NutriStack
Trazodone and Valerian Root, a caution.
Valerian root acts on GABA-A receptors via valerenic acid, producing sedation. Trazodone is itself a strongly sedating antidepressant commonly used for sleep. Combined CNS depression can produce excessive next-day grogginess, impaired driving, falls, and confusion, particularly in older adults.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
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What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- Trazodone and Valerian Root
- Pair type
- Caution
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Emerging
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Caution · Emerging evidence
Caution
What is happening. Valerian root acts on GABA-A receptors via valerenic acid, producing sedation. Trazodone is itself a strongly sedating antidepressant commonly used for sleep. Combined CNS depression can produce excessive next-day grogginess, impaired driving, falls, and confusion, particularly in older adults.
Mechanism. Valerenic acid is a positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors. Trazodone produces sedation through H1 histamine antagonism and 5-HT2A antagonism. Combined CNS depression compounds drowsiness and psychomotor impairment.
Recommendation. Avoid valerian root with trazodone, especially if you take trazodone for sleep. If both are unavoidable, do not drive or operate machinery, and watch for daytime drowsiness and unsteady gait.
Sources (2)
- Yuan CS, Mehendale S, Xiao Y, Aung HH, Xie JT, Ang-Lee MK. The gamma-aminobutyric acidergic effects of valerian and valerenic acid on rat brainstem neuronal activity. Anesth Analg. 2004;98(2):353-358. PMID 14742369
- Brunnauer A, Laux G. Driving Under the Influence of Antidepressants: A Systematic Review and Update of the Evidence of Experimental and Controlled Clinical Studies. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2017;50(5):173-181. PMID 28718182
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Trazodone and Valerian Root are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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