Defeat depression with bliss, serenity and mental acuity.

Breathe a sigh of freedom, at long last.

Zen1 has arrived.

After two years of R&D, we have finally perfected our flagship mood & memory boosting formula. Zen1 can truly be called a revolutionary supplement, as we are the first company to utilize the newly unearthed antidepressant compound called geniposide. Zen1 goes far beyond simply relying on this breakthrough ingredient. Our team has spent years searching for the optimal formula for happiness and mental acuity. We firmly believe we have found the 6 ingredients which will bring joy, mental clarity and general wellbeing to your life. Zen1 is that magic formula.

Below are the 6 ingredients:

Geniposide

Geniposide is a very newly discovered compound, which so far is showing huge promise as being the next big breakthrough in the fight against depression. A geniposide derived drug has yet to be patented. We at Zenstra have beaten the pharmaceutical companies to the punch by bringing a natural geniposide based supplement to the market. And unlike the pharmaceutical industry, we don’t believe in synthesising anything or altering a compound from its natural state. We have no intention of synthesising an analogue, just so we can patent it and charge extortionate prices as a monopolist. We give you Geniposide in its truest, natural form.

One 2015 studyfound that the therapeutic effects of geniposide were “essentially similar to fluoxetine (Prozac)” [1]. Their research indicated that “geniposide possessed potent antidepressant-like properties that may be mediated by its effects on the HPA axis” [1].

Whereas most antidepressant medications take a few weeks to start working, the major advantage of geniposide is that the results take effect within just two hours [2]. The same study found it was just as effective as ketamine for rapidly relieving symptoms of depression [2]. In a separate study, the antidepressive effects of geniposide were found to last for up to 20 hours after administration [3].

It is theorised that geniposide works by inhibiting the expression of a gene called PHF8.

A study from Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Center and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and Harvard Stem Cell Institute; and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, shows that PHF8 is linked to “depression-like and anxiety-like behaviours in mice” [4].

Dr L Boominathan PhD, Director-cum-chief Scientist of GBMD, reports that: Natural product-based therapy for anxiety and depression: Geniposide, isolated from Gardenia, decreases PHF8 levels, increases the expression of serotonin receptors Htr1a and Htr2a, and promotes resistance to stress-induced anxiety and depression via down regulation of its target gene [5]. This ground-breaking research suggests that geniposide could be vastly superior than any currently available treatment options for depression and anxiety, as it acts faster and doesn’t come with the same side effects.

Polygala Tenuifolia

Polygala tenuifolia, also known as Yuan Zhi, is a root traditionally used in Chinese Medicine to improve memory and combat forgetfulness and aging [6]. Preliminary animal evidence suggests that Polygala tenuifolia has an antidepressant effect in rats [7, 8, 9, 10, 11].

Research suggests that Polygala tenuifolia is similar in mechanism and effectiveness to ketamine, which interacts with N-methyl-D-aspartic acid and its receptors. In mice, a saponin from polygala was found to be more effective than a drug used to treat depression (duloxetine) [10].

Additionally, Polygala tenuifolia may reduce anxiety [11], improve both REM and NREM sleep [12], it may act as an antipsychotic [13], it may help with dermatitis [14], may help fight cancer [15, 16, 17, 18] and it is an anti-inflammatory [19].

Bacopa Monieri

Bacopa monnieri is an adaptogenic herb which has been proven to boost memory and reduce anxiety [20].

One study in mice showed that Bacopa monnieri improved spatial learning and ability to retain information [21]. The same study also found that it increased dendritic length and branching. Dendrites are parts of nerve cells in the brain that are closely linked to learning and memory [21].

Additionally, a 12-week study in 46 healthy adults observed that taking Bacopa monnieri daily significantly improved the speed of processing visual information, learning rate, and memory, compared to the placebo treatment [22].

As for anxiety, one rodent study showed that Bacopa monnieri had anti-anxiety effects comparable to those of lorazepam (a benzodiazepine), a prescription medication used to treat anxiety [23].

Two separate human studies found that taking Bacopa monnieri daily significantly reduced anxiety and depression scores in adults over 12 weeks, compared to the placebo treatment [24, 25].

It may also help lower blood pressure. In one animal study, Bacopa monnieri reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. It did this by releasing nitric oxide, which helps dilate blood vessels, resulting in improved blood flow and lower blood pressure [26, 27].

It may also exhibit anticancer properties. Bacosides, the active class of compounds in Bacopa monnieri, have been shown to kill aggressive brain tumour cells and inhibit the growth of breast and colon cancer cells in test-tube studies [26, 27, 28].

Additionally, Bacopa monnieri induced skin and breast cancer cell death in animal and test-tube studies [29, 30]. Research suggests that the high levels of antioxidants and compounds like bacosides in Bacopa monnieri may be responsible for its cancer-fighting properties [31, 32, 33].

