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Stress & Anxiety Formula

Natrol
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(530 ratings)
GABA 650 mg
Niacin 50 mg
Tyrosine 650 mg
Eleuthero 100 mg
Product Image
Score66
A substantial GABA and tyrosine pairing gives this broad stress blend a useful core, but inconsistent ingredient quality and mixed calming and activating effects limit its fit for sleep.
How scoring works
Quantity:90 Capsule(s) • (22 servings)
Goals:
Stress Relief
Brain Health
Mood Support
Cognitive Support

Score 66

A substantial GABA and tyrosine pairing gives this broad stress blend a useful core, but inconsistent ingredient quality and mixed calming and activating effects limit its fit for sleep.
How scoring works
$25.33($1.15 per serving)
Vitacost
$ 34.19
iHerb
$ 25.33
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Analysis

GABA and L-tyrosine are the main strengths, with clearly stated amounts that give the formula more substance than a lightly dosed stress blend. Inositol and several B vitamins add breadth, although they play smaller supporting roles.

The formula pulls in two directions: GABA may promote calm, while tyrosine and eleuthero may support alertness under stress. That balance may suit daytime stress, but it is less predictable for bedtime use or for people who are sensitive to stimulating ingredients.

Magnesium oxide is a less desirable form, and the eleuthero entry lacks plant-part and extract details. The four-capsule serving and relatively high serving cost also make it less convenient than a simpler formula.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking broad daytime stress support
  • People who want both calming and focus-oriented ingredients
Best for
  • Stress support
  • Calm with maintained alertness
  • Broad amino acid and vitamin coverage

Pros

  • Clearly disclosed GABA amount
  • Meaningful L-tyrosine amount
  • Multiple complementary stress-support ingredients

Cons

  • Magnesium uses the oxide form
  • Eleuthero form and plant part are unclear
  • Four capsules per serving
  • Poor fit as a dedicated sleep formula

Warnings

  • GABA may cause drowsiness, so assess tolerance before driving or operating machinery.
  • L-tyrosine may interact with levodopa, thyroid hormone, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Nutrient quality

70 High impact

GABA and tyrosine provide the strongest dose support, while several vitamins and minerals use basic forms. Eleuthero, inositol, and magnesium add breadth but contribute less depth to the intended stress use.

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Ingredient transparency

76 High impact

Active amounts are broadly clear and no proprietary blend hides the listed doses. Missing inactive ingredients and incomplete usage or source details prevent full label transparency.

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Customer satisfaction

66 High impact

The average rating is strong and the review base is reasonably large. No specific feedback themes are supplied, so recurring complaints and purpose fit remain uncertain.

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Value for money

46 Lower impact

Meaningful GABA and tyrosine provide some formula value, but several supporting ingredients are modest or use basic forms. A high serving cost and four-capsule serving make the product expensive for the depth provided.

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Goals

Stress Relief
Stress Relief
Impact
High effect
B Goal FitC Strength of SupportB+ CoverageB- Formula Quality
Magnesium · 100 mgGABA · 650 mgVitamin B6 · 4 mgVitamin C · 100 mgEleuthero · 100 mg

A fully disclosed 650 mg GABA amount gives the blend a meaningful immediate-calming core. Eleuthero, magnesium, B vitamins, tyrosine, and inositol broaden support for stress-related energy and resilience.

Depth is uneven because eleuthero is lightly dosed and unstandardized, while magnesium is a modest amount of oxide. GABA may cause drowsiness in some users, so the four-capsule serving may be poorly matched to tasks requiring alertness.

Study evidence
Eleuthero No effect 1 study
GABA Supportive 6 studies
Magnesium Supportive 13 studies
Brain Health
Brain Health
Impact
High effect
B- Goal FitC+ Strength of SupportB- CoverageB- Formula Quality
Vitamin B6 · 4 mgThiamin · 3 mgMagnesium · 100 mg

Tyrosine supports catecholamine synthesis, while GABA and eleuthero broaden the blend toward calm and stress resilience. The tyrosine and GABA amounts are useful, but eleuthero and magnesium provide weaker contributions.

