Today’s need for calm, and a good night’s sleep
During the long period that we’ve been living with Covid, the pressure of stress has been a growing concern to many people. According to data from the American Psychological Association (APA), 78% of Americans found that Covid is a significant source of stress in their lives.
Demand for supplements that address stress and sleep problems reflect this trend. Sales figures from Amazon show a 31% - 55% year-on-year growth for natural stress and sleep support sales from October 2019 to the present. Other industry sources now rate stress relief as a leading growth category.
AlphaWave, the GRAS affirmed source of L-Theanine, has been a key ingredient of choice in these categories for over 10 years: used as a single ingredient for stress relief, and in combination with other ingredients in a number of restful sleep formulas. These relaxing benefits of AlphaWave are now supported by two clinical studies.
The latest study: a summary
Published by Neurology and Health, September 2021
‘A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study to investigate the efficacy of a single 200mg dose of AlphaWave® L-Theanine on stress in a healthy adult population.’
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of AlphaWave L-Theanine both on frontal alpha power and salivary cortisol levels in healthy, moderately stressed adults. Increases in brainwave alpha power indicate greater relaxation without drowsiness, and salivary cortisol is also an objective measure of stress levels.
Results
The 16 subjects (cross-over design), ranging from age 16 to 60, were administered a 200mg single dose of AlphaWave L-Theanine and the response to an acute stress model was investigated. This study was conducted during the global Covid pandemic, which has had a rapid and significant effect on both physical and mental health around the world.
In the study, the single dose of AlphaWave L-Theanine significantly increased frontal region alpha power, and significantly reduced salivary cortisol levels, compared to placebo. These changes show relaxation in the brain and demonstrate a calming response in healthy adults between 19 and 60 years of age.
The study concludes
‘In conclusion, a 200mg dose of AlphaWave L-Theanine improved physiological indicators of stress compared to the placebo, including frontal region alpha power and salivary cortisol. A 200mg dose of AlphaWave L-Theanine was found to be safe and well tolerated and should be considered as a nutraceutical supplement to manage acute stress.’
To view complete study: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40120-021-00284-x
or https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8475422/
The first AlphaWave Clinical study
Conducted at: The Wellington Sleep Investigation Centre, University of Otego, Wellington, New Zealand.
‘The Effects of AlphaWave L-Theanine on Relaxation, Clarity and Cognitive Function: a Human Study w/20 Subjects: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study ’
This randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study assessed relaxation after a 200mg dose of AlphaWave through measurement of alpha brainwave changes and responses to stress tests. It also assessed changes in heart rate as an indication of stress level. Twenty subjects (10 male and 10 female), aged between 21 and 47 years, were tested for the effects of AlphaWave L-Theanine or placebo.
Results
Consumption of 200mg of AlphaWave L-Theanine produced significant beneficial changes as compared to placebo on all the outcomes assessed. For example, AlphaWave L-Theanine showed a positive effect on the tonic alpha power, that measures relaxed wakefulness, whereas the placebo had negative effects. The values for anxiety and tension were decreased in the AlphaWave group, who also experienced reduced fatigue, confirming the ‘relaxed wakefulness’ effects of increased alpha brain wave activity.
AlphaWave L-Theanine also significantly reduced the heart rate compared with placebo, and this was a further indication of the actual stress reduction effect of the product.
Cal Bewicke, CEO of Ethical Naturals states: ‘We’ve supplied AlphaWave L-theanine to the industry for about ten years now, and its been extraordinary to see the popularity of this product grow through the brands that offer it to consumers. It seems that the supporting science, and the calming, experiential nature of the product combine to build its success.’
AlphaWave is GRAS Affirmed, and ideal for supplement and beverage use:
- Highly purified and standardized to 98% L-Theanine
- Excellent tableting and encapsulation qualities
- GRAS Affirmed
- Dissolves into tasteless and odorless solution for beverage use
- Proprietary manufacturing process infringes no patents
- Inventoried and supplied through ENI’s NSF certified cGMP facility
For more information please go to ethicalnaturals.com, or inquire through info@ethicalnaturals.com