Gotu Kola

Known as the “herb of longevity,” Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is a staple in traditional Chinese, Indonesian, and Ayurvedic medicine. Studies suggest it can help boost brainpower, heal skin issues, and promote liver and kidney health [34].

A 2013 review of anti-anxiety herbal medicines also concluded that gotu kola has an acute anti-anxiety effect [35]. Another 2016 study found that gotu kola had an anti-anxiety effect on male mice that were sleep deprived for 72 hours [36].

A review from 2016 suggests that Gotu Kola may act as an antidepressant [37]. The study was conducted on 33 people with generalized anxiety disorder. The participants were asked to take gotu kola in place of their antidepressant medication for 60 days. They self-reported decreased stress, anxiety, and depression [37].

A small 2016 study compared the effects of gotu kola extract and folic acid in boosting cognitive function after a stroke. Although gotu kola and folic acid were equally beneficial in improving overall cognition, gotu kola fared better at improving memory [38].

A separate study looked at the cognitive enhancing effects of gotu kola on mice showed that it improved both learning and memory formation [39].

Gotu kola has the ability to enhance memory and nerve function, which gives it potential in treating Alzheimer’s disease [40]. In fact, one 2012 study on mice found that gotu kola extract had a positive effect on behavioural abnormalities in mice with Alzheimer’s disease. The same study showed that it had a modest effect on preventing brain cells from toxicity and the build-up of brain plaque associated with Alzheimer’s [41].

It may also improve circulation and reduce swelling [42], it may help relieve insomnia [43], it may help reduce visibility of stretch marks [40], it could help would healing and minimize scarring [41], and its anti-inflammatory properties may help joint pain and arthritis [42]. A 2017 study suggested it may also detox the liver and kidneys [43].

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine, or PS, is a compound similar to a dietary fat which is highly prevalent in human brain tissue. It is vital for cognitive function and is synthesized naturally in our brains.

Phosphatidylserine is thought to play a role in helping to regulate mood. In a 2015 study published in Mental Illness, people over the age of 65 with major depression took a supplement containing phosphatidylserine and the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA three times daily for 12 weeks. At the study's end, scores on a depression scale had markedly improved [44].

It can also significantly improve memory. In a 2010 study published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, 78 elderly people with cognitive impairments were treated with either phosphatidylserine or a placebo for six months. Participants with relatively low memory scores at the start of the study were found to have experienced a significant improvement in memory [45].

It may also benefit sufferers of ADHD. For a 2012 study published in the Journal of European Psychiatry, 200 children with ADHD were assigned to 15 weeks of treatment with either a placebo or a supplement containing phosphatidylserine and omega-3 fatty acids. Those treated with the combination of phosphatidylserine and omega-3 fatty acids experienced a significantly greater reduction in hyperactive/impulsive behaviour and a greater improvement in mood compared to those given the placebo [46].

Schisandra

Schisandra chinensis (five flavour fruit) is a vine which bears purple-red berries described as amalgamating all five tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and spicy. In traditional Chinese medicine, Schisandra is considered beneficial to qi, the life force or energy inherent in all living things. It’s thought to have a positive impact on several meridians, or pathways, in the body, including the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

This exotic berry is categorized as an adaptogen, as it helps the body adapt to both physical and chemical stress. When consumed, it accumulates in the heart, brain, kidneys, lungs, and mostly liver tissues [47].

Schisandra increases energy levels by promoting neural ATP synthesis, thus elevating energy metabolism [48].

Schisandrin C, a component of Schisandra, appears to have anti-inflammatory effects on the brain [49]. A study in rats concluded that a compound called Deoxyschizandrin, found in Schisandra, improved cognition and memory [50]. Research on human subjects found the Schisandra improved attention, cognition, and accuracy of people under stress [51]. Schisandrin B, a component of Schisandra, preserves glutathione levels, which helps protect the brain from memory impairment [52].

Its calmness and relaxation promoting properties have been shown to be beneficial for sleep and alleviating insomnia [53]. Schisandra is effective in controlling changes in adrenaline and serotonin changes caused by stress [54]. It fights adrenal fatigue linked to stress [55].

Taking a daily dose of about 130mg of Schisandra has shown an approximately 9% improvement in blood circulation in healthy adults [56]. Increased blood flow could lead to improvements in physical performance [57].

Schisandra protects the liver and increases anti-oxidant response. For this reason, it is used to treat liver disease, including Hepatitis C, and poor liver function [58].

Another benefit is that it may help prevent cancer. One study found that components of Schisandra hinder the growth of lung cancer cells. Further research is being done to determine if Schisandra extracts could be incorporated into cancer treatment [59].

Schisandra is also good for asthma and the respiratory system [60] and it enhances the immune system [61].