Three-week daily supplementation of a 200 or 400 mg Lecithin-based delivery form of Melissa counterbalances emotional distress symptoms

Author(s): Mariangela Rondanelli, Paola Misiano, Francesca Mansueto, Giuseppe Mazzola, Gaetan Claude Barrile, Clara Gasparri, Simone Perna.

Emotional distress (stress, anxiety, insomnia) is the most prevalent mental health condition worldwide. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential calming effect of two different daily doses of a standardised phospholipid carrier-based Melissa officinalis extract (Relissa, 200 and 400 mg/day) supplemented for 3 weeks to healthy volunteers complaining of a moderate degree of emotional distress and poor sleep conditions. The modulation of emotional distress was assessed using the DASS-21 questionnaires, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Positive and Negative Affect Scales (PANAS), Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS), Quality of Life (WHO-QoL BREF). Post-hoc analysis indicated significant reduction in DASS-21 depression, anxiety, stress score, WHO-QoL score and significant increase in WEMWBS score after 3-week with 400 mg/ day Relissa. Post-hoc analysis indicated significant reduction in PSQI global score, and Negative PANAS score after 3-week with both 200 and 400 mg/day. When two supplementations were compared at the end of the 3-week period, DASS-21 depression, anxiety, stress score, WEMWBS score, WHO-QoL score were significantly lower in 400 than 200 mg/day Relissa-supplemented subjects. No safety concerns were reported during the study observation. In conclusions, Relissa can be safely supplemented at different dosages and resulting in a valid support for emotional distress and poor sleep.