep or anxiety issues persist, please speak with your doctor.
Can I use GoCalm™ alongside a supplement like valerian?
Generally yes, since GoCalm™ is non-ingestible and does not carry the interaction risks that come with combining supplements. Still, check with a pharmacist about any supplement you are taking alongside other medications.
A calming routine with nothing to ingest
No grogginess, no quality variability, no dependence risk.
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