Calm Ingredients

Calm

Earths Secret Calm Complex was created to help relieve Modern Life Stress and to aid concentration and focus throughout the day. Our Calm Complex contains the worlds leading adaptogen KSM-66® Ashwagandha, which is the most bioavailable form of Ashwagandha on the market today. Combined with four other powerful botanicals containing Ayurvedic Adaptogens and Natural Nootropics.

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Organic KSM-66® Ashwagandha

Calm's Pillar ingredient is KSM-66® Ashwagandha, which is a branded peer-patented form of Ashwagandha. Being the highest concentrated, full spectrum root extract on the market today. KSM-66^® Ashwagandha has the highest percentage of withanolides (active compounds) compared to any other root-only extract, measuring over 5% by HPLC and uses a special ‘green-chemistry’ extraction process without the use of alcohol or synthetic solvents. KSM-66® is the number one clinically studied version of Ashwagandha, which has 22 gold standard human clinical trials, demonstrating its profound effect on reducing stress and anxiety.

Ashwagandha comes from a root found in India which has been used as a stress reliever tonic in many Ayurvedic traditions. In Sanskrit, Ashwagandha means “smell of horse” as it imparts the strength and vigor of a stallion. The Ashwagandha plant is renowned for being one of the most powerful Ayurvedic herbs with many effects for the body and mind, that spans back thousands of years. Ashwagandha optimises the body's stress response by lowering cortisol levels and promoting a calmer, clearer state of mind. Clinically proven to reduce the feelings of anxiety by supporting the productions of mood-stabilising brain chemicals. Ashwagandha has also been shown to boost acetylcholine in the brain, which can improve memory, learning and cognition. Ashwagandha is classified as an Adaptogen, meaning that it can help the body better deal with stress and can return you to a state of balance and homeostasis when things get out of sync. Ashwagandha has been shown to enhance GABA receptors and Serotonin in the brain. It appears to work on neuron receptors, enabling GABA to connect easier, which inhibits the signals present under a stress response in the brain.

A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of Ashwagandha root (KSM-66®) in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. The findings of this study suggest that a high-concentration full-spectrum Ashwagandha root extract (KSM-66®) safely and effectively improves an individual’s resistance towards stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life.
A study shows 20 healthy males given 250 mg capsules of standardized Ashwagandha extract for 14 days. There were significant improvements in reaction times. The study suggests that Ashwagandha extract can improve cognitive and psychomotor (physical reaction) performance.
A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial tested the body weight management in adults under chronic stress through treatment With Ashwagandha Root Extract. The outcome of this study suggests that Ashwagandha root extract can be used for body weight management in adults under chronic stress.
After eight weeks of study, the Ashwagandha treatment group demonstrated significant improvements compared with the placebo group in both immediate and general memory. The treatment group also demonstrated significantly greater improvement in executive function, sustained attention, and information-processing. This study suggests, Ashwagandha may be effective in enhancing both immediate and general memory in people with MCI as well as improving executive function, attention, and information processing speed.
A study suggests that, KSM-66 Ashwagandha increased telomerase activity through TRAP assay, with highest enhancement of ~45% at 10-50μg concentration. This shows that Ashwagandha root extract has anti-aging inducing potential
A study where the efficacy of KSM-66® Ashwagandha was tested for an improvement of cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults. The results showed a greater increase from baseline in the mean VO2 max with KSM-66 Ashwagandha compared to placebo at 8 weeks and at 12 weeks. The findings suggest that Ashwagandha root extract enhances the cardiorespiratory endurance and improves QOL in healthy athletic adults.

Holy Basil Extract

Holy Basil, otherwise known as ‘Tulsi’ is an Ayurvedic herb that works as an Adaptogen through nurturing and nourishing the body, mind and spirit, while fostering a sense of relaxation and wellbeing. In the Ayurveda system Holy Basil is often referred to as an “Elixir of Life”, for its healing powers and has been known to treat many different common health conditions. Holy Basil has been said to be like yoga, with its calming effect that can lead to clarity of thought, along with a more relaxed and calm disposition. In Hinduism, Holy Basil is linked to the figure of a goddess, as it is seen as one of the holiest and cherished plants of the orient. Holy Basil is considered a symbol of fidelity and helpful in attaining spiritual enlightenment. The emerging science on Holy Basil, reinforces ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, as it suggests that it can be used as a tonic for the body, mind and spirit. Holy Basil has also shown to have potential cognition-enhancing properties in humans.

