How to use Lemon Balm for Anxiety Relief & Memory Improvement

Lemon Balm is a memory boosting, anti-anxiety nootropic also known as Melissa officinalis.

It is a plant from the mint family and considered to be a calming herb that has been used for many centuries in medicinal contexts.

It was administered as long ago as the Middle Ages to help reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and even ease pain and discomfort. More recent studies point to using Lemon Balm as a cognitive enhancer able to improve processing speed and memory.

Although it is native to Europe, the plant is now grown all over the world for use as a natural nutritional supplement. The Lemon Balm plant grows up to two feet in height and the leaves are very deeply wrinkled, ranging in color from dark to yellowish green.

Lemon Balm

Herbal Supplement

Mood

Sleep

Stress

How It Works:

• Helps to support a positive mood
• Promotes healthy sleep patterns
• Alleviates stress and boosts relaxation

Dosage:

Between 1.5 - 4.5 g per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Lemon Balm Effects:

The effects of Lemon Balm are numerous and varied, driven by many different chemical compounds found within this plant and its extracts.

One of the active ingredients in Lemon Balm supplements is eugenol which has been shown calm muscles and even numb tissues.

Terpenes are additional ingredients that are thought to add to the soothing effects of the supplement.

Lemon Bam extract also contains rosmarinic acid which has been found to inhibit GABA transaminase. This enzyme works to remove GABA when it is released by your neurons at the synaptic cleft. By inhibiting the transaminase enzyme, Lemon Balm an effectively increase GABA activity in the brain.

GABA is one of the inhibitory neurotransmitters, used by your brain to prevent over-excitement and attain balance. It is responsible for ensuring that we are not overly stressed and plays a role in sleep cycles.

Increasing stimulation of GABA receptors will produce a sedative or calming effect and explains why Lemon Balm works as an anti-anxiety supplement. Other anxiolytic nootropics such as Phenibut and Picamilon also work by utilizing GABA pathways but with slightly different mechanisms of action.

Lemon Balm also exhibits activity at nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in the brain which makes it a great natural supplement for brain hacking. These receptors respond to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which is integral to working memory capacity, memory formation, logical analysis and basic cognition skills.

Lemon Balm is considered to have cholinergic binning properties and may have some positive effects on individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

In a 2003 study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, individuals given Lemon Balm were recorded to have improved attention accuracy scores as well as better working memory and secondary memory performance. Individuals also experienced greater calmness and alertness when taking this supplement.

Furthermore, Lemon Balm is considered to be an adaptogens meaning that it helps the body deal with external stressors in the environment. Many of the ingredients in Lemon Balm are also thought to kill bacteria and possibly even certain viruses.

A number of tannins are believed to contribute to the antiviral effects. This also may explain why the supplement has strong anti-oxidant properties.

Lemon Balm Benefits:

The most common use of Lemon Balm as a supplement is for anti-anxiety purposes. It is used to promote relaxation and deep, restful sleep. Many user report that stress seems to melt away when using this supplement along with irritability, nervousness, and even depression.

Lemon Balm and similar preparations have also been shown to improve mental performance. Healthy users have reported increases in memory, learning capacity, and even sensory perceptions in some cases.

Lemon Balm extract is also known to be a very potent anti-oxidant. This means that it may augment immune system functioning and provide protection against inflammation, infection, and disease.

This also may relate somehow to it anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. The plants leaves were used even before the Middle Ages for wound healing, and especially treating venomous insect bites and stings.

Lemon Balm may also provide relief from conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome and digestive problems ranging from bloating, gas, vomiting, heartburn, colic, and even poor appetite. Many women find that this supplement can help them with menstrual pain and even serves to stimulate the menstrual period in cases of weak or absent cycles.

The supplement may also help to protect the heart and cardiovascular system. Many users have experienced relief from heart palpitations, allergic reactions, and rapid heartbeat.

Lemon Balm Dosage:

The generally accepted dosage range for Lemon Balm is between 300 and 500 mg per day.

Using Lemon Balm for other purposes (like as a sleep aid or anxiolytic) may require slightly higher amounts, but there is no officially determined dose for these cases. As such, deciding how much to use may require a bit of experimentation.

Lemon Balm may also be used in a number of different formulations such as in a tea or as a topical skin rub. New users are always advised to start out with the lowest effective dose and only increase from there gradually.

Lemon Balm Side Effects:

Lemon Balm is considered to be a very safe natural herb. In fact, this compound is sometimes even given in small amounts to babies who have colic. Most users will not experience any side effects when taking this nootropic.

The only known side effect of Lemon Balm is that it may cause an increase in drowsiness. It would probably not be a good idea to drive or operate machinery until you know how the supplement affects you.

There may be some people who have unique reactions to this supplement. It would not be recommended for someone using anti-anxiety drugs, anti-histamines, muscle relaxants, anti-seizure drugs, sedatives, or tranquilizers.

Lemon Balm Review:

Lemon Balm is one of the most underrated nootropic supplements. While it is regarded best for its anxiolytic properties, this herbal extract also has been proven to improve memory, attention, accuracy and reasoning skills. It works on both the acetylcholine and GABA systems in the brain, boosting your mood and leading to greater synaptic plasticity.

Lemon Balm can be taken by almost any healthy adult and can kick your immune system into overdrive. If you are currently using other medications for anxiety or depression, it would be best to speak to your doctor before you consider adding this supplement to your daily routine.

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