Recommendation for a Great Sleep
and Relaxation Aid....Tranquilo
-by Dr. Bob Berger, MS, MVSc, PhD.
There are many sleep, relaxation, and anti-anxiety supplements out
there....some fit the bill, (i.e., actually work)....but many do not. As a
Biochemist and pharmacologist with a background in Clinical Nutrition,
when doing a product evaluation, I not only consider the ingredients in a
product or supplement, (as well as the concentration of each individual
ingredient), but how the ingredients work in unison...i.e., their synergy.
Although there are six (6) blended ingredients listed in Tranquilo, and all
are very important not only as individual ingredients but as components
that interact together, the two (2) that I wish to focus on are Phenibut and
(briefly) on Mulungu Tree Bark.
In a recent Russian study, investigators showed that rats with "global"
cerebral ischemia, (wide-range lack of oxygen to the brain), which was
created by blocking the common carotid artery, when administered
phenibut (both with and without nicotinic acid), exhibited a significant
reduction in blood-flow and brain disturbances as compared to
the controls (i.e., the rats not administered the compounds), [Effects of
Phenibut and its composition with nicotinic acid on hemostasis
in rats with brain ischemia (2012) Eksp Klin. Farmakol., 75, 10].
One of the benefits that Phenibut has shown is that it naturally allows
more oxygen transport to various organs; most importantly, to the brain.
Phenibut (Beta-phenyl-Gamma-Amino-butyric acid) is a GABA derivative.
GABA, (Gamma-amino-butyric acid), is the primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter of the Central Nervous System (CNS). In another recent
study, it was exhibited that GABA derivatives can activate the
antioxidant system of various organs, such as the thymus gland
and the spleen, thus protecting organs that are associated with
the proper functioning and modulation of the immune system
[Samotrueva, M.A. and Magomedov, M.M., et al. (2011)
Influence of GABA derivatives on some indices of lipid
peroxidation in immunocompetent organs under experimental
immunopathology conditions. Eksp Klin. Farmakol., 74, 32].
Phenibut is widely used in many countries, (especially in Russia), to relieve
tension, anxiety, and fear, to improve/encourage sleep, and as a pre-or
post-operative medication. It has also been used in the therapy of disorders
such as asthenia (fatigue/weakness), depression, post-traumatic stress and
vestibular (unsteadiness/imbalance) disorders [Lapin, I. (2001)
Phenibut (beta-phenyl-GABA): a tranquilizer and Nootropic
drug. CNS Drug Rev., 7, 471].
As the title of the reference from the CNS Drug Rev. reveals, , Phenibut is
also considered a nootropic...this is what is called a "Smart Drug".
Smart drugs (or in this case, "Smart Supplements"), are those which
enhance memory and increase cognitive function....factors which
define the intelligence and I.Q. of an individual.
From the Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, a recent
paper [Smith, M.E. and Farah, M.J. (2011) Are prescription
stimulants "Smart Pills"? The epidemiology and cognitive
neuroscience of prescription stimulant use by normal healthy
individuals. Psychol. Bull., 137, 717] begs the question as to whether
the use of prescription stimulants used to enhance cognition truly do so for
normal, healthy individuals? We know that the use of OTC and prescription
stimulants by these "healthy, normal folks" is on the rise [Ibid]....and if the
investigators are correct, this poses some major questions and concerns.
The well-known brain stimulating ("psychostimulant") drugs prescribed for
ADD/ADHD are also frequently used by normal, healthy men and woman
for "opening the mind". Although they "open the mind", the physiological
sequelae (when utilizing these drugs), can be devastating.
Too many sleep-deprived and anxiety-compromised people (of all ages) rely
on highly addictive sleep and anti-anxiety medications, i.e., the drugs, some
of which, are classified as benzodiazepines, whose long-term effects are
tolerance (so more and more of the drug is required in order to obtain the
therapeutic effects), dependence (for sleeping and anti-anxiety), and which
have uncomfortable, if not painful withdrawal symptoms, which
in many cases, can lead to seizures and death if withdrawal is not gradual.
As a naturally-occurring derivative of GABA, it is clear that
Phenibut is a great choice for so many healthy physiological as
well as psychological functions...adding so many positives with
no side effects.
Mulungu Bark Powder (Erythrina mulungu), is an ingredient that is
indigenous to the Amazon Rainforest and has been used as a medicinal
plant in Brazil as a natural sedative for many years. Because of its wellknown and wide-spread use as a natural herbal sedative, Mulungu aids
in restful sleep, stress and anxiety reduction, and calms an
"overstimulated" CNS.
One of the major problems with sleep....both getting to sleep as well as
staying asleep, is when one has "overactive neurotransmission". By
modulating proper cerebral neurotransmission, this will aid in the control
of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which when
in balance, will calm the entire CNS to be more adapted for rest, relaxation,
and sleep.
One of the biggest problems with "overactive neurotransmission", i.e., and
its effects on sleep, is that it does not allow our bodies to rest and recover,
neither mentally nor physically. In order to be "Cardio-Healthy", as well
as brain and total organ, tissue, and muscle-healthy, we must allow our
bodies to sleep peacefully....even when we are trying to build muscle.
If we don't sleep, our natural Growth Hormone pattern is compromised.
If our GH is thrown-off, we fail to recover properly, we can't replace fat
tissue with muscle tissue, our immune system suffers, etc....!!!!
Like the other four (4) ingredients in Tranquilo, (Tryptophan, Hops Flower
Powder, Valarian Root Powder and Passionflower Fruit Powder),
Mulungu and Phenibut work synergistically on neuron
receptors of the Brain and CNS. They also work directly on the
receptor sites of various organs and tissues directly associated with both
sympathetic and parasympathetic function....such as those directly
on and associated with the heart, lungs, and cardiovascular system.