There have been four studies on the cognitive effects of supplementation with Holy Basil, the results showed significant improvements in mood and cognitive function.
A study conducted in India recruited 35 patients (21 male and 14 female, average age 38.4 years) to investigate using Holy Basil in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Patients were given Holy Basil extract twice daily for 60 days. The patients were assessed at the beginning of the trial, 30 and 60 days. Researchers found Holy Basil significantly reduced general anxiety and relieved the associated stress and depression.

Rhodiola Rosea Extract

Rhodiola rosea, known as the ‘Golden Root’ found in the mountainous parts of Europe and Asia, has been traditionally used as an Adaptogen and Nootropic by enhancing mental performance and fighting stress for centuries. The Vikings commonly used Rhodiola Rosea to enhance mental and physical endurance. Studies have shown that Rhodiola may improve cognitive function, reduce mental fatigue, promote free radical mitigation, and increase endurance performance. In Russia, Rhodiola Rosea is widely used as a remedy for energy, poor concentration, decreased memory, and is believed to make workers more productive. The plant's popularity made worldwide headlines when research leaked that the Russians were using the herb for its energy and health inducing properties on Olympians and Soldiers in the 70s. Rhodiola Rosea is said to be the ideal study Nootropic as research shows the increase to detail-oriented tasks by improving concentration over a prolonged period and boosting energy, by increasing the ATP synthesis in your mitochondria. Rhodiola Rosea has been used traditionally to boost mood by influencing norepinephrine levels in your brain, and the feel-good hormones like beta-endorphins.

A double- blind, placebo controlled trial with subjects aged 18-70 with mild to moderate depression were given Rhodiola Rosea extract daily. The research team reported significant improvements in depression, emotions and overall quality of life.
One double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out with 161 cadets aged from 19 – 21 years. The intent was to measure the effect of a single dose of Rhodiola Rosea extract on capacity for mental work against a background of fatigue and stress. The study showed a “pronounced anti-fatigue effect” in the cadets.
Another study was done with the aim to investigate the effect of repeated low-dose treatment of Rhodiola Rosea extract on mental performance with fatigued physicians. The research team found a statistically significant improvement in cognitive tests during the first 2 weeks. No side effects were reported. And the young doctors had a reduction in general fatigue under stressful conditions

L-theanine

L-theanine is a natural occurring amino acid found in Green Tea leaves and some mushrooms. L-theanine gives Green Tea many of its cognitive-enhancement and relaxing qualities without drowsiness. L-Theanine is known as a Nootropic as it has been shown to boost Alpha and Theta brain waves, which may promote alert relaxation and enhance creativity. The effects of L-theanine have said to provide a sense of calm and clear-headed focus. L- theanine may increase GABA, serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain which can have an energising and calming effect on your mood.

A 4 week study of L-theanine supplementation was shown to have positive effects in improving stress-related symptoms and cognitive-enhancement in healthy adults.
A study in South Korea worked with 20 healthy male volunteers aged 18 – 30 years. One group was given L-Theanine tablets, and the other group a placebo daily for 7 days. Brain waves were measured 40 minutes after administration of L-Theanine researchers analysed alpha wave power values. The results concluded that L- Theanine promoted the release of alpha brain waves related to mental relaxation and concentration.
Another study done in Japan worked with 12 people who underwent 4 separate trials. One in which they took L-Theanine at the start of the experiment. One in which they took it half-way through. And two control trials in which they took either a placebo or nothing. The results concluded that L-Theanine could cause anti-stress effects via the inhibition of cortical neuron excitation.

Black Pepper

Black pepper is added to enhance the absorption and bioavailability of Ashwagandha. Known as a ‘bio-enhancer’ as the bioactive compound found in Black Pepper, 'Piperine’ has shown to increase bioavailability of different herbs ranging from 30% to 200%. The concept of ‘bioavailability enhancers’ is derived from the traditional age old system of Ayurveda (science of life).

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