Article in peer‑reviewed journal demonstrates Zensera™’s effect on supporting calmness during stressful days to improve cognitive performance.
Givaudan announces that clinical findings demonstrating the benefits of Zensera™, its patent‑pending lemon balm extract, have been published in the peer‑reviewed journal Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. The study offers robust evidence of the ingredient’s ability to support cognitive wellbeing under stress.
Globally, consumer concern about mental health remains high, with stress, anxiety, and sleep dominating the category.1 Yet relaxation alone no longer meets the needs of today’s fast‑paced lifestyles: people also seek solutions that help them stay focused, composed, and mentally sharp under pressure. The newly published study reinforces how Givaudan’s Zensera™ can help support calmness to improve cognitive performance for a stressful day, offering an evidence‑based approach to mental wellbeing.
In a randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled study involving 106 healthy young adults with moderate stress, researchers evaluated the acute effects of Zensera™ on mood and cognitive performance. Participants were assessed at multiple points during the day following periods of high cognitive demand.
The results revealed2:
1. At five hours post‑consumption, subjects demonstrated better performance on the most demanding cognitive challenges compared to placebo.
2. Same-day support for cognitive performance lasting at least 5 hours after consumption.
3. Further analysis confirmed that performance gains correlated with increased calmness and contentment, indicating a link between emotional steadiness and cognitive efficiency.
The overall findings suggest that Zensera™ may offer benefits to stressed adults, supporting calmness during stressful days to support cognitive performance.
“The publication of this study in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology validates our scientific research and underlines the efficacy of the ingredient,” said Romain le Cozannet, PhD, Mind & Energy Category Technical Leader at Givaudan. “We’re pleased to offer customers a benefit combination that’s particularly relevant for today’s fast-paced lifestyles, now backed by peer-reviewed science.”
Zensera™ continues to reflect Givaudan’s long‑standing commitment to innovation grounded in clinical science and responsible sourcing, helping brands meet growing global demand for effective, nature‑based ingredients that support cognitive wellbeing.
1. Innova Market Insights. Innovation Around the Globe: Supplements for Stress & Women’s Health. 2025
2. Mathews, I. et al. (2026) ‘The acute effects of Zensera™ (Melissa officinalis L.) extract on mood and cognitive performance during cognitive overload: a randomised placebo-controlled, doubleblind study in healthy young adults with moderate subjective stress’ Therapeutic Advances in
Psychopharmacology, 16: 1–16.
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