Stress on your mind? Discover ingredients that may help support

And a little stress is totally normal. But when it starts to pile up and stick around, it can mess with both your mind and body.¹

The good news? We're diving into the world of emerging stress-supporting vitamins, minerals, herbs and amino acids that may help support your body’s response to stress. So that you can stay calm, cool and collected (even when life isn’t).

Let’s talk about ashwagandha – a tongue-twister of a herb with chill vibes. Used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, this adaptogen is best known for helping the body handle stress and feel more balanced overall.²

Some early studies suggest it may help lower cortisol levels, which tends to spike when you’re stuck in “fight or flight” mode.^3,4,5

Ashwagandha is a traditional herb known for helping the body manage stress. This review looked at studies from 2000 to 2022 to see how effective and safe it is for reducing stress and anxiety. Nine clinical trials with a total of 558 participants were analysed. The results showed that Ashwagandha significantly reduced stress, anxiety and cortisol (a stress hormone) levels compared to a placebo.⁵

Some mild to moderate side effects were reported, but overall, Ashwagandha appears to be helpful for stress and anxiety. More research is needed to confirm its long-term safety.⁵

Saffron isn’t just for tasty recipes, this golden spice, hand-harvested from delicate crocus flowers, has been getting attention for its potential mood-supporting and stress-soothing benefits. We’re still learning exactly how it works but early studies suggest saffron could help take the edge off when life gets overwhelming.⁶

One standout? Safr’Inside™ – a clinically studied saffron extract. In a small study with 20 healthy men, it showed promise in helping the body respond better to stress and improving how we mentally deal with it.⁷

Taking 30mg a day (with at least 0.2% safranal) may help improve mood and lower stress and anxiety after about eight weeks – based on three fairly reliable studies in healthy adults comparing it to a placebo.⁸

Korean ginseng (a form of Panax ginseng) shows promising, though modest evidence for helping with mental wellbeing under stress. It seems to be able to help reduce feelings of fatigue (especially in those already fatigued) and helps stabilise mood (preventing dips), rather than pushing mood extremely high. It’s also been noted to improve calmness and helps in maintaining cognitive performance under pressure.^9,10

These effects likely come through its action on stress hormones, brain neurotransmitters and cellular protections (anti‑inflammation, antioxidants, neuroprotection). However, it’s important to note that while the current findings are encouraging, the review highlights the value of conducting larger, more diverse studies to build a clearer understanding.^9,10

Maca root has earned a bit of a superfood status – and for good reason. Some people say it helps them with handling both the emotional and physical effects of stress.¹¹ Packed with amino acids and antioxidants, maca may help bring your body back into balance.¹²

While the science is still catching up, plenty of fans say they feel more relaxed, energised and ready to take on the day after adding maca to their routine. Think of it as a little root with big potential.

These healthy fats aren’t just good for your heart – omega-3s (DHA) are thought to support brain function and may even help you handle stress a little better. How? They can influence the way your brain produces and responds to key mood-regulating chemicals.¹³

One small but promising study (with 33 participants in a double-blind trial) suggests omega-3s might play a role in keeping your mood more balanced. In short: feeding your brain the good stuff could help keep the stress spirals at bay.^14,15

Zinc is a vital mineral in the brain: it helps with neuron signalling, supports synaptic plasticity and plays a role in antioxidant defence. As we age, zinc levels in the body (and in the brain) tend to decline, which may weaken these protective and functional roles.¹⁶ When zinc is too low, the risk of cognitive decline, memory impairment and neural aging increases.¹⁶

One review highlights that maintaining good zinc balance is linked to better cognitive health, possibly by supporting processes like neurogenesis (making new neurons), regulating oxidative stress and modulating inflammation.¹⁶

So, in plain terms: zinc seems to help our brains stay sharp, especially as we get older, and may buffer against stress-related damage by defending neurons and keeping inflammation in check. Its benefits aren’t magical or instantaneous but it’s one of those foundational nutrients that supports resilience in the long run.

A study looking at guarana in active people found that those who took it before and after exercise reacted more quickly and more consistently than those given a placebo. Participants also reported feeling more alert.^17,18,19

Guarana contains caffeine, researchers suggest that other compounds in the plant – things like tannins, saponins, flavonoids – may work alongside caffeine to enhance or prolong its cognitive effects.^17,18,19

The extract shows promising signs of helping people stay sharp and alert – especially when challenged physically – by speeding up attention, making responses more consistent and supporting mental performance under stress. The evidence is still relatively limited but it’s compelling enough to encourage more research.

Curcumin is a natural compound found in the root of the turmeric plant – the same one that gives curry its bright yellow colour. It’s thought to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which means it might help protect the body and reduce inflammation.²⁰

One study looked at healthy older adults taking a specific curcumin supplement (Longvida®, 400 mg/day) over 12 weeks. Results showed that those taking curcumin had better working memory performance by the end of the trial, particularly in mental tasks. They also reported feeling less fatigued at both four and 12 weeks and experienced improvements in certain mood measures – like reduced tension and confusion – especially early on.²¹

While not all results were significant, the findings suggest curcumin may help support working memory, reduce mental fatigue and subtly lift mood in healthy older adults, making it a promising option as we age.²¹

So if you’re feeling that way, then kick back with our guide to relaxing like a pro and check out our expert-approved me-time moves.

*This product is not suitable if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medications, or have endocrine disorders, liver or heart problems, or clinical depression. This product is not intended for use by persons under the age of 18.