Methods of treating anxiety disorders or reducing anxiety-related behaviors. The methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of ketone supplementation, such as butanediol, ketone esters (e.g., 1,3-butanediol-acetoacetate diester) and/or ketone salts (e.g., beta-hydroxybutyrate-mineral salt), chronically, sub-chronically, or acutely, with or without admixture with a medium chain triglyceride or in combination. It was determined herein that ketone supplementation reduced anxiety in rats on elevated plus maze as measured by less entries to closed arms, more time spent in open arms, more distance travelled in open arms, and delayed latency to entrance to closed arms, when compared to control. Along with reducing anxiety-related behavior, the chronic, sub-chronic, and acute ketone supplements also caused significant elevation of blood βHB levels and changed blood glucose levels.