Stress can stop us in our tracks
While it may be commonplace in today’s world, ongoing stress can have truly disastrous effects on your health, relationships, productivity and overall quality of life. [1]
Even the American Medical Association has acknowledged that stress is the basic cause of more than 60% of all human illness.
The fact is, you most likely won’t ever be healthy when you’re stressed out. Yet sadly, too many people take a Band-Aid approach to dealing with stress and end up doing themselves more harm than good.
We Are More Stressed and Overwhelmed Than Ever
According to recent statistics, over 40 million Americans suffer from serious mood disturbances each year. [2] And unfortunately, an ever-increasing number of Americans are only aware of what is heavily promoted by pharmaceutical options to try and cope. The result? Is limited results and dangerous side effects. According to the CDC, 1 in 10 Americans over age 12 is taking a mood enhancer, with a stunning 1 in 4 women aged 40-59 taking one. [3]
These options, although useful, don’t necessarily address the underlying cause of the problem. They may make the problem more difficult. Studies have linked many of these options to weight gain, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, headaches, severe or worsening depression and increased risk for suicide. [4,5,6,7]
Stress Can Literally KILL YOU
Our bodies are programmed to respond beautifully to short, intense periods of stress. There is even a “good stress” like a wedding or a birthday event. But prolonged “bad stress” like a death, divorce, or a difficult boss, triggers what is known as the “fight-or-flight” response. The body thinks this is a threat all the time. When we perceive a threat to our survival, our body is flooded with stress hormones that increase our strength and speed in anticipation of fighting or running. What happens with persistent bad stress, essentially, is that the fight-or-flight response never turns off. Stress hormones circulate throughout the bloodstream at elevated levels constantly. The human body is not equipped to deal with prolonged exposure to elevated levels of these hormones, and it begins to deteriorate rapidly, and health issues soon arise.
Overwhelming stress is linked to significant health problems ranging from despair, sleeplessness, cognitive decline, lowered immune and cardiovascular system function, weight gain and loss of libido. [8] The bottom line is, if you’re suffering from persistent stress, it’s imperative that you act now to keep it from destroying your health and taking years off your life.
Try Natural Stress Solutions First – Because They Work
Many are seeking an integrated option or more natural approach. There are natural ways to combat everyday stress and anxiety. Many people are skeptical of or have had limited success in trying the natural solutions out there. Plus, most people get next to no support from their circle of influence, which adds to their uncertainty and confusion.
But the fact is that there’s a vast body of scientific data out there showing that certain natural remedies really do work. For example, exercise is known to dramatically reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Another one is omega-3 fatty acid supplements, which have been shown to help boost mood and ease tension.
However, let’s look at an eye popping natural stress reducer. The research on an exciting nutrient for its proven ability to combat the effects of stress is eye popping indeed. Of course, this research doesn’t always show up on the 5 o’clock news. You won’t hear about it from most primary health care providers either. But share these incredible findings with others. They deserve to know about it.
The Most Powerful Stress Fighter Yet Discovered
Recent research has shown that an extract of a plant indigenous to South Africa called Sceletium tortuosum has amazing potential to mitigate the effects of stress, while boosting your mood, brainpower, and energy. Sceletium has shocked researchers with its remarkable ability to brighten mood, dissolve tension, and enhance cognitive function – all within as little as 30 minutes! [9,10]
Renowned medicine hunter, Chris Kilham, described the effects of sceletium with this simple metaphor:
“About half an hour after consuming sceletium… your mind is overcome with startling clarity, a feeling that anything is possible, and a seemingly endless capacity for ideas and mental work.”
Sceletium: The Brain on Happiness
Researchers are saying that sceletium’s mechanism of action is unlike anything they’ve seen before. Here how it works: Sceletium contains alkaloids that bind to 5-HT receptors in the brain keeping more serotonin in circulation. [11] More serotonin means better moods, better sleep, reduced food cravings and fewer aches and pains. At the same time, sceletium inhibits PDE4, an enzyme that regulates an important messenger substance called cAMP.
By inhibiting PDE4, more cAMP is available, and this has been shown to produce beneficial effects on mood and cognitive function in stressful situations. [11,12] What most people report after taking sceletium is that they feel a sense of relief and comfort and notice a lift in their mood and mental clarity within as little as 30 minutes.
The Incredible Benefits of Sceletium:
- Elevated mood and mental clarity
- Improved focus and memory
- Increased energy and motivation
- Lower stress hormone levels
- Decreased everyday anxiety
- Protection for heart health
- Support for immunity
- Reduced food cravings
- Increased libido
Additionally, sceletium is non-habit-forming and doesn’t induce drowsiness.
Make Sceletium a Buddy
There is currently only one patented, standardized sceletium extract available. It’s called Zembrin®, and it’s the only legal source of sceletium. If you plan to give sceletium a try (buddy), stick with the Zembrin brand as an ingredient. Additionally, Zembrin is the sceletium extract that was used in all the research studies demonstrating sceletium’s remarkable benefits.
Research has shown that the most effective dose is 25 mg per day, and this amount should only require one small dose per day.
Carefully Select Your Sceletium Supplement
Sceletium is one of the most exciting supplements out there today. The science behind it is rock solid; it works in as little as 30 minutes; and it’s safe and natural. The problem is, finding a high-quality sceletium supplement can be difficult. And the few supplements are made with the Unique & Patented Zembrin brand. Ask for this and only this from a source you trust.
1. Metab Clin Exper. 2002 Jun;51(6B):40-45.
2. Arch Gen Psych. 2005 Jun;62(6):617-27.
3. Laura A. Pratt, Ph.D., et al. Antidepressant Use in Persons Aged 12 and Over: United States, 2005-2008. NCHS Data Brief No. 76. October 2011. Retrieved 9/3/13. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db76.pdf
4. Can J Psychiatry. 2002;47(2):174-180.
5. Harris, G. Debate Resumes on the Safety of Depression’s Wonder Drugs. New York Times. 8/7/03.
6. Brit J Psychiatry. 2000; 177:551-6.
7. Cohen, JS. Suicides and Homicides in Patients Taking Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft: Why They Keep Happening – And Why They Will Continue. Underlying Causes That Continue to Be Ignored by Mainstream Medicine and the Media. The Medication Sense E-Newsletter. Oct.-Dec. 2003.
8. Stress in America: Our Health at Risk. American Psychology Association. 1/11/12. Retrieved 9/3/13. http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2011/final-2011.pdf
9. J Ethnopharmocol. 2008 Oct;119(3)653-663.
10. J Ethnopharmacology. 2009 Jan;121(1):86—91.
11. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2013; 1—9. Epub ahead of print 8/21/13. doi:10.1038/npp.2013.183
12. J Alt Comp Med. Epub ahead of print 2/26/13. doi:10.1089/acm.2012.0185.