The formula covers several pathways yet is designed more for stress than for broad memory or neuroprotection. GABA may cause drowsiness, and tyrosine can interact with levodopa, thyroid hormone, or MAO inhibitors.

Study evidence
Magnesium Supportive 86 studies
Tyrosine Supportive 7 studies
Mood Support
Mood Support
Impact
Moderate effect
C+ Goal FitC- Strength of SupportB- CoverageD+ Formula Quality
Vitamin B6 · 4 mgMagnesium · 100 mg

GABA, tyrosine, eleuthero, inositol, and B vitamins address calm signaling, stress adaptation, and neurotransmitter supply. Oral GABA has uncertain brain penetration, while several supporting ingredients are too modest for strong standalone effects.

The main active amounts are disclosed, but magnesium oxide and basic B-vitamin forms weaken quality. Combining calming GABA with stimulating tyrosine and eleuthero may suit some users but can feel mismatched for anxiety-sensitive people.

Study evidence
GABA Supportive 12 studies
Magnesium Supportive 60 studies
Cognitive Support
Cognitive Support
Impact
Moderate effect
C Goal FitD Strength of SupportC- CoverageD Formula Quality
Thiamin · 3 mgVitamin B6 · 4 mgMagnesium · 100 mg

Tyrosine, GABA, B vitamins, and Eleuthero aim to support focus during stress, but the formula is more calming than broadly nootropic. Evidence is mixed because oral GABA has uncertain brain delivery and Eleuthero is not strongly characterized.

Tyrosine is supplied at a useful amount, while Eleuthero is low and magnesium uses a poorly absorbed oxide form. A four-capsule serving combines opposing calming and activating signals without clear evidence that the balance improves cognition.

Study evidence
Eleuthero No effect 1 study
Magnesium Supportive 24 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin C (Calcium Ascorbate)
 100 mg
Thiamine (Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B1)
 3 mg
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
 3.1 mg
Niacin (Niacinamide)
 50 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride)
 4 mg
Calcium (Calcium Carbonate)
 140 mg
Magnesium (Magnesium Oxide)
 100 mg
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
650 mg
L-Tyrosine
650 mg
Eleuthero
100 mg
Inositol
100 mg
Adults 18–50 Dairy Free
Report overview
GABA · 650 mg OverallScore78
B- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyD- Value

The formula provides a clearly disclosed 650 mg dose of standard GABA in capsules. That amount fits the intended range, while vitamins, minerals, tyrosine, eleuthero, and inositol make it a broad stress blend rather than a simple GABA product. The serving cost is high for an unbranded GABA source.

View ingredientView products
Niacin (Niacinamide) · 50 mg OverallScore70
B+ Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA- Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyF Value

Niacinamide provides a conventional multinutrient amount but is not specifically matched to stress support. Capsule delivery is straightforward and the chemical form is transparent. The serving cost is high when evaluated for niacin value.

View ingredientView products
Tyrosine · 650 mg OverallScore70
B- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyF Value

Standard L-tyrosine supplies a clearly stated amount within the full support range. No specific purity or sourcing standards are disclosed. The complex formula carries a very high cost per gram of tyrosine.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
73 Performance

Daily Stress Formula

Pure Encapsulations
<p>Standardized rhodiola, eleuthero, bacopa, lemon balm, and ashwagandha provide broader stress and cognitive coverage than the lightly characterized botanicals in the original. Active B-vitamin forms and magnesium citrate improve form quality, although duplicated entries and a premium cost remain drawbacks.</p>
61 Performance

StressMaster

Advanced Nutrition by Zahler
<p>Valerian, rhodiola, GABA, and theanine create a more focused relaxation profile, with stronger support for sleep and stress goals. Raw herb powders, high folate without listed vitamin B12, licorice, and combined sedating ingredients narrow suitability.</p>
66 Performance

Neurolink

Designs for Health
<p>Substantial tyrosine, GABA, taurine, inositol, and active vitamin B6 provide much deeper neurotransmitter-focused dosing. The high vitamin B6 amount and added 5-HTP raise long-term and serotonergic safety concerns.</p>
77 Budget

