A method of reducing anxiety in a non-human mammal by increasing brain serotonin levels, includes: down regulating in vivo levels of indigenous inflammatory cytokines in the nasal cavity of said non-human mammal by delivering an effective amount of an anti-inflammatory formula to said nasal cavity, which formula includes: at least one lipid-soluble antioxidant (which also functions as an anti-inflammatory agent) (the lipid-soluble antioxidant may be selected from the group consisting of alpha lipoic acid, aloe vera, omega 3 oil, N-acetylcysteine, cannabidiol, civet, oxytocin and combinations thereof); melatonin; tryptophan; and at least one essential oil. The most preferred antioxidant is N-acetylcysteine and the preferred essential oil is combination of chamomile, lavender and lemon oil.