Product Image

200 mg of Zen

Allergy Research Group
4.6
(692 ratings)
GABA 550 mg
Theanine 200 mg
Product Image
Score 75.0

A well-dosed blend of GABA and L-Theanine for stress, mood, and sleep, but its higher price per serving makes it less competitive compared to other options.

Quantity: 120 Capsule(s)Servings size: 1 Capsule(s) (120 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Stress Relief
Mood Support
Sleep Support
Mental Focus
Brain Health

Score 75.0

A well-dosed blend of GABA and L-Theanine for stress, mood, and sleep, but its higher price per serving makes it less competitive compared to other options.

Analysis

200 mg of Zen by Allergy Research Group is formulated with 550mg of GABA and 200mg of L-Theanine, both known for their calming and mood-supporting properties. L-Theanine, commonly found in green tea, is widely recognized by nutritionists and online reviews for its ability to promote relaxation without drowsiness, enhance alpha brain waves, and improve focus. GABA is the body's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter; while its direct oral bioavailability to cross the blood-brain barrier is a topic of ongoing research, many users and some studies report anecdotal benefits for relaxation and sleep support. The dosages provided are within typical effective ranges for both compounds. The product has a moderate number of reviews (678), suggesting a decent user base, but its price point of $0.46 per serving positions it as a mid-to-high cost option for this specific combination.

Pros
  • Contains two well-researched ingredients, GABA and L-Theanine, known for their calming effects.
  • Provides effective dosages of both GABA (550mg) and L-Theanine (200mg) for noticeable benefits.
  • Offers a synergistic effect where L-Theanine promotes relaxed alertness and GABA supports overall calm.
Cons
  • The price per serving is relatively high compared to many single-ingredient GABA or L-Theanine supplements.
  • The effectiveness of orally administered GABA for direct brain effects is still a subject of scientific debate among some researchers.
Warnings
  • Individuals taking medications for anxiety, depression, or sleep should consult a healthcare professional before use due to potential interactions.
  • Though generally well-tolerated, some users may experience mild drowsiness or stomach upset.
$58.69($0.48 per serving)
Vitacost
$ 58.69
Amazon
$ 58.69
iHerb
$ 58.69
Ingredients
IngredientAmount per serving
GABA 550 mg
L-Theanine 200 mg
Adults 18–50
Categories
Theanine 90.0
The 200mg dosage of L-Theanine is widely considered an optimal and effective dose for promoting alpha brain waves, leading to relaxation, reduced anxiety, and improved mental clarity. This is a strong point for the product.
GABA 85.0
The 550mg dosage of GABA is a robust and commonly used amount in supplements aiming for calming effects. It aligns well with dosages seen in studies and anecdotal reports for promoting relaxation.
Goals
Stress Relief 85.0
Both L-Theanine and GABA are highly effective in promoting a state of calm and reducing physiological responses to stress. L-Theanine helps by promoting alpha brain waves associated with relaxation, while GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter, collectively working to quiet an overactive nervous system.
Mood Support 80.0
By mitigating feelings of anxiety and promoting relaxation, this combination can indirectly but significantly contribute to an improved mood. Reduced stress often leads to a more positive and balanced emotional state, which is a key aspect of mood support.
Sleep Support 80.0
The calming and anxiety-reducing properties of L-Theanine and GABA make this product conducive to better sleep. By helping the body and mind relax, it can facilitate a quicker onset of sleep and improve sleep quality, as noted by many online reviewers.
85 Value

Totally Zen

Carlson
4.8
(324 ratings)
This product offers a balanced blend of GABA (200mg) and L-Theanine (100mg) along with Magnesium and B vitamins, providing a multi-faceted approach to calmness and stress relief. Its significantly lower price per serving ($0.28 vs $0.46) makes it an excellent value for a comprehensive calming formula.
90 Value

Double Strength L-Theanine 200 mg

NOW
4.7
(20326 ratings)
This alternative provides the same effective 200mg dose of L-Theanine as the original product, but at a substantially reduced price per serving ($0.18 vs $0.46). This represents outstanding value for those prioritizing L-Theanine's benefits for focus and relaxation.
92 Value

