- Central nervous system (CNS) neurotransmitter.
- Produced naturally from Lactobacillus hilgardii.
- Quality and safety recognised by a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expert panel.
CBD and melatonin are natural substances that have long been recognised for re-establishing restorative sleep and promoting relaxation. Now for the first time, SuperSmart is combining them in an exceptional formulation available to buy in vegetarian capsules, probably the best alternative to sleeping tablets for re-establishing restorative sleep naturally and durably.
This highly innovative formulation is for anyone affected by the following:
It is suitable for men and women of all ages. It’s particularly good for anyone with an unhealthy lifestyle, or who spends too much time in front of a screen, who works in an office or who has low levels of physical activity.
Melatonin is a hormone derived from serotonin, which is secreted by the pineal gland, primarily during the hours of darkness. Often referred to as the ‘sleep hormone’, it is crucial for regulating our circadian rhythms, particularly the sleep/wake cycle. It signals to the body where it is in the day/night cycle and promotes sleepiness at appropriate times.
Unfortunately, production of this hormone is nowadays significantly impaired by artificial light. At the end of the day, when the retina senses the decrease in light levels, a neural signal is sent to stimulate the production of melatonin and the start of the sleep process. Exposure to artificial light during these key hours thus has a deeply negative effect: melatonin secretion falls dramatically, only to resume later, causing an untimely peak in its production which results in fatigue and sleepiness in the morning (1). This is exacerbated by exposure to the blue light emitted by screens.
Melatonin production also declines with age, due to calcification of the pineal gland (2) and decreased melatonin receptor sensitivity. Indeed, studies have shown that after the age of 60, the deep and REM (or paradoxical) phases of sleep decline sharply and night-time waking increases.
Taking an external source of melatonin before bed is a recognised natural solution to correcting impaired melatonin secretion. Its effects have been demonstrated in people with and without sleep problems (3-4). Unlike drugs, it works without disrupting the different stages of sleep and causes no residual effects the following morning.
Various studies show that to obtain maximum efficacy, you need to take melatonin for a minimum of 3-4 days. However, use of this hormone at low doses (as is the case here) should not be prolonged indefinitely, 4 weeks at most, by which time things will be back to normal.
CBD does not induce sleep per se, but it helps promote relaxation, vasodilation and pain relief. It is a phytocannabinoid molecule found in hemp (Cannabis sativa) along with the well-known psychotropic substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). But unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive effect – it will not get you ‘high’.
CBD is very similar to the endocannabinoid messengers produced by the body to trigger various responses (pain modulation (6-7), reduction in spontaneous locomotion (8-9), relaxation, hypothermia… (10)). Such is its similarity, it is (to varying degrees) able to bind to the same receptors and trigger the same sort of chain reactions. These receptors are primarily found on cell surfaces in the brain, central nervous system and immune system tissues.
What are the main elements of the chain reaction triggered?
It’s an important element of the formulation as a lack of sleep is very often linked to stress.
The CBD in this formulation is extracted from the leaves of Cannabis sativa, using supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO₂). This is an alternative mode of extraction to the organochlorine solvents normally used in such processes, but which are potentially harmful to the environment. Very eco-friendly, sCO₂ both ensures the final product is free from solvent residues and helps maintain the chemical integrity of the heat-sensitive molecules. It is odourless, colourless, non-toxic and non-inflammable and is completely safe for our health and our environment.
Daily dose: 1 capsule Number of doses per pack: 60 |
Amount per dose |
Cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from non-psychotropic hemp leaf standardised to 17% CBD | 5 mg |
Melatonin | 1,5 mg |
Other ingredients: acacia gum, rice flour. |
PharmaGABA® 125mg is a dietary supplement containing GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) for inner relaxation. It’s a neurotransmitter which helps to inhibit the central nervous system which has been produced naturally by the fermentation process of Lactobacillus hilgardii.
GABA has been available in supplement form for several decades. However, this new form of GABA is much more effective. Once ingested, it is easily absorbed by the body.
PharmaGABA is produced naturally through fermentation of Lactobacillus hilgardii, a beneficial bacteria used for fermenting vegetables in the traditional Korean dish kimchi. The vast majority of GABA supplements are produced synthetically from pyrrolidinone.
GABA is a metabolic product specific to microorganisms and so is not found in fresh foods but in fermented ones, such as kefir, kimchi, miso, sauerkraut, tempeh and yogurt.
Some studies (1) suggest that flavonoids (such as those found in plants and cutting-edge supplements like Grapefruit Extract 99% naringin) may enhance GABA’s efficacy.
Combining PharmaGABA with adaptogen plant extracts such as Super Ashwagandha and Rhodiola rosea also makes sense.
Glutamate, an ionised form of glutamic acid, is one of the most important neurotransmitters of the central nervous system and is a precursor of GABA. Metabolism of GABA and glutamate are thus closely related. However, unlike GABA, glutamate contributes to prolonged neuronal excitation.
Daily serving: 1 capsule Number of servings per bottle: 60 |
Quantity per serving |
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) (from 125 mg of PharmaGABA® standardised to 80% GABA) | 100 mg |
Other ingredients: Acacia gum |
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