Rising Trends in Stress Management Supplements

If there is one thing we can all agree upon, it is that meditation, exercises and relaxation techniques are much needed today to break the stress cycles. Consumers are looking for ways to combat physical and mental stress and stress-induced anxiety. As a result, there is a rise in the demand for supplements for stress.

According to Coherent Market Insights, the global brain health supplements market was estimated at USD 7 million in 2020 and is expected to surpass USD 13.4 million by 2027 at a CAGR of 8.5%.[i]

Why are stress management supplements trending?

Consumers have been found juggling between deadlines, job loss, financial constraints, economic crisis, daily health care issues, politics, and so much more. Stress is increasingly becoming a global issue as it affects both physical and mental health. This, in turn, has been found to disturb productivity, concentration, and memory.

A study conducted by Mental Health America (formerly the National Mental Health Association) suggests that stress costs US employers an estimated USD 500 billion in lost productivity annually.[ii]

Individually, consumers go through stress-induced anxiety, negativity, under-eating, or sleep disturbances resulting in a catch-22 situation where they are unable to sleep due to stress and are stressed due to lack of sleep.

Thus, supplements for anxiety and stress formulated with various stress-reducing ingredients such as ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea, and vitamins are increasingly trending to support mental health.

How does stress impact mental health?

Stress can negatively impact mental health and has been found to contribute to a wide range of problems, including:

Stress-induced anxiety
Frustration
Irritability, anger, or aggressiveness
Sadness
Moodiness
Social difficulties; and more

What are the benefits of managing stress?

The benefits of relieving stress include helping with:

Better sleep
Inducing a sense of control
Concentration and creativity
Stress-induced anxiety
Reducing muscle tension and lighter mood
Work productivity
Weight management [iii] [iv] [v]

Trending ingredients for stress management

Anti-stress supplements that are trending among consumers include:

1. Lemon Balm: Lemon balm has been found useful for anxiety and stress. According to a study, lemon balm is said to have shown measurable improvements in mood and cognitive performance by reducing stress levels.[vi]

2. Ginseng: Panax ginseng (also known as Korean, Asian, or Chinese ginseng) is often applauded for its anti-stress properties. Research suggests that it helps stabilize the hormonal changes and the immune and nervous system response caused by stress.

3. Apocynumvenetum: This plant species from the dogbane family is widely known as a traditional medicine that has been found to help relieve stress-induced anxiety and soothe nerves.[vii]

4. GABA: GABA, also known as gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a natural chemical produced by the brain that acts as an anti-anxiety neurotransmitter. When orally consumed, it helps relieve anxiety, reduces premenstrual symptoms, and aids mood improvement.[viii]

5. Rhodiola Rosea: The Rhodiola Rosea is a herbal adaptogen that may help reduce stress symptoms such as stress-induced anxiety and fatigue. An 8-week study showed significant improvement in sleep quality, memory, and concentration.[ix]

6. Melatonin: Melatonin is another naturally produced hormone in the body that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. The levels of this hormone increase when it gets dark. Melatonin in supplement form helps improve sleep quality.

7. Magnesium: An essential mineral for muscle and nerve function, magnesium is also known to be crucial for sleep and may help reduce tension, and aid mood improvement.[x] [xi]

8. Valerian Root: One of the widely known stress relief supplements is the Valerian Root. It is researched as a natural sleep aid that may help reduce stress-induced anxiety and stress-related sleeping difficulties, due to its calming effects.

9. Vitamin B-Complex: Made up of 8 B vitamins, the B-complex is essential for brain and heart health. The B-vitamins are known for nutritionally supporting energy levels and cognitive performance.

10. L-theanine: This is an amino acid found in tea leaves. Studies show that it can help promote relaxation, improve memory and attention, and aids stress-induced anxiety relief.

11. Glycine: Glycine is an amino acid that the body uses to create proteins. Studies suggest that it helps increase the body’s ability to resist stress by promoting a good night’s sleep. It has been found to have a calming effect on the brain and help stimulate the production of serotonin – the feel-good hormone.

12. Ashwagandha: Owing to its ayurvedic herbal stature, Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that helps reduce stress and anxiety.[xii] One study linked this ingredient to a 44% reduction in stress levels. Ashwagandha has also been found to help reduce morning levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, by 23%.

13. Kava: Kava contains active compounds called kavalactones, which have been studied for their stress-reducing properties. It is commonly used to help deal with stress, restlessness, stress-induced anxiety, and occasional sleeplessness.[xiii]

Why investing in stress management is the right decision and what’s the market like?

After the immune-boosting category, sleep and stress supplements are the two biggest areas that are growing. These two are climbing the top with everything going on as a part of the self-care movement.

The 2020 CRN (Council Responsible for Nutrition) data from the Consumer survey on dietary supplements reported that 13% of overall users consume supplements to support their mental health. At the same time, 14% of users consume supplements to support their sleep. This again varies according to the demographic.[xiv]

Another report suggests that sleep aids and stress management supplements are among the fastest-growing category of supplements.

Smart supplement brand owners are educating and accumulating new consumers through innovative marketing, especially those interested in identifying new natural ways to support their health. Organizations that specialize in stress-relief supplement solutions, for example, are creating larger portfolios and marketing outreach to connect with consumers regarding the ingredients that are in vogue today.

Consumer interest in adaptogenic herbs is growing, including Ashwagandha, Panax ginseng, Rhodiola Rosea, eleuthero, Schisandra, among the rest.

The reason for this lies in the fact that these botanicals are well-known and are scientifically supported for stress-mitigating effects. Additionally, they have been found to help support energy, endurance, and stamina.

Everything is connected: Stress and sleep decline have been found to go together, so as the demand for supplements that help reduce stress grows, the demand for sleep-support supplements will likely increase. Moreover, sleep is crucial for maintaining immunity – so technically, everything is connected!

Athletes – Another segment that we cannot overlook. Adaptogens like ashwagandha can help athletes complete their workouts by helping support mental stamina, reducing fatigue, and improving strength while aiding protection against stress. This is a potential market that new and existing supplement brand owners can tap into.[xv] [xvi]

Overall, the stress and sleep management market looks promising. Brand owners coming up with innovative supplement solutions that support stress and overall well-being are expected to capture a larger market share.[xvii]

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References:

[i] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201001005590/en/Global-Brain-Health-Supplements-Market-to-Surpass-US-13492.6-Million-by-2027-Says-Coherent-Market-Insights-CMI

[ii] https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-organizationalbehavior/chapter/consequences-and-costs-of-stress/

[iii] https://www.lark.com/blog/ten-life-changing-benefits-of-managing-stress-lark/

[iv] https://www.harishsaras.com/stress-management/importance-of-stress-management-in-the-workplace/

[v] https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/topics/health-conditions/heart-health/manage-stress

[vi] https://www.thehealthy.com/mental-health/stress/herbs-that-can-help-ease-stress/

[vii] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23802359.2020.1780171

[viii] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-464/gamma-aminobutyric-acid-gaba

[ix] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamins-for-stress

[x] https://takecareof.com/articles/best-vitamins-supplements-for-stress-and-anxiety

[xi] https://www.unived.in/blog/vitamins-and-supplements-to-reduce-anxiety-and-stress/