Saffron titrated in safranal and crocines has anti-depressive properties via its serotonergic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. According to a meta-analysis, the benefits of saffron are comparable to fluoxetine (a serotonin reuptake inhibitor), from 20 mg/day. Concerning anxiety, a randomised controlled trial shows that a dose of 30mg to 50mg of saffron/day for 12 weeks appears to have a significant impact on anxiety, with a good tolerance. As for ashwagandha, several studies have shown that an extract titrated in withanaloids (minimum 15%) can reduce the effects and symptoms of stress and anxiety. In a study of chronically stressed adults, the SHODEN® ashwagandha group (120mg/d and 240mg/d) showed a 10-30% decrease in cortisol and also decreased excessive norepinephrine production[3-4]. L-Theanine was added to the formula to help modulate the sympathetic nervous system. Several randomised studies report a decrease in acute stress and anxiety with 200 mg of L-Theanine. This anti-stress effect is indicated by biological parameters: decrease in heart rate, blood pressure and immunoglobulin A. Finally, an extract of horehound completes this synergy by having sedative and antispasmodic virtues which contribute to reducing stress and irritability.

[1] Mojtaba Khaksarian Masoud Behzadifar et al. "Efficacy of Crocus sativus (saffron) versus placebo and fluoxetine in the treatment of depression: systematic review and meta-analysis" Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2019 Apr 23;12:297-305. [2] Mohsen Mazidi, Maryam Shemshian et al. "A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of saffron (Cro- cus sativus L.) in the treatment of anxiety and depression", Randomized controlled trial J Complement Integr Med 2016 Jun 1;13(2):195-9. [3] Adrian L Lopresti , Stephen J Smith, etc. "An investigation into the anti-stress and pharmacological actions of an Ashwagandha SHO- DEN (Withania Somnifera) extract: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study" 2019 Sep;98(37). [4] Biswajit Auddy PhD, Jayaram Hazra, et al. "Highly dosed standardized extract of withania somnifera (35%) significantly reduces stress-related parameters in chronically stressed humans: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study"; JANA Vol, No 1, 2008. [5] Kenta Kimura, Makoto Ozeki" et al. "L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses" Randomized controlled trial Biol Psy- chol. 2007 Jan;74(1):39-45. [6] Ai Yoto , Mao Motoki et al. "Effects of L-theanine or caffeine intake on blood pressure changes under physical and psychological stress" Randomized controlled trial J Physiol Anthropol . 2012 Oct 29;31(1):28.

Nutritional information