True Calm

NOW
<p>A much lower serving cost comes with magnesium bisglycinate instead of relying mainly on magnesium oxide, plus GABA, glycine, taurine, and inositol. Most amounts are modest, but the blend is more practical for regular use.</p>
78 Budget

GABAplex

Swanson
<p>Lower-cost servings retain GABA and tyrosine while adding glycine, taurine, and theanine for broader calming support. Black pepper may affect medicine absorption, so the value advantage comes with an interaction consideration.</p>
74 Budget

Totally Zen

Carlson
<p>A long supply lowers the serving cost while combining GABA with theanine and a broad B-vitamin base. The relatively high vitamin B6 amount and mixed magnesium forms make long-term use less straightforward.</p>
68 Value

GABA Relaxer

Country Life
<p>A focused GABA, glycine, taurine, and inositol blend offers solid calming coverage at a lower serving cost. Niacinamide and vitamin B6 are more aggressive than necessary for routine long-term use.</p>
74 Value

Totally Zen

Carlson
<p>GABA and theanine provide direct calming support, while the B-vitamin base and partly citrate-based magnesium broaden the formula at a favorable serving cost. A relatively high vitamin B6 amount and some magnesium oxide temper the value.</p>
74 Value

Emotional Balance Support

Thorne
<p>Active vitamin B6 and B12 join tyrosine, 5-HTP, rhodiola, eleuthero, and GABA for broader mood-pathway coverage. Several supporting doses are modest, and 5-HTP can be unsuitable with serotonergic medicines.</p>
Report alternatives

Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Oral intake of γ-aminobutyric acid affects mood and activities of central nervous system during stressed condition induced by mental tasks.
    Yoto A; Murao S; Motoki M; Yokoyama Y; Horie N; Takeshima K; Masuda K; Kim M; Yokogoshi H · Amino acids · 2012
    Randomized trial63 participantsStress Relief Mood Support forGABA
  2. GABA Supplementation, Increased Heart-Rate Variability, Emotional Response, Sleep Efficiency and Reduced Depression in Sedentary Overweight Women Undergoing Physical Exercise: Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial.
    Guimarães AP; Seidel H; Pires LVM; Trindade CO; Baleeiro RDS; Souza PM; Silva FGDE; Coelho DB; Becker LK; Oliveira EC · Journal of dietary supplements · 2024
    Randomized trial30 participantsStress Relief forGABA
  3. Cortical gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate in posttraumatic stress disorder and their relationships to self-reported sleep quality.
    Meyerhoff DJ; Mon A; Metzler T; Neylan TC · Sleep · 2014
    Case-control study45 participantsStress Relief forGABA
  4. Comparison of the effects of two amino acids, Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and L-theanine, on sedation, anxiety, and cognition in preoperative surgical patients - A randomized controlled study.
    Deshpande SS; Kurdi M; Baiju A; Athira AS; Sarasamma AG; Gangadharan AK · Journal of anaesthesiology, clinical pharmacology · 2025
    Randomized trial168 participantsStress Relief forGABA
  5. Antenatal magnesium sulfate and neuroprotection.
    Doyle LW · Current opinion in pediatrics · 2012
    Meta-analysis6,145 participants5 studies pooledBrain Health forMagnesium
  6. No. 376-Magnesium Sulphate for Fetal Neuroprotection.
    Magee LA; De Silva DA; Sawchuck D; Synnes A; von Dadelszen P · Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC · 2020
    Guideline / consensus4,446 participantsBrain Health forMagnesium
  7. Magnesium Sulfate Before Preterm Birth for Neuroprotection: An Updated Cochrane Systematic Review.
    Shepherd ES; Goldsmith S; Doyle LW; Middleton P; Marret S; Rouse DJ; Pryde P; Wolf HT; Crowther CA · Obstetrics and gynecology · 2024
    Systematic review5,917 participants6 studies pooledBrain Health forMagnesium
  8. Magnesium sulphate for fetal neuroprotection at imminent risk for preterm delivery: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.
    Wolf HT; Huusom LD; Henriksen TB; Hegaard HK; Brok J; Pinborg A · BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology · 2020
    Meta-analysis5,917 participants6 studies pooledBrain Health forMagnesium
  9. Magnesium sulfate and fetal neuroprotection: overview of clinical evidence.
    Chollat C; Marret S · Neural regeneration research · 2020
    Narrative reviewBrain Health forMagnesium
  10. Combined L-carnosine and L-tyrosine supplementation as an ergogenic strategy for physical and cognitive performance under fatigue in professional football players.
    Bilgin S; Bozyılan E; Buzdağlı Y; Karaç Öcal Y; Gürkan O; Toktaş S; İnan H; Egil İ; Yarayan YE · Frontiers in nutrition · 2026
    Randomized trial24 participantsBrain Health forTyrosine
  11. Effect of tyrosine supplementation on clinical and healthy populations under stress or cognitive demands--A review.
    Jongkees BJ; Hommel B; Kühn S; Colzato LS · Journal of psychiatric research · 2016
    Narrative reviewBrain Health forTyrosine
  12. Influence of nutritional tyrosine on cognition and functional connectivity in healthy old humans.
    Hensel C; Becker M; Düzel S; Demuth I; Norman K; Steinhagen-Thiessen E; Gallinat J; Lindenberger U; Kühn S · NeuroImage · 2019
    Cross-sectional study286 participantsBrain Health forTyrosine
  13. Dietary Tyrosine Intake (FFQ) Is Associated with Locus Coeruleus, Attention and Grey Matter Maintenance: An MRI Structural Study on 398 Healthy Individuals of the Berlin Aging Study-II.
    Plini ERG; Melnychuk MC; Harkin A; Dahl MJ; McAuslan M; Kühn S; Boyle RT; Whelan R; Andrews R; Düzel S; Drewelies J; Wagner GG; Lindenberger U; Norman K; Robertson IH; Dockree PM · The journal of nutrition, health & aging · 2023
    Cross-sectional study398 participantsBrain Health forTyrosine
  14. Baseline-dependent effect of dopamine's precursor L-tyrosine on working memory gating but not updating.
    Jongkees BJ · Cognitive, affective & behavioral neuroscience · 2021
    Randomized trial45 participantsBrain Health forTyrosine
  15. No benefit adding eleutherococcus senticosus to stress management training in stress-related fatigue/weakness, impaired work or concentration, a randomized controlled study.
    Schaffler K; Wolf OT; Burkart M · Pharmacopsychiatry · 2014
    Randomized trial144 participantsCognitive Support Stress Relief forEleuthero
  16. Magnesium sulphate for women at risk of preterm birth for neuroprotection of the fetus.
    Doyle LW; Crowther CA; Middleton P; Marret S; Rouse D · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2009
    Meta-analysis6,145 participants5 studies pooledCognitive Support forMagnesium
  17. Effects of magnesium valproate adjuvant therapy on patients with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Zhang C; Sun L; Sun H · Medicine · 2022
    Meta-analysis1,899 participants22 studies pooledCognitive Support forMagnesium
