When facing acute stress or sleep deprivation, many people will readily take conventional medications. Commonly prescribed drugs for anxiety and insomnia include benzodiazepines like Xanax, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Zoloft, and beta-blockers like Inderal.
But while these medicines are undeniably effective against stress and sleeplessness, they may trigger a slew of unpleasant reactions.
In light of the adverse events associated with conventional stress and sleep medications, many wellness enthusiasts are now switching to natural interventions like lemon balm gummies.
This post explores how lemon balm gummies can alleviate anxiety and insomnia.
Photo Credit: Troomy.com
What Are Lemon Balm Gummies?
Lemon balm gummies are essentially gummy bears formulated with lemon balm as the principal bioactive ingredient. The gummies provide a fancier and more palatable way to consume one of nature’s most therapeutic herbs.
There’s an abundance of research citing lemon balm gummies for their incredible healing properties, including the ability to relieve stress and anxiety.
How Do Lemon Balm Gummies Treat Anxiety?
Lemon balm gummies exhibit similar biological effects as most anxiolytic medications, except that they present minimal risks of adverse effects. The supplements relieve stress primarily by activating the brain’s signaling of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter renowned for its calming properties.
Increasing GABA levels in the body helps alleviate stress through various mechanisms. It notably inhibits the enzymes that break down this essential neurotransmitter, such as GABA-transaminase.
By blocking the activity of GAGA-transaminase, lemon balm gummies elevate the GABA levels in the brain, resulting in relaxation.
Lemon balm gummies are loaded with numerous compounds responsible for their positive effects on GABA levels. Those include rosmarinic acid, triterpenoids, and flavonoids.
Studies on the Efficacy of Lemon Balm Gummies for Stress
One small experiment examined the anxiolytic effects of consuming lemon balm-containing foods.
After ingesting lemon balm-infused drinks and yogurts, the study subjects underwent stressful activities like multitasking and engaging in simulated public speaking.
Researchers observed a marked decrease in anxiety levels among participants who consumed specific lemon balm doses. The herb was particularly effective against mood swings, a major anxiety symptom.
While this study focused on other lemon balm preparations, similar effects may be achieved by lemon balm gummies.
Why Take Lemon Balm Gummies For Stress?
You’re probably wondering why you should consume lemon balm gummies in the first place. After all, you could still unlock the herb’s anxiolytic properties by administering it via other routes.
Well, lemon balm gummies provide compounded anxiolytic benefits compared to other lemon balm formulations. That’s mainly due to the chewing effect, which studies have linked to reduced anxiety.
According to one experiment, the act of chewing may fight stress by suppressing the areas of the brain that respond to irritant stimuli. Chewing also stimulates the activity of the brain regions responsible for stress management, such as the prefrontal cortex.
Are Lemon Balm Gummies Effective Against Insomnia?
Stress and anxiety are co-related. Indeed, multiple studies have established a causal relationship between persistent anxiety and sleep deprivation.
Anxious feelings can trigger insomnia by prolonging your sleep onset latency. This results in inadequate sleep, which presents irritability as a core symptom.
So, it’s unsurprising that most antianxiety medications possess sleep-aiding benefits as well.
By soothing the nerves, lemon balm gummies may shorten sleep latency, consequently boosting your sleep quality. The supplements might also fend off nightmares and flashbacks associated with traumatic events, keeping you asleep all night long.
An older study found that co-administering lemon balm with valerian may treat restlessness and sleep deprivation in children.
After 900 children were introduced to regular doses of lemon balm and valerian, over 80% exhibited remarkable improvements in their overall sleep quality, while 70% became less restless. None of the participants experienced worrying adverse events, underscoring the safety of lemon balm supplements in managing stress and sleep problems.
However, it’s worth noting that the chewing action may mildly stimulate the brain. An overactive brain might keep you awake for undesirably longer.
To make the most of lemon balm gummies for sleep, consider chewing them about an hour before bedtime.
Other Potential Therapeutic Benefits of Lemon Balm Gummies
- Relaxing Muscles
Chewing lemon balm gummies may soothe your muscles, making it a welcome post-workout supplement.
A review of earlier studies found that products infused with higher lemon balm concentrations exhibited muscle relaxation in animal models.
- Treating Cold Sores
Lemon balm has traditionally been used to treat cold sores, thanks to its potent antiviral properties.
A 2023 review suggests that lemon balm may relieve cold sores by inhibiting the causative virus, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), from binding to and replicating in body cells.
- Relieving Indigestion
Lemon balm gummies are loaded with phenolic compounds and ethanolic extracts.
According to a 2023 test tube experiment, both compounds possess powerful gastroprotective properties. They’ve been linked to reduced risks of indigestion, flatulence, and alcohol-induced ulcers.
Chewing Anxiety Away With Lemon Balm Gummies
Lemon balm gummies are incredibly effective against stress and its adverse effects, including anxiety and insomnia. These natural supplements alleviate stressful feelings without triggering the unpleasant reactions associated with synthetic medications like SSRIs.
However, you’ll need to observe proper dosage recommendations to enjoy the therapeutic properties of lemon balm gummies. Multiple findings indicate that lemon balm is generally safe at daily doses of up to 500 mg consumed for up to six months.
It’s also essential to ensure your lemon balm gummies are strictly formulated from all-natural compounds. Shun products that are laced with synthetic ingredients, particularly those associated with known health complications.
