We are living in the most relentless, fast-paced world in human history. So, is it any surprise that many people find themselves unknowingly addicted to chaos? One seemingly paradoxical reaction to this rude reality is that our nervous systems sometimes feel drawn to high‑stress states, which can leave people feeling depleted or out of alignment with their best sense of wellness. This addiction to chronic stress can make calm feel foreign, or even unsafe.
For those navigating high-functioning anxiety, overstimulation, or lingering trauma, the tensions between chaos and calm can be exhausting and confusing, with a growing impact on more Americans than might be immediately evident. Data shared by the National Institute of Mental Health shows that more than 19% of U.S. adults report having an anxiety disorder in the past year, with over 30% of those 18 and older having experienced an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, and women (23.4%) suffering more than men (14.3%).
How do childhood trauma, chronic stress, and overstimulation shape a nervous system addiction to chaos? Today, we aim to provide scientific explanations in simple language and support from Nature’s pharmacopeia that are easily accessible to you. Take a deep, heart-nourishing breath with us, and prepare to move from spiraled stress toward vibrant calm.
Here’s something we don’t hear nearly enough about: Stress isn’t inherently bad. It’s a vital survival mechanism that has evolved to serve our human needs, though sometimes it is flawed; the “threats” of our modern lives look very different than those our ancestors faced. Then and now, when the body perceives danger, it releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline (functional cortisol) to prepare for fight or flight. This response is life-saving in acute situations.
On the other hand, when stress becomes chronic, cortisol no longer cycles properly, becoming spiraled cortisol, or persistently elevated levels that can do lasting damage to your body and mind. Over time, the nervous system adapts to expect this heightened state of alertness, essentially becoming “addicted” to chaos. The rush of stress hormones, dopamine spikes from stimulation, and heightened arousal start to feel “normal” or even comforting.
The result? We end up “wired but tired,” constantly restless, or unable to relax without distraction. Calm moments can trigger anxiety or discomfort because the nervous system doesn’t recognize safety anymore. Recognizing the signs of nervous system stress addiction is crucial for healing. If any of the following feel familiar, your nervous system may be caught in a chronic stress cycle:
Do any of these resonate with you? It could be your body sending you messages that the nervous system needs more intentional support to break free from its chaotic codependence. To shift this dynamic, polyvagal theory may provide actionable insights for an internal reset.
Pioneered by neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges, this groundbreaking framework offers a deeper understanding of how our nervous system processes safety and threat. According to this theory, the autonomic nervous system operates in three primary states that shape our emotional and physiological responses: the ventral vagal (social engagement), the sympathetic (fight or flight), and the dorsal vagal (freeze or shutdown) states. When we feel safe, both physically and socially, our nervous system rests in the ventral vagal state, promoting calm, digestion, and meaningful connection with others.
However, chronic stress or traumatic experiences can trap our nervous systems in heightened states of fight or flight or freeze, where adrenaline surges or immobilization dominate. This leaves us feeling anxious, hypervigilant, or emotionally numb, making it difficult to access the restorative calm and social engagement that support healing. The key to recovery lies in gently retraining your nervous system to recognize safety cues and shift back into the ventral vagal state, where genuine relaxation and resilience can flourish.
You know those people whose presence slows or steadies your heartbeat? They could be the ones you need most (though butterflies are also lovely!) to support your nervous system’s natural ability to regulate itself, transforming chaos addiction into balanced calm and signaling safety just by sharing time and space with you.
The constant barrage of modern stimuli — from “rotting” with endless screen time and “doomscrolling” through social media alerts to environmental toxins and relentless work pressures — puts your brain’s dopamine system into overdrive. Our brains evolved to respond to intermittent rewards, but today, the flood of digital notifications, caffeine, ultra-processed foods, and multitasking bombards dopamine receptors with nonstop surges. This chronic overstimulation hijacks the nervous system’s natural balance, driving compulsive behaviors and creating an unhealthy craving for stress-induced excitement and chaos.
Dopamine fasting offers a strategic reset by intentionally pausing exposure to these overstimulating triggers for defined periods; examples include screens, caffeine, social media, and other fast-reward sources. This break allows dopamine receptors to recover sensitivity, helping reduce the compulsive urge for constant stimulation. Rather than thinking of it as forced deprivation, consider you’re giving the nervous system a restorative pause to recalibrate.
Coupled with dopamine fasting, somatic practices (think: slow diaphragmatic breathing, gentle yoga or qigong, progressive muscle relaxation, and grounding through barefoot walking) engage the parasympathetic nervous system. These body-focused techniques help support sensations of safety, slow the nervous system, and may assist in cultivating calmer states and more ease over time.
By reducing overstimulation and fostering embodied calm, the combination of dopamine fasting and somatic practices can help create space for the brain and body to reset, enabling a healthier balance between arousal and rest essential for long-term resilience. Together, these approaches provide a science-backed escape route for a nervous system trapped in a dangerous loop of registering emotional rollercoasters as your baseline bodily norm.
Plants have supported the nervous systems of countless generations before technological advances led to overdependence on quick dopamine hits, mind-body disconnection, and unavoidable toxic chemicals in our air, water, food, clothing, household and cosmetic products, and many more new threats to our sacred state of inner balance. Fascinatingly, the Americas offer a vibrant botanical heritage of calming herbs whose traditional uses are now being validated by emerging scientific research. Before exploring our most trusted plant allies, it's vital to recognize that herbs and botanical formulations are most effective when combined with mindful lifestyle practices to regulate functional cortisol and alleviate spiraling stress.
Adaptogens are a unique class of botanicals Adaptogens are a class of botanicals traditionally used to support the body’s response to stress and promote overall balance. Among the most well-studied adaptogens is Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), which may help people feel more grounded under stress and support wellness in stress‑related contexts. A growing body of evidence also shows Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) helps support mental endurance and may alleviate fatigue by modulating neurotransmitters involved in stress response. Maca (Lepidium meyenii), native to the Andes, is known to help nourish endocrine function and sustain energy without overstimulation. Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), a “king” among the mycellial kingdom, has been studied for its calming and immune-modulating effects, which can further support nervous system balance. Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) berries are cherished for their ability to enhance adrenal function and nervous system endurance, contributing to improved stress tolerance, while eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), also called Siberian ginseng, is another adaptogen revered for centuries for boosting energy and resilience to stress.
Additional adaptogens frequently used alongside these include cordyceps, licorice root, shatavari, and bacopa, each with unique benefits for stress regulation and cognitive support. To delve deeper into the world of adaptogens, keep reading here, and enjoy 30 unique adaptogenic recipes to incorporate them into your daily ritual wellness practices.
Nurturing Nervines
Nervines are herbs commonly used to support relaxation, comfort, and more restful sleep in traditional herbal systems. Damiana (Turnera diffusa), native to Mexico and Central America, has demonstrated mood-regulating properties in studies, partly through interactions with serotonin and dopamine pathways. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) enhances GABAergic activity, which calms nerve excitability and improves sleep quality. For deep sleep seekers, California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a mild sedative used traditionally to support feelings of calm and encourage restfulness, with a growing body of research backing its soothing properties.
Other herbs widely recognized for their sleep-promoting and muscle-relaxing effects include valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) and skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), which has a history of use for its calming influence and sleep-supportive qualities. The often-overlooked hops (Humulus lupulus) can complement these nervines by calming nervous tension and enhancing sleep. It may not be an overstatement to suggest that everyone’s basic herbal apothecary should include gardeners’ favorites like lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). These herbal classics are well-known nervines celebrated for their calming effects and anxiety reduction, reflected in ancestral medicinal traditions and the modern formulae emulating them.
Aromatherapy offers a rapid pathway to influence the nervous system via the olfactory system, which connects directly to brain regions that regulate emotions and stress. With this in mind, we have selected six of our best-selling oils to create the Relax & De-Stress Kit, featuring aromatic allies to signal safety to your nervous system instantly. Known for their cooling and soothing nature that calms mind, body, and spirit, our Kit contains:
- BERGAMOT | Organic
- BLUE CHAMOMILE | Sustainably Cultivated
- LAVENDER KASHMIR | Sustainably Cultivated
- PATCHOULI | Sustainably Harvested
- ROSE GERANIUM | Organic
- TULSI (HOLY BASIL) | Sustainably Cultivated
We chose these six oils because:
Bergamot essential oil has been studied its calming scent, with potential to support mood and comfort in daily life. Blue chamomile exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and calming effects, beneficial for soothing the nervous system. Lavender oil is one of the most extensively studied, demonstrating anxiolytic and relaxing properties in numerous clinical trials. Patchouli oil offers grounding qualities that help reduce mental chatter and nervous tension. Rose geranium supports emotional balance and eases nervous tension. Tulsi, or holy basil, is adored by many worldwide for its ability to support resilience to stress and calm the mind. These essential oils can be diffused, applied topically with proper dilution, or incorporated into rituals to create calming, safe environments for the nervous system. Learn how to use them here.
Reclaiming your nervous system from the grip of chaos is not a quick fix. But if you’re ready to embark on a transformative journey rooted in self-compassion and mindful intention, herbs and oils can be phenomenally supportive in combination with your newfound awareness and some subtle shifts in how you move through your days with a renewed commitment to slowing down.
Each small step toward recognizing your body’s signals and responding with care rewires the brain’s pathways, allowing functional cortisol rhythms and emotional balance to emerge naturally. This gradual process reminds us that calm is not a distant ideal or something one pill can fix, but an accessible state supported by our daily choices and self-loving rituals.
You have the power to cultivate a sanctuary within, one where safety, resilience, and peace can thrive even amid life’s inevitable stresses. Trust your body’s innate ability to restore itself. With consistent care, the nervous system’s daily dance with chaos can soften into a harmonious rhythm, opening the door to deeper well-being, clarity, and connection with yourself and the world around you.
* This blog is for educational purposes only. The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
