It's hard to find an antidote to today's overstressed world. The encouraging news is that lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a perennial herb in the mint family native to the Mediterranean region, has been scientifically validated to help promote sleep and relaxation. What's more, lemon balm produces these calming effects while also enhancing memory and attention Cyracos lemon balm extract is prepared from special lemon balm chosen for its high concentrations of hydroxycinnamic and rosmarinic acids. These active lemon balm constituents appear to enhance mood by modulating specific nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in the cerebral cortex of the brain. Aside from relieving everyday stress and promoting restful sleep, this botanical extract may also offer smokers relief from the mental stress of quitting, aid in supporting healthy mood, and helps inhibit the emotional hunger associated with dieting (or following a calorie restriction regimen). Relaxation-Promoting Effects of L-Theanine The Japanese have long known that L-theanine, an amino acid derived from green tea, is a relaxant that helps inhibit stress. L-theanine produces calming effects in the brain in ways that have been compared to meditation, massage, and aromatherapy. L-theanine induces relaxation. In fact, studies show that L-theanine enhances the brain's ability to concentrate, learn, and remember. L-theanine increases, an inhibitory neurotransmitter that not only induces relaxation but also produces a sense of well-being. L-theanine helps maintain healthy levels of dopamine, a critical brain hormone that is depleted by age-related stress factors. A Host of Health-Enhancing Benefits Research shows that L-theanine has numerous health-enhancing effects, including promoting healthy cognitive function. In studies of neurons in cell culture, L-theanine has shown to inhibit glutamate- or other neurotoxicant-induced neurotoxicity, a major effect of normal brain aging. Based on an enormous amount of published data showing the multiple beneficial effects of lemon balm extract and L-theanine, Life Extension has combined these potent nutrients into a formula called Enhanced Stress Relief. Note that the amount of L-theanine in this product is double that of most L-theanine standalone supplements. The reason for this potency increase is reports of greater benefit when at least 200 mg of L-theanine is taken. Beware of Imitations: The L-theanine used in Enhanced Stress Relief is Suntheanine, the only pure form of L-theanine protected by 40 U.S. and international patents. Independent laboratory analysis has verified that certain other products on the market claiming to contain "L-theanine" are only half L-theanine, the other half being a different form of theanine known as "D-theanine" which has not been scientifically evaluated in published studies.