SLEEP &
MENTAL HEALTH
"Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together."
–Thomas Dekker
Worry and anxiety seem pervasive in today's world. A Gallup poll found that 79% of americans feel stress frequently or sometimes in their daily lives[1].
Underlying these negative emotions is too little quality sleep. When sleep deprived, we suffer both mentally and physically. Our mind is unable to get the rest it needs to maintain healthy physiological balance. We may experience increased fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
Balancing Stress
Prolonged stress, which often results from lack of sleep, can be especially harmful. In certain situations, stress is a healthy, natural reaction. It causes the release of specific hormones (such as adrenaline and cortisol) that create a “fight or flight” reaction. This can be beneficial in short bursts, boosting our focus and even survival. However, chronic stress wears on us mentally, emotionally, and physically.
The clinical studies below show how PS128 can promote more restful sleep, balance stress levels, and restore our mental health.
Effects of PS128 on sleep and mental health
(2021)
Study Summary
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Type: randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded pilot study
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Location: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
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Participants: 40 self-reported insomniacs, average age of 26, female and male
Participants took either PS128 or a placebo after dinner each evening for 30 days. They were evaluated before the trial, again on day 15, and finally on day 30. Sleep quality was objectively measured using mini-polysomnography. Subjective measures included the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), as well as the visual analog scale (VAS) and other indexes to evaluate relaxation, fatigue, and sleep.
Results of taking PS128
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Improved sleep quality, including sounder deep-stage sleep and increased restorative, healing delta brainwaves
* P<0.05 vs. the placebo group
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Lower levels of fatigue
* P<0.05 vs. the placebo group
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Decreased depression and anxiety symptoms
* P<0.05 vs. the placebo group
† P<0.01 vs. baseline
Effects of PS128 on stress and insomnia
(2021)
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Type: open-label, single-arm, baseline-controlled study
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Location: MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taiwan
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Participants: 36 highly stressed IT industry professionals, average age of 40, female and male
Each subject took PS128 for eight weeks. Before and after the trial, stress biomarkers were measured from participants' saliva. They also self-assessed the following aspects of their health:
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work and life stress
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insomnia
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anxiety
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mood
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depression
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overall health and life quality
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digestive health
Study Summary
Results of taking PS128
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Perceived stress dropped >20% from baseline
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Saliva cortisol levels decreased
* P<0.05 vs. the placebo group
Cortisol reduction significantly correlated with positive emotions
Cortisol reduction significantly correlated with improved sleep
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Many significant improvements, including the following areas:
job stress
mood/depression
sleep
physical health
anxiety
life quality
Risks of chronic stress
Chronic stress can lead to serious problems throughout our whole body. It also increases our risk of anxiety and insomnia.
Stress and Anxiety
One in five adults in the US have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder[2].
Anxiety is closely related to stress but can persist even when the stressor is gone. It may cause constant uneasiness or dread and damage our health, much like chronic stress.
In addition to being a reaction to life events (state anxiety), anxiety is also affected by genetics, brain chemistry, and personality (trait anxiety.) In the PS128 study of IT specialists, both state and trait anxiety were significantly improved.
Stress and Sleep
Prolonged stress can make sleep more difficult, and lack of sleep can aggravate stress levels[3]. This vicious cycle ends up causing insomnia in many individuals. They may find it difficult to fall or stay asleep, or the sleep they do get may be less restive due to altered sleep patterns.
The mechanism behind this close relationship may be a network in our body called the HPA axis. It regulates both our sleep cycle and the stress hormone cortisol. When either is out of balance, the other is negatively affected.
More PS128 clinical data
[2] Levey, Diana Kelley. High Anxiety. https://adaa.org/sites/default/files/Anxiety.pdf Accessed February 16, 2023
[3] Nollet M, Wisden W, Franks NP. Sleep deprivation and stress: a reciprocal relationship. Interface Focus. 2020;10(3):20190092. doi:10.1098/rsfs.2019.0092