Anxiety & Stress

An amino acid found in green tea. Studied for calm alertness, anxiety reduction, and synergistic effects with caffeine.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a root herb used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, classified as an adaptogen for its proposed ability to help the body resist stressors. Its primary bioactive compounds — withanolides — are thought to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Clinical trials using standardized extracts have found evidence for reductions in perceived stress, cortisol, and anxiety, as well as improvements in sleep quality. Some trials also suggest modest support for testosterone and strength in men. Evidence quality is moderate, with most trials being small and short-term; cycling use is recommended given limited long-term safety data.

An essential mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions. Widely studied for sleep, anxiety, and metabolic health.

Inositol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that functions as a critical second messenger in cellular signaling, particularly through the IP3 pathway and insulin signal transduction. It is found in a range of foods and is produced endogenously. The most studied form, myo-inositol, has its strongest evidence base in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where it appears to improve insulin sensitivity and hormonal regulation. High-dose myo-inositol (12-18g/day) has been studied for anxiety and panic disorder with preliminary positive findings. Lower-dose use for sleep (approximately 900mg) is discussed in wellness contexts but has limited direct trial evidence at that specific dose.

Taurine is a sulfur-containing compound abundant in muscle, heart, retina, and brain. Unlike most amino acids, it is not incorporated into proteins but plays broad roles in osmoregulation, membrane stabilization, calcium homeostasis, bile acid conjugation, and antioxidant defense. Research interest has historically focused on cardiovascular health and exercise performance. A landmark 2023 paper in Science (Singh et al.) elevated interest in taurine's potential role in aging biology, finding that taurine declines with age and that supplementation extended lifespan in mice — an exciting finding that awaits human interventional replication.