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Stress & Anxiety Screening for Everyone! Calming Cocktail to the Rescue!

September 29, 2022 - Admin
category: Calming Cocktail, Health, Recovery, Sleep

By Robert Schinetsky

 

On September 20, 2022, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued a recommendation that all adults be screened for anxiety and depressive symptoms, even if they display no signs of symptoms of anxiety.[1] This recommendation comes just a few months after the same task force recommended anxiety screenings for all kids and teens, (again) even if they show no signs or symptoms of anxiety.[2]

There are several types of anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety, but they are all usually characterized by excessive fear or worry.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting ~26% of U.S. men and ~40% of U.S. women over their lifetime.[3] Unsurprisingly, there has been a dramatic uptick in both feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression over the past couple of years due to lockdowns, social isolation, economic insecurities, and other mandates. Also, don’t forget that this is all in addition to the significant uptick in feelings of insecurity and angst hastened by the onset of social media.[4]

Discussing the contributing factors (as well as the magnitude of each one’s impact on the development and progression of anxiety and depression) is a topic unto itself, but suffice it to say that there are a host of factors that lead individuals to feel less happy and more on-edge.

The default route of dealing with anxiety is turning to any number of less-than-ideal substances -- alcohol, medications, illicit drugs, etc. -- as opposed to changing lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, time spent outdoors, decreased screen time, counseling, etc.). In fact, the Anxiety & Depression Association of America states that more than 1-in-6 Americans take a psychiatric drug (such as an antidepressant or a sedative), with antidepressants being the most common type of psychiatric drug utilized.[5]

However, despite the prevalence with which antidepressants are prescribed and used, they are not without side effects, including insomnia, addiction, reduced sexual health/performance and anxiety.[6]

Put another way, we cannot simply rely on a pill to fix our mental (or physical) health. It takes time, effort, and consistency, and it begins with adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes:

  • A nutritious diet (such as the Mediterranean diet)
  • Regular exercise
  • Quality sleep
  • Time outdoors (away from screens)
  • Regular human (in-person) interaction
  • Having a purpose (something that drives you to be engaged and active in daily life)

 

This isn’t to say that if you satisfy all of the aforementioned things you won’t ever feel stressed or anxious, far from it. Stress and feeling “off” from time to time are completely natural, but it shouldn’t be the status quo.

For those times when you are feeling stressed (even when you’re doing everything else “right”), there are natural anxiety supplements available -- ones that don’t come with the treasure-trove of unwanted side effects of conventional means of “taking the edge off” after a particularly abysmal day.

This is why we created AML Calming Cocktail. The best supplements for anxiety contain the ideal combination of natural ingredients and dosages to help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety without causing habituation, tolerance, or dependency.†

What’s in AML Calming Cocktail? 

GABA

GABA is the body’s primary inhibitory (“downer”) neurotransmitter, responsible for helping the mind calm down. Unfortunately, many individuals live in a state of hyperstimulation, constantly inundating themselves with blue light, likes, tweets, and more. This can lead to an imbalance between GABA and glutamate (the body’s primary excitatory neurotransmitter), resulting in feelings of stress and anxiety.[7,8]

Calming Cocktail supplies a full 3,000 milligrams of GABA to promote relaxation and calmness.†

Additional studies indicate that GABA supplementation may confer a comparable relaxation effect similar to L-Theanine (another potent anti-stress supplement in AML Calming Cocktail).[9]

L-Taurine

We’ve discussed L-Taurine a time or two before, mostly in the context of why it’s not one of our preferred pre workout supplements. However, just because it may not be the most ideal supplement to take before training (especially in combination with caffeine) does not mean it is without benefit. Far from it, actually.

Taurine can be very useful, provided it’s used at the right time.

You see, taurine can do a number of different things in the body, including enhancing cellular hydration and boosting antioxidant defenses.

It also stimulates the GABA-A receptors as well the glycine and NMDA receptors, which may help increase GABA activity in the body and, thus promote feelings of calm and relaxation.

Unlike many stress-relief options (e.g. drugs, alcohol, etc.), taurine has a high safety profile with no adverse effects for up to 1,000 mg/kg/day.[10] A 2017 study also concluded that, “...taurine may have beneficial effect on depression without adverse effects at a suitable dose, and is a good choice to prevent depression in adolescent or young adulthood.”[11]

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a fundamental regenerative tonic of Ayurveda, whose use spans back thousands of years. It is renowned for its stress-relieving properties, improving how individuals perceive, encounter, and recover from stressors of all forms.

