--- title: Don’t stress, our anxiety is big business - The Hustle description: As anxiety diagnoses spike, businesses offering everything from expensive wearables to cheap fidget toys see an opportunity. image: https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/352105963-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-Anxiety_20230824222058.webp --- # Don’t stress, our anxiety is big business ![Sara Friedman](https://53.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/53/assets/hubspot.com/web-team/WBZ/HubSpot%20Media/Blog%202021/Images/Nav/Optimized/TheHustle_Icon_Dark.svg) [Sara Friedman](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/author/sara-friedman) [Sara Friedman Twitter profile ](https://twitter.com/sarafriedmannn) Published: August 25, 2023 Updated: October 11, 2023 Is your desk littered with discarded fidget spinners, coloring books, and maybe even some slime? ![anxiety products](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/352105963-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-Anxiety_20230824222058.webp?width=595&height=400&name=352105963-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-Anxiety_20230824222058.webp) If so, you’re probably an American [consumer](https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/anxiety-mental-health-treatment-supplements-ca4a7fc?mod=hp_lead_pos7) — and you’re not alone. With anxiety disorders affecting [40m](https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics#Facts%20and%20Statistics) US adults (19% of the population), and young people even more [likely](https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/press-release/latest-federal-data-show-that-young-people-are-more-likely-than-older-adults-to-be-experiencing-symptoms-of-anxiety-or-depression/) to experience mental health symptoms, alleviating stress means big business for brands. #### **And companies aren’t shying away from the challenge:** - Wearables like [Apollo Neuro](https://apolloneuro.com/) ($349), [Muse](https://choosemuse.com/) (~$294), and [Sensate](https://www.getsensate.com/) ($299) promise to track and reduce stress. - Coloring books, weighted blankets, and fidget toys of all [kinds](https://www.healthline.com/health/fidget-toys-for-anxiety) are sold as much-needed distractions. - Supplements made with ingredients like ashwagandha, melatonin, and CBD are peddled on social media as sleep aids and anxiety cures. While there’s no shortage of products guaranteeing to keep us calm, the anxiety industry has little regulatory oversight and the [FDA](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/rumor-control/facts-about-dietary-supplements#:~:text=Fact%3A%20Vitamins%2C%20minerals%2C%20herbs,subject%20to%20regulation%20as%20drugs.) doesn’t approve supplements. #### **Then why do these things sell?** Because consumers will try just about anything to relieve their mounting stress. And, importantly, because it’s not easy to get help. A [shortage](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/03/06/therapist-covid-burnout/) of mental health workers and [inferior](https://www.vox.com/2023/8/4/23815827/mental-health-therapy-services-health-insurance) insurance coverage means waitlists and costs are piling up, making mental health services out of reach for many. Though telehealth businesses are trying to fill the void: - The app [Headspace](https://www.headspace.com/) has a range of content for managing anxiety, and its corporate offering, [Ginger](https://www.ginger.com/), brings the service to employees at enrolled companies. - Platforms like [BetterHelp](https://www.betterhelp.com/), [Talkspace](https://www.talkspace.com/), and [Lyra](https://www.lyrahealth.com/) connect users with mental health services online. Plus, if talk therapy doesn’t work: There’s lots of VC funding and research flowing into the startups looking to treat mental health disorders with [psychedelics](https://www.wsj.com/articles/wall-street-backs-new-class-of-psychedelic-drugs-3c5b9baf?mod=article_inline). Topics: [Mental Health](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/tag/mental-health) ## Follow us on social media Pop up for Subscribe to The Hustle Daily Newsletter Subscribe to The Hustle Daily Newsletter Get the 5-minute news brief keeping 2.5M+ innovators in the loop. 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