Caffeine stimulates adrenaline secretion and can worsen PTSD symptoms that are already in a hyperaroused state. Alcohol may feel like it temporarily reduces anxiety, but during metabolism it actually increases anxiety and lowers sleep quality—this is also why alcohol dependence is more common in PTSD patients. On the other hand, tofu, eggs, and nuts rich in tryptophan (a serotonin precursor), omega-3s with anti-inflammatory effects, and magnesium that aids nerve relaxation (green vegetables, bananas) are helpful.

Our Korean Medicine Clinic's Perspective

At Dongjedang, we recommend reducing stimulating, hot foods that stir up fire-heat, as well as caffeine and alcohol, and instead taking foods or teas containing lotus seed (yeonjayuk), longan flesh (yonganyuk), and sour jujube seed (sanjoin) that tonify the heart-mind. These are also key ingredients in Guibi-tang and are known to help calm the heart and spirit.