  18. Effects of magnesium supplementation on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and cognitive function in patients undergoing fluoxetine therapy for depression.
    Noor NJ; Syamsuddin S; Liaury K; Tawali S; Idris I; Azis I; Lisal ST · East Asian archives of psychiatry : official journal of the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists = Dong Ya jing shen ke xue zhi : Xianggang jing shen ke yi xue yuan qi kan · 2026
    Randomized trial40 participantsCognitive Support forMagnesium
  19. Magnesium-L-threonate improves sleep quality and daytime functioning in adults with self-reported sleep problems: A randomized controlled trial.
    Hausenblas HA; Lynch T; Hooper S; Shrestha A; Rosendale D; Gu J · Sleep medicine: X · 2025
    Randomized trial80 participantsCognitive Support forMagnesium
  20. Could intraoperative magnesium sulphate protect against postoperative cognitive dysfunction?
    Hassan WF; Tawfik MH; Nabil TM; Abd Elkareem RM · Minerva anestesiologica · 2021
    Randomized trial80 participantsCognitive Support forMagnesium
  21. Peripartum neuroactive steroid and γ-aminobutyric acid profiles in women at-risk for postpartum depression.
    Deligiannidis KM; Kroll-Desrosiers AR; Mo S; Nguyen HP; Svenson A; Jaitly N; Hall JE; Barton BA; Rothschild AJ; Shaffer SA · Psychoneuroendocrinology · 2017
    Cohort study56 participantsMood Support forGABA
  22. The role of neurotransmitters in mediating the relationship between brain alterations and depressive symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
    Wang J; Liu G; Xu K; Ai K; Huang W; Zhang J · Human brain mapping · 2023
    Case-control study69 participantsMood Support forGABA
  23. Occipital gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate-glutamine alterations in major depressive disorder: An mrs study and meta-analysis.
    Truong V; Cheng PZ; Lee HC; Lane TJ; Hsu TY; Duncan NW · Psychiatry research. Neuroimaging · 2021
    Observational studyMood Support forGABA
  24. Systematic review of gamma-aminobutyric-acid inhibitory deficits across the reproductive life cycle.
    Vigod SN; Strasburg K; Daskalakis ZJ; Blumberger DM · Archives of women's mental health · 2014
    Systematic review11 studies pooledMood Support forGABA
  25. Protective role of antioxidant supplementation for depression and anxiety: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
    Wang H; Jin M; Xie M; Yang Y; Xue F; Li W; Zhang M; Li Z; Li X; Jia N; Liu Y; Cui X; Hu G; Dong L; Wang G; Yu Q · Journal of affective disorders · 2023
    Meta-analysis4,049 participants52 studies pooledMood Support forMagnesium
  26. Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial.
    Tarleton EK; Littenberg B; MacLean CD; Kennedy AG; Daley C · PloS one · 2017
    Randomized trial126 participantsMood Support Stress Relief forMagnesium
  27. Magnesium supplementation as an adjunct to fluoxetine therapy for depression.
    Walyddaini AS; Lisal ST; Ilhamuddin; Zainuddin AA; Tanra AJ; Widianingsih Y; Syamsuddin S · East Asian archives of psychiatry : official journal of the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists = Dong Ya jing shen ke xue zhi : Xianggang jing shen ke yi xue yuan qi kan · 2026
    Randomized trial40 participantsMood Support forMagnesium
  28. The effects of magnesium supplementation on serum level of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and depression status in patients with depression.
    Afsharfar M; Shahraki M; Shakiba M; Asbaghi O; Dashipour A · Clinical nutrition ESPEN · 2021
    Randomized trial46 participantsMood Support forMagnesium
  29. Dietary magnesium intake and risk of depression.
    Sun C; Wang R; Li Z; Zhang D · Journal of affective disorders · 2019
    Cross-sectional study17,730 participantsMood Support forMagnesium
  30. Relieving occupational fatigue by consumption of a beverage containing γ-amino butyric acid.
    Kanehira T; Nakamura Y; Nakamura K; Horie K; Horie N; Furugori K; Sauchi Y; Yokogoshi H · Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology · 2011
    Clinical trial30 participantsStress Relief forGABA
  31. Effects of Intravenous Esketamine or Magnesium Sulfate on Early Postoperative Negative Emotions and Pain in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Wang L; Zhou J; Liu Q; Qian K; Wang L; Xie C · Therapeutics and clinical risk management · 2026
    Randomized trial137 participantsStress Relief forMagnesium
  32. Effect of short-term magnesium supplementation on anxiety, depression and sleep quality in patients after open-heart surgery.
    Saba S; Faizi F; Sepandi M; Nehrir B · Magnesium research · 2022
    Non-randomized trial60 participantsStress Relief forMagnesium
  33. Effects of dry needling compared to magnesium infiltration in trigger points for patients with myofascial pain syndrome: a randomized controlled study in Tunisia.
    Dhouibi J; Moncer R; Kalbousi N; Gaddour M; Laayouni S; Ouanes W; Kacem B; Jemni S · Korean journal of family medicine · 2026
    Randomized trial45 participantsStress Relief forMagnesium
  34. Effect of magnesium and vitamin B6 supplementation on mental health and quality of life in stressed healthy adults: Post-hoc analysis of a randomised controlled trial.
    Noah L; Dye L; Bois De Fer B; Mazur A; Pickering G; Pouteau E · Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress · 2021
    Randomized trialStress Relief forMagnesium