Flavonoids seem to work mechanistically similar to anti-anxiety drugs: They are able to pass the blood-brain barrier but without the side effects of medications.
Benzodiazepines like diazepam (Valium) are well-known drugs to help people feel calmer through their sedating, hypnotic, anti-anxiety, muscle-relaxant effects. These effects are thought to occur, at least in part, because of the drug’s ability to enhance the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at a specific receptor site in the brain.
As it turns out, certain members of the class of phytochemicals called flavonoids seem to work mechanistically similar to benzodiazepines: They are able to pass the blood-brain barrier (and the blood-brain barrier is notoriously “picky” about what it lets in!) and even sit on brain receptors.
It was a flavonoid called amentoflavon(e), and it was as potent as diazepam (Valium) in binding to certain brain receptors. Since then, the large family of flavonoids have been explored, and some popular types have been identified: kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, hesperetin, naringenin, catechins, epicatechins, anthocyanidins, and cyanidins, to name a few.
In fact, one animal study suggested that, in contrast to diazepam, flavonoids like chrysin and apigenin have no amnesia-like effect on learning tasks even at higher doses relative to the levels shown to be effective for anti-anxiety effects. Apigenin had a slight enhancing effect on training-session performance.
Overall, cell and animal research has shown that flavonoids found in foods and herbs may have beneficial effects for brain and nerve health. We still don’t know whether these results translate to humans, but until we know the definitive answer, it might be worthwhile to get more of flavonoid-containing foods in your everyday diet.
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