Morpheus

ZMA is a combination of zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6, that has been widely studied and it has been shown by clinical research to be an effective supplement for enhancing muscle recovery, boosting muscle size and strength, and even aiding fat loss. It does that through several mechanisms, but mostly allowing you to maximize the benefits of a good night sleep. We chose to use the bisglycinate form of magnesium and zinc, as the glycine molecule attach to them has a calming effect on the brain, and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate as vitamin B6, since it gets absorbed much better by the body.

Glycine is an amino acid and a neurotransmitter found in high-protein foods, including meat, fish, eggs, dairy and legumes. Among all the other benefits of glycine, studies have shown that higher levels of this amino acid truly impacts sleep in humans, by helping you fall asleep more quickly, increasing your sleep efficiency, reducing symptoms of insomnia, improving sleep quality and promoting deeper and more restful sleep.

Lemon balm has long been used to relieve common sleep disorders, such as insomnia and nightmares. Studies have shown that rosmarinic acid, which is highly concentrated in lemon balm extract, is the major compound responsible for the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity of this herb. It plays an important role by inhibiting GABA transaminase (GABA-T) and increasing GABA levels, which are responsible for reducing neuronal activity and preparing the body to get restful sleep.

Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid that gained a lot of notoriety in the last years due to its impressive ability to reduce cortisol, the hormone secreted during stressful events. It is crucial to have higher level of cortisol in the morning to promote wakefulness, but it is detrimental to maintain these levels in the evening and at night, when the body is preparing to have a restful night of sleep. Taking phosphatidylserine before sleep helps by bringing down cortisol, allowing the brain to slow down and ignite a healthy sleeping pattern.

L-theanine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in tea leaves and it considerably affects neurotransmitters. Research suggests that L-theanine affects sleep by influencing several of them and promoting relaxing brain activity. It readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, allowing it to rapidly affect neurotransmitters within the central nervous system. In particular, it has been shown to increase the concentration of GABA in the brain, to block glutamate from binding to cells in the brain and to also facilitate sleep through its effects on brain waves.

The valerian plant is an herb native to Asia and Europe, whose medical usage dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. Researchers have demonstrated how valerenic acid in valerian root affects GABA receptors, specifically easing anxiety. Valerian root also impacts serotonin receptors, which are involved in mood and sleep, it reduces brain activity in the motor cortex, as well as change how brain waves in different parts of the brain work together in response to stress and anxiety.

Chamomile extract needs no introduction, as its use dates back to ancient Greece. Several chamomile formulations have been used throughout the years to treat insomnia and to induce sedation and they are commonly utilized as a mild tranquillizer and sleep-inducer. Chamomile is particularly effective at inducing drowsiness because of its chemical structure. The plant extract contains apigenin, a chemical compound that induces sleepiness when it binds to the GABA receptors in the brain.

Hops is a bitter-tasting plant that is popularly known for its use in beer. Several studies have demonstrated that hops supplements can help stabilize circadian rhythms and lessen the symptoms of shift work disorder. Dried hops flowers contain the acids humulone and lupulone, and their relationship with the body’s GABA receptors are the reason for hops’ sedating and tranquilizing effects.

Melatonin is a sleep-regulating hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland in a circadian rhythm, really low in the morning and at its peak at night. A wide range of factors can suppress melatonin production, particularly night-time exposure to blue light, but also aging and some diseases. In our current age, where late night exposure to screens and other sources of blue light is far too common, supplementation with exogenous melatonin plays a key role in rebalancing the lost circadian rhythm, allowing to initiate sleep quickly and mitigating sleep-related anxiety.

Despite being an overall really beneficial herb, with several proven health benefits (including cortisol reduction), we decided to avoid including it in our formula, as it has been shown to induce intense nightmares in a good amount of people. Given that a stress-free sleeping experience is our goal here, including ashwagandha would have caused the exact opposite in a good cohort of people.

Many companies advertise their supplements as "pure" or "natural", hoping you won't go and read the ingredients list where you'll find artificial flavours and colourings. All of our supplements are only flavoured with natural substances, keeping the taste nice and natural and providing you one of the shortest ingredients list on the market.

Whatever the excuse the manufacturer and/or the distributor would use, we can assure you that a quality product won't need any of these toxic ingredients. We only use stevia as a natural sweetener and we don't use any filler or additive, not even the wide-spread silicon dioxide, which some recent medical literature has linked to health problems. Our commitment to you is to deliver a 100% natural product.