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Stress Factors Review – Is it Effective?

By Sasha de Beausset Aparicio, MSc

Reviewed by Rebecca Williams, MD, MA, MB, BChir

Last Updated:

Evidence Based | Summary | Formula | Health Benefits | Contraindications | Cost | How To Use | Bottom Line

Stress Factors is marketed as a formula which supports balanced and healthy emotional expression with anti-stress, mood-modulating benefits. According to its manufacturer, BioGenesis Nutraceuticals, the formula is uniquely designed to support an increased parasympathetic neurological response. The product was formerly known as Stress X, and was currently renamed.

BioGenesis Nutraceuticals is a company founded in 2000 which specialize in the production and marketing of nutraceutical formulations designed to support a wide range of health conditions and body functions and organs, such as the liver, the digestive system, cardiovascular system, the immune system, mental wellness support, nutritional support or weight control and nutrition bars.

Stress Factors is a natural alternative for the nutritional support for burned-out, stressed out or emotionally labile patients. The formula is also suited for vegetarians.

Summary

1) What is Stress Factors?

Stress Factors is a blend of vitamins, herbs, amino-acids and nutrients designed as a natural mood and emotional support formula.

GABA is an amino acid that acts directly as neurotransmitter. It has inhibitory properties and is essential in adjusting neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system. Increased levels of GABA in the brain are known to produce a relaxing, calming, anti-anxiety and sleep promoting effects. The FDA has not issued any recommendations regarding daily dosage for GABA. No side effects have been reported when using GABA. However, scientific data gathered so far do not support the use of GABA supplementation for medical purposes.

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is a naturally occurring amino acid and a chemical precursor to the neurotransmitters Serotonin and Melatonin. 5HTP is currently investigated for its potential anti-depression properties and various clinical tests have proven it to be effective in assisting with headache, anxiety, depression, obesity and even insomnia. Serotonin is known as a mood elevator, thus explaining 5HTP’s properties. Although the recommended daily dosage is not generally accepted (some say 50 mg one to 3 times a day), high doses of 5HTP may cause brain and liver toxicity, nausea, heartburn and gas.

Formula

2) What Are Stress Factors Ingredients?

Stress Factors includes the following ingredients: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5′-phosphate), L-theanine, Hops cone (Humulus lupulus), Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata), Inositol, GABA (gamma amino butyric acid), 5HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), Lithium aspartate, Rice flour and silica.

3) What Does Stress Factors Do?

One species of Passion Flower, namely P. incarnate (maypop) has a long history of use among Native Americans in North America and were adopted by the European colonists. The fresh or dried leaves of maypop are used to make a tea that is used to treat insomnia, hysteria, and epilepsy, and is also valued for its analgesic properties.

For the past two decades, the theory of excitatory action of GABA early in development was unquestioned based on experiments in vitro, in brain slices. The main observation was that in the hippocampus and neocortex of the mammalian brain, GABA has primarily excitatory effects, and is, in fact, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in many regions of the brain before the maturation of glutamatergic synapses.

Some preliminary results of studies on high-dose inositol supplements show promising results for people suffering from problems such as bulimia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, agoraphobia, and unipolar and bipolar depression.

In a single double-blind study on 13 patients, Inositol (18 grams daily) has been found to reduce the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) significantly, with Effectiveness equal to SSRIs and virtually without side-effects. In a double-blind, controlled trial, Inositol (18 grams daily) was superior to fluvoxamine for decreasing the number of panic attacks and other side-effects.

Pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzymes play a role in the biosynthesis of four important neurotransmitters: serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Serine racemase, which synthesizes the neuromodulator D-serine, is also a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme.

Health Benefits

4) Stress Factors Health Benefits

  • Vegetarian capsules suited for vegetarians
  • Consumer reviews report effectiveness
Contraindications

5) Stress Factors Warnings and Precautions

  • Expensive formula (60 capsules cost approximately $50 which at maximum 5 capsules a day dosage is sufficient for 12 days of treatment)
  • Lack of consumer reviews to assess effectiveness
  • Side effects associated to the main ingredients
Cost

6) How Much Does Stress Factors Cost?

Stress Factors is an average priced supplement, currently sold in bottles containing 60 capsules. The product is available for purchase directly on the manufacturer’s website. Other online retailers might offer discounts or promotions.

If you want to a similar GABA supplement that also offers a cost-effective trial sample pack for $4.75, we recommend checking out GABA supplement Gabatrol.

How To Use

7) How to Use Stress Factors

Product reviews, although not numerous report that the formula delivers on its main benefits. The manufacturer recommends taking 1-2 capsules per day or as directed by a healthcare professional.

Bottom Line

8) Our Bottom Line

Stress Factors is marketed to naturally balance mood and support emotional balance. The lack of numerous consumer reviews or any proof from the manufacturer to support the benefit claims makes it difficult to assess the formula’s actual effectiveness and potential side effects experienced by consumers.

It is however safe to say that the product might work for some people, depending on a number of factors. It should however be kept in mind that not all patients are alike. To avoid unwanted effects, we recommend you carefully read the label, don’t exceed recommended dosage and, if possible, seek the advice of a healthcare provider prior to use.

5/5 - (2 votes)
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Michelle

I used Stress Factors and results came within 24 hours… this is practically unbelievable… if anyone else would’ve told me that i wouldn’t believe… Thanks BioGenesis!

Kim

I have used this and proved to be useful. I no longer feel like a have a skullcage on my head.