What Is CalmNeeds®?

Nerve cells, or neurons, do not touch each other, but are separated by a gap called the synapse. Chemicals called neurotransmitters travel from one neuron to the next to bridge this gap. Some neurotransmitters are excitatory, which result in increased neuronal function, while other neurons are inhibitory, which result in decreased neuronal function*. While the function of the nervous system, including the brain, is extremely complicated, one important aspect is the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters*. When this balance is off, and an over-excitable state is present, providing substances that support inhibitory neurotransmission can often help re-establish the balance. CalmNeeds® contains five ingredients designed to do just that. These ingredients are often taken together, and likely have a synergistic calming effect.

Anyone in an over-excitable state can consider taking CalmNeeds®.* This includes people with nervouseness about school or taking examinations, over-activity, nervous mood, and poor sleep.* Furthermore, anyone under stressful conditions might consider taking CalmNeeds®.

The dose for adolescents and adults is one or two capsules, taken as needed. Start with one capsule, and double if needed and tolerated. If the problem is nervous mood, take daily once or twice a day, as needed. If the problem is poor sleep, take before bedtime. Do not exceed two capsules a day except under the advice of a physician. School-aged children ages 5-11 years can take one capsule at a time, either once or twice daily, but start with one-half of a capsule at a time (open capusle and let out a half of a capsule and then reclose). You can open the capsule and mix in any food or beverage, but the taste is poor and you may need to flavor it to the child’s taste. Children under the age of 5 years should only be treated under the advice of a physician.

There are 60 vegetarian capsules in a container, which will last one month if two capsules a day are taken.

CalmNeeds has a shelf life of 2 years.  A date of manufacture along with the Lot # is stamped on the bottom of each bottle.

There are similar products on the market, but generally the dosing is less, especially that of 5–hydroxytryptophan (5HTP).

It is possible that CalmNeeds® can make some individuals drowsy, and is not recommended that one drive or operate machinery after taking this product until you know how it affects you. All of the ingredients are natural, and adverse (side) effects, when they do occur, are mild and reversible upon stopping/lowering the dose. The full dose of CalmNeeds® (2 capsules = 200 mg —of 5-HTP— at a time) may cause side effects in some sensitive people, which is one reason for the recommendation to start at one capsule and increase as needed and tolerated. Potential side effects include heartburn, nausea, gas, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness, and vivid dreams or nightmares. The L-theanine component might lower blood pressure, and thus is a potential concern in those with hypotension.

Theoretically, the 5–hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) ingredient could contribute towards serotonin syndrome, a very rare condition associated with confusion, restlessness, and shivering/tremor/twitching. This warning came about because high-doses of parenteral (injected into the abdomen) 5-HTP can cause acute serotonin syndrome in rats. However, in humans, 5-HTP has never been clinically associated with serotonin syndrome. Two capsules of CalmNeeds® contains 200 mg of 5-HTP, which is the dose in many over-the-counter products. According to the US National Institute of Health TOXNET, 5-HTP has not been associated with serotonin syndrome or, based on many studies, any serious adverse events in humans. Severe serotonin syndrome is rare in humans (but common in rodents), and almost exclusively caused by an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, e.g. citalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline) or an SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, e.g. duloxetine, venlafaxine) coupled with an MAOI (monoamine oxide inhibitor, e.g. isocarboxazid, phenelzine) [PMID: 27692695]. MAOI drugs are rarely prescribed today. Because serotonin syndrome may be more likely if one is also taking certain antidepressants, consult with your physician before taking CalmNeeds® if you are taking one of these classes of drugs, or if you are uncertain which class of drugs you are taking.

Yes, in fact, CalmNeeds® can be helpful in reducing over-activity that is occasionally present in people taking high-powered mitochondrial-targeted supplements, such as SpectrumNeeds® or EnergyNeeds®.

L-theanine has a sulfur atom, and thus has a strong disagreeable taste. You can open the capsule and try to flavor the contents to something tolerable, but this is difficult. Another option is to buy the components separately.

Yes, CalmNeeds® can be added to a G (gastrostomy) tube for direct administration into the stomach. Open the capsule and mix the contents in with whatever liquid you are providing by tube.  Direct administration into the small intestine/jejunum (J or GJ