Magnolol is a bioactive compound derived from the bark of Magnolia officinalis, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. Magnolia bark has long been used in traditional medicine systems for its purported calming and anti-anxiety effects. However, the use of magnolol specifically for anxiety has more recently been evaluated in scientific studies, mostly preclinical (animal and in vitro) models. These studies suggest that magnolol may exert anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects through modulation of the GABAergic system, which is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter system in the brain and a common target for pharmaceutical anxiolytics such as benzodiazepines.

For example, animal studies have shown that magnolol can increase GABAergic activity, reduce stress-induced behaviors, and lower markers of anxiety. Some evidence also points to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may indirectly support mental health. However, despite these encouraging findings, well-controlled human clinical trials are lacking. As a result, while the mechanistic and preclinical data provide a scientific basis for magnolol's potential to support or treat anxiety, the overall level of evidence is still preliminary (rated 2 out of 5). More rigorous and large-scale human studies are needed to confirm efficacy, establish optimal dosing, and fully assess safety in this context.