GABA 500 mg

NOW
4.6
(43627 ratings)
Offering 500mg of GABA combined with Vitamin B6, which may aid in its synthesis, this product delivers a key ingredient of the original at a remarkably low price per serving ($0.07 vs $0.46), providing superior value for targeted GABA benefits.
90 Performance

Calm Thoughts

Source Naturals
4.6
(1030 ratings)
This product offers a more comprehensive blend for stress and mood, including 600mg GABA and 100mg L-Theanine, alongside a wide array of adaptogens, vitamins, and minerals. This multi-ingredient approach provides broader support for various aspects of mental well-being than the original.
88 Performance

Theanine Serene With Relora

Source Naturals
4.6
(32 ratings)
Featuring similar core ingredients (GABA 500mg, L-Theanine 200mg), this alternative adds Relora, a patented blend known for its effectiveness in managing stress-related cortisol levels, as well as Holy Basil and Magnesium, offering a potentially more targeted and effective solution for chronic stress compared to the original.
85 Performance

Sleep Regimen 3-in-1

NOW
4.5
(1089 ratings)
For users primarily seeking sleep support, this alternative provides 200mg L-Theanine along with Melatonin and 5-HTP. These additional ingredients are potent sleep aids, making it a more direct and potentially more effective choice for the 'Sleep Support' goal than the original blend.
95 Budget

GABA 750 mg

NOW
4.6
(25858 ratings)
This product offers a higher dose of GABA (750mg) than the original at a significantly lower price per serving ($0.09 vs $0.46), making it a much more economical choice if GABA is the primary desired ingredient for stress relief and sleep support.
90 Budget

L-Theanine 200 mg

California Gold Nutrition
4.7
(13349 ratings)
Providing the exact same L-Theanine dosage (200mg) as the original but at a much lower price per serving ($0.16 vs $0.46), this is an excellent cheaper alternative for consumers primarily seeking the focus and relaxation benefits of L-Theanine.
80 Budget

Anxiety & Stress Relief

Nature's Bounty
4.4
(9054 ratings)
This alternative offers a comparable 200mg L-Theanine dose combined with Ashwagandha, a powerful adaptogen for stress, at a notably lower price per serving ($0.37 vs $0.46), providing a synergistic approach to stress relief more affordably.
85 Value

Totally Zen

Carlson
4.8
(324 ratings)
This product offers a balanced blend of GABA (200mg) and L-Theanine (100mg) along with Magnesium and B vitamins, providing a multi-faceted approach to calmness and stress relief. Its significantly lower price per serving ($0.28 vs $0.46) makes it an excellent value for a comprehensive calming formula.
90 Value

Double Strength L-Theanine 200 mg

NOW
4.7
(20326 ratings)
This alternative provides the same effective 200mg dose of L-Theanine as the original product, but at a substantially reduced price per serving ($0.18 vs $0.46). This represents outstanding value for those prioritizing L-Theanine's benefits for focus and relaxation.
92 Value

GABA 500 mg

NOW
4.6
(43627 ratings)
Offering 500mg of GABA combined with Vitamin B6, which may aid in its synthesis, this product delivers a key ingredient of the original at a remarkably low price per serving ($0.07 vs $0.46), providing superior value for targeted GABA benefits.
90 Performance

Calm Thoughts

Source Naturals
4.6
(1030 ratings)
This product offers a more comprehensive blend for stress and mood, including 600mg GABA and 100mg L-Theanine, alongside a wide array of adaptogens, vitamins, and minerals. This multi-ingredient approach provides broader support for various aspects of mental well-being than the original.
88 Performance

Theanine Serene With Relora

Source Naturals
4.6
(32 ratings)
Featuring similar core ingredients (GABA 500mg, L-Theanine 200mg), this alternative adds Relora, a patented blend known for its effectiveness in managing stress-related cortisol levels, as well as Holy Basil and Magnesium, offering a potentially more targeted and effective solution for chronic stress compared to the original.
85 Performance

Sleep Regimen 3-in-1

NOW
4.5
(1089 ratings)
For users primarily seeking sleep support, this alternative provides 200mg L-Theanine along with Melatonin and 5-HTP. These additional ingredients are potent sleep aids, making it a more direct and potentially more effective choice for the 'Sleep Support' goal than the original blend.