Ashwagandha is backed by hundreds of studies, with a strong record of decreasing feelings of stress as well as levels of cortisol (the body’s primary stress hormone).[12,13] Most recently, a systematic review and meta-analysis, appearing in Phytotherapy Research, that ashwagandha at doses between 300–600 mg/day had a beneficial effect on both stress and anxiety.[21] FYI, Calming Cocktail supplies 500mg of Ashwagandha 4:1 root extract.†

As an added bonus, the age-old herb has also been shown to improve sleep quality as well as sexual performance (in men and women) and libido (both of which can suffer during times of stress and anxiety).[14,15,16]

5-HTP

Serotonin is one of the body’s most important neurotransmitters, impacting mood, well-being, sleep, appetite, and a host of other biological functions. It is also a primary focus of modern pharmacology in the treatment of anxiety and depression.†

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is the direct precursor of serotonin and is created from the metabolism of L-tryptophan -- the amino acid in turkey (and other sources of protein) blamed for the post-Thanksgiving nap, though that’s a discussion for another article.

Reduced levels of serotonin have been linked to symptoms of anxiety, depression, weight gain, and sleep disorders.† [17,18]

As the direct precursor to serotonin, 5-HTP offers a more direct route to supporting increased levels of serotonin, promoting greater feelings of mood and well-being. As an added bonus, 5-HTP supplementation has also been shown to help reduce cravings and appetite as well as improve sleep, all of which aids weight loss.[19,20]

L-Theanine

An amino acid naturally prevalent in green tea leaves, L-Theanine has gained notoriety for its calming effects in humans without inducing sedation (i.e. helps promote relaxation without making individuals feel sleepy).

Theanine helps increase GABA levels in the body, and it can bind to glutamate receptors, due to its structural similarities to the excitatory neurotransmitter. Studies have also shown that L-Theanine promotes alpha wave generation in the brain, which indicates a state of relaxed alertness without promoting drowsiness.[22] Based on these findings, L-Theanine may help modulate individuals to perform better during particularly stressful endeavors.

Additional research suggests that L-theanine at 200mg/day (the same dosage in AML Calming Cocktail) has the potential to support mental health in those dealing with stress-related ailments and cognitive impairments.† [23]

Melatonin

Best known for its role in governing circadian rhythm, melatonin is a hormone that helps you fall asleep. Numerous studies have also found that supplementing with melatonin, at a range of dosages, can improve sleep latency (how quickly you fall asleep) as well as sleep quality.† [24,25,26]

In addition to its sleep-promoting properties, melatonin also serves as a potent antioxidant, support immune system function, and combat stress (stress being one of the main reasons individuals have difficulty sleeping).† [27,28]

Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals/electrolytes in the body, participating in over 300+ biological activities. Yet, it remains one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies around the globe.[29]

Among the many roles in which magnesium is involved include energy production, bone development, and muscle relaxation. Vitamin D (an essential vitamin and hormone precursor) also can't be metabolized without sufficient magnesium levels.[30]

To top it off, research finds a link between magnesium deficiency and increased risks of depression.[31]

It’s recommended that adults consume between 300-400mg per day; however, with the increased reliance on hyper-processed fare, the average adult doesn’t nearly satisfy this recommendation.

Supplementation with magnesium has been shown to be safe, well-tolerated, and beneficial in improving mood and feelings of well-being.[31]

Takeaway

Stress and anxiety are something we cannot escape. Even when doing everything “right”, life, fate, karma (or whatever you want to call it) steps in and throws a curveball.

While you cannot completely avoid stress (nor would you want to), improving how you handle stress and recover from it can make all the difference.We do, however, want to limit chronic stress and improve our ability to encounter and recover from stress, regardless of the form it manifests itself.

In addition to the above-mentioned lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, sleep, etc.), specific supplements, such as those contained in AML Calming Cocktail, may help reduce feelings of stress and promote greater feelings of well-being.†

Click here about AML Calming Cocktail Product to learn more about AML Calming Cocktail.

 

†These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

© Published by Advanced Research Media, Inc., 2022

© Reprinted with permission from Advanced Research Media, Inc.

References

  1. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/sites/default/files/file/supporting_documents/depression-suicide-risk-anxiety-adults-screening-draft-rec-bulletin.pdf
  2. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/draft-recommendation/screening-anxiety-children-adolescents
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