A review of The Relax Capsules from Innermost - a vegan food supplement said to reduce stress, relieve anxiety, promote relaxation and aid sleep. Find out what ingredients are in it and whether it works!
The Relax Capsules from Innermost were bought by The Happy Sage. This article contains affiliate links - full disclosure here.
The Relax Capsules from Innermost are a blend of nootropic and adaptogenic ingredients said to reduce stress, relieve anxiety, promote relaxation and help you get a good night's sleep.
I have been testing these capsules for just over three weeks, which I feel has given them a good run. There are 60 capsules in a jar, which is 30 servings.
So, what's all this 'nootropic' and 'adaptogenic' stuff then? Both nootropics and adaptogens are meant to help you think, feel and perform better.
What are nootropics?
A nootropic is basically anything that has an effect on the brain. Whilst there are many prescription medicines that do this, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine are also nootropic.
Certain nootropics have been said to promote clarity of thinking, support memory, learning and focus as well as improving creativity.
What is an adaptogen?
An adaptogen is usually an ingredient used in herbal medicine and the whole point of it is to help the body adapt.
They can work in many ways, for instance if you are stressed they can help calm a busy mind, if you are tired they can help give you a boost. Adaptogens are said to help normalise all areas of the body for improved overall well-being, basically helping the body get a re-set.
If you have problems swallowing tablets, what about an aromatherapy pillow mist to help you drop off to sleep?
Innermost The Relax Capsules - ingredients
This is where I think the product gets quite interesting. If you were to think of certain supplements that can help with reducing stress and anxiety then this product is certainly targeting the right ones. The ingredients (in order of concentration) are:
Lion's Mane Mushroom - 350mg per serving
What is it?
Lion's Mane Mushroom has been used for years in Asian cuisine and Chinese medicine.
What does it do?
Lion's Mane is said to help improve focus, productivity and overall well-being. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and is also said to boost the immune system by increasing activity in the intestines. It is also believed to reduce depression and anxiety.
A lot of the research around Lion's Mane has been done in test tubes or with animals and whilst this is not perfect for comparing to humans, it does give a good indicator.
I did however find a study carried out on menopausal women who took it for 4 weeks and reported lower anxiety and depression (Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericum erinaceus intake. Mayuma Nagano et al 2010).
One of the benefits is that there appears to be no risk of addiction or withdrawal symptoms if usage is stopped.
L-Glycine - 250mg per serving
What is it?
L-Glycine is an amino acid that the body uses to support whole body health.
What does it do?
L-Glycine supports the metabolism and may protect against muscle loss. It also has other qualities in that it is believed to help you fall asleep quickly, reduce insomnia and increase sleep quality. Importantly, it also plays a major role in collagen which is the most abundant protein in the whole body, being responsible for skin, muscles, ligaments and cartilage.
Ashwagandha - 200mg per serving
What is it?
Many people will have heard of Ashwagandha, it's an ancient Ayurvedic adaptogenic herb and is often recommended for symptoms related to the menopause, including sleep problems.
What does it do?
Ashwagandha is said to reduces stress and anxiety and ease depression. It helps calm nervous energy and promotes inner calm whilst moderating the body's response to stress. It also assists in promoting deep sleep.
Valerian Root - 100mg per serving
What is it?
You can often find Valerian root as an ingredient in herbal teas and it comes from a plant that is native to Asia and Europe.
What does it do?
There have been multiple studies done on Valerian root and it helps anxiety and depression as well as poor sleep patterns. It is said to reduce the amount of time that it takes to fall asleep and helps achieve better sleep without any drowsiness the following day.
5-HTP - 100mg per serving
What is it?
5-HTP is produced by the body from an amino acid called tryptophan. The 5-HTP in The Relax Capsules comes from Griffonia seed extract (part of a West African plant).
What does it do?
5-HTP is said to be key in the production of serotonin, which is our 'happy hormone'. Serotonin is responsible for a huge amount of things in the body including mood and well-being, sleep, appetite, pain and depression to name but a few.
As well as serotonin, 5-HTP also helps with the production of the hormone melatonin which is needed for good sleep/wake cycles and which helps insomnia by normalising sleep patterns.
L-Theanine - 100mg per serving
What is it?
L-Theanine is another amino acid found in some mushrooms, as well as black and green tea. Matcha tea is said to have the highest concentrations of L-Theanine.
What does it do?
L-Theanine is said to ease anxiety and stress as well as reduce insomnia. Other reported benefits include better mental focus, relaxation, reduction in blood pressure and improved immune system.
The only other ingredient is the actual vegan capsule shell itself, so a nice clean product as far as ingredients go. Relax Capsules are also lactose free, vegan, gluten free, halal, GMO, soy and cruelty free.
How do you take Innermost Relax Capsules?
Dosage for Innermost The Relax Capsules
Just take 2 capsules (1 serving) before you go to sleep (I take them about 30 minutes before I go to bed).
Innermost Relax Capsules - review
Innermost ran user trials on Relax Capsules. This was on 63 people over 30 days, keeping a daily diary and completing a survey at the end of 30 days. > 90% of people reported getting better sleep, > 86% of people felt less anxious and > 84% of people felt less stressed.
So how did I find them? I don't normally have any issues getting to sleep. However about a month ago I had so much going on in my life that although my body was tired my mind would not switch off and I was finding it hard to get to sleep. A perfect time to test Innermost Relax Capsules!
They definitely work, no doubt about it. Not only did I drop off to sleep quickly but I had better sleep, as evidenced by my smart watch tracker.
I found that there was a cumulative effect in that after about 5 - 7 days of taking them I noticed that I was much more chilled during the day. It's hard to describe but I was much more 'meh' about things that would normally irritate the hell out of me! Other benefits that I noticed were general relaxation, good mood and these took a little longer to kick in, or maybe it was because I was getting some decent sleep!
Either way, I am impressed with the product and the company. Innermost do not use any additional additives, colours, fillers or GMO in their products, they have a visible supply chain and batch test all ingredients received. The product ordered also arrived the next day, so top marks to Innermost for delivery too.
They do a range of other products and you can take an on-line quiz for some personal recommendations based on your requirements and goals.
Innermost Relax are £18.95 for 60 capsules, with 20% off for subscribers to regular orders.
The only way I will really know just how good the product is will be when I stop taking them shortly and see what happens to my mood. I may be back with an update!
You may also be interested in my article on The Benefits of Magnesium and how it can help you with anxiety and relaxation, or maybe The different types of anxiety and symptoms or a Look at tools for managing anxiety naturally without medication.
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