Metagenics NeuroCalm and Metagenics NeuroCalm Sleep Review

Metagenics NeuroCalm and Metagenics NeuroCalm Sleep Review

The following information regarding Metagenics NeuroCalm and Metagenics NeuroCalm Sleep is provided by Naturopath Kevin Tresize ND for the benefit of patients. Metagenics NeuroCalm and Metagenics NeuroCalm Sleep are available on this website for patients and for people who have a practitioner recommendation.

To find out more about how to obtain these products, please visit our instructions page.

Table 1: Comparison between Metagenics NeuroCalm and Metagenics NeuroCalm Sleep

A Herbal Blend Beneficial During Times Of Stress, Nervous Tension And Mild Anxiety

Herbs in Metagenics NeuroCalm have been clinically shown to or traditionally used for:

• Patients feeling anxious and tense.¹
• Reduce anxiety during times of stress.^2,3
• Modulate GABA and neurotransmitter pathways.⁴
• Tension, anxiety, irritability and insomnia.⁵
• Without impairing cognition.⁶
• May encourage balance between glutamate and GABA.^7,8
• Contains therapeutic levels of Zizyphus, Kudzu, Magnolia and Passionflower.

Clinical Benefits

• Passionflower, in traditional Western medicine, is used for tension, anxiety, irritability and insomnia.⁵ A constituent that contributes to this effect is apigenin, which has been shown to bind to central benzodiazepine receptors causing anxiolytic effects without impairing cognition.⁶
• Zizyphus and magnolia have been shown in animal studies to modulate neurotransmitter activity via receptor site binding. Interactions have been demonstrated between these herbs and adenosine, dopamine, serotonin and GABA benzodiazepine receptors. Honokiol from magnolia has exhibited anxiolytic effects in animals via interaction with GABA-A receptors and without causing motor dysfunction or CNS suppression. Honokiol may also inhibit catecholamine secretion and enhance cholinergic function. It is via these modulating actions that ingredients in Metagenics NeuroCalm may encourage balance between the excitatory effects of glutamate and the calmative effects of GABA (Figure 1).^7,8

Figure 1: Metagenics NeuroCalm may encourage balance between GABA and Glutamate.

Ingredients

Free from animal products, dairy protein, lactose, eggs, gluten, wheat, nuts, yeast, soy protein, starches and salt. Free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.

Directions

Adults:

Take 1 tablet three times daily.

Warnings

Not all cautions and contraindications are listed. For full details, references or more information contact HealthMasters.

Storage

Store below 30° C

Figure 2: Passion Flower is a herbal ingredient in both Metagenics NeuroCalm and Metagenics NeuroCalm Sleep.

Metagenics NeuroCalm Sleep For Insomnia And Mild Anxiety

Ingredients in Metagenics NeuroCalm Sleep have been clinically shown or traditionally used:

• For insomnia - for a restful sleep, to get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer.^1,2,3
• To relieve mild anxiety, tension and worry.^4,5
• Fast acting, high strength, non-habit forming herbs.

Clinical Benefits

• NeuroCalm Sleep has sedative qualities which relieve insomnia and mild anxiety. California poppy has traditionally been used for its sedating effects, therefore contributing to a calm and restful sleep.⁶ Animal studies have suggested this sedative effect may be due to its ability to bind to GABA receptors and activate them.6Lavender oil also acts via GABA receptors and provides additional calming effects by moderating production of stress hormones such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates cortisol production.^7,8 Passion flower has an anxiolytic effect by affecting GABA neurotransmitter pathways.⁹ Flavonoids from passion flower bind to the stress receptor sites of the GABA_A receptor.¹⁰ Zizyphus’ calming effects come from its ability to increase the effect of GABA.¹¹ GABA is a calming neurotransmitter and its activity promotes sleepiness and relaxation.¹²
• NeuroCalm Sleep reduces effects of excitatory neurotransmitters. Linalool from lavender oil inhibits acetylcholine release and glutamate binding in the cerebral cortex.¹³ Its ability to ease tension and promote a restful sleep come from this ability to alter excitatory neurotransmitters such as glutamate and noradrenaline.¹⁴ Zizyphus also reduces the neuroexcitatory effects of glutamate thus reducing wakefulness and alertness.^15,16

Ingredients

Free from animal products, dairy protein, lactose, eggs, gluten, wheat, nuts, yeast and soy protein. Free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.

Directions

Adults:

For mild anxiety: Take 1 tablet twice daily with food.

For insomnia: Take 2 tablets once daily with your evening meal.

Warnings

Antidepressant medications: Zizyphus, California poppy and lavender may have additive effects, however beneficial interaction is likely under professional supervision. Monitor, and do not exceed recommended dosage.

Barbiturates: Magnolia and passionflower might increase the risk of drowsiness. Exercise caution if operating heavy machinery, driving a motor vehicle, or if involved in activities requiring mental alertness.

Benzodiazepines and CNS depressants: California poppy and zizyphus may have additive sedative effects. Exercise caution if operating heavy machinery, driving a motor vehicle, or if involved in activities requiring mental alertness. Monitor, and do not exceed recommended dose.

Diarrhoea: Zizyphus may exacerbate diarrhoea. Use with caution in people with severe diarrhoea.

Surgery: Due to CNS depressant effects and theoretical additive effects with anaesthesia or sedatives, it has been recommended that sedative herbs, such as California poppy, passionflower and lavender, should be discontinued at least 2 weeks before elective surgical procedures.

For full details, references or more information contact HealthMasters.

Contraindications

Allergies and Sensitivities: Avoid in patients with known allergy/hypersensitivity to Zizyphus spp., its constituents, or members of the family Rhamnaceae (buckthorn) and Jamaican dogwood and/or members of the Fabaceae family.

Some components of some zizyphus species may cross react with latex IgE; those with severe latex allergy may react to zizyphus fruits.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Lavender has been found to stimulate uterine contractions in an animal model. Zizyphus may also have uterine-stimulating activity. Avoid use during pregnancy.

Storage

Store below 30° C

Additional Resources

Other Metagenics naturopathic medicines which can be taken to enhance the benefits of Metagenics NeuroCalm and Metagenics NeuroCalm Sleep.

Metagenics NeuroCalm and Metagenics Neurocalm Sleep are effective naturopathic medicines when taken separately or together. However, in some people there are other naturopathic medicines needed to overcome the symptoms. For more information see the links below:

Metagenics CalmX Powder

Metagenics HPA Essentials

To find out more about how to obtain these products and more, please visit our instructions page or contact HealthMasters.