Panic Disorder and Gamma Oryzanol

Gamma oryzanol is a mixture of substances derived from rice bran oil, including sterols and ferulic acid. Rice bran oil is the principal source of gamma oryzanol, but it is also found in the bran of wheat and other grains, as well as various fruits, vegetables, and herbs. However, to get enough gamma oryzanol to reach typical therapeutic dosages, you will need to take supplements.

Though the specific mechanism of action is yet unknown, gamma oryzanol is sometimes thought to be useful for treating panic disorder (as well as generalized anxiety disorder).

Read more details about Gamma Oryzanol.

Though no formal research has been done on the use of gamma orzyanol for anxiety, it has been approved in Japan for several conditions, including menopausal symptoms, stomach upset, high cholesterol, and mild anxiety - a major symptom of panic disorder.

Safety Issues

In the late 1970s, a batch of rice bran oil was contaminated by PCBs (polychlorobiphenyls), resulting in the poisoning of more than 2,000 people. This led to studies on the safety of gamma oryzanol products. On balance, the results of these investigations suggest that gamma oryzanol, when taken at normal doses, is nontoxic and noncarcinogenic. ¹ However, the maximum safe dosages for young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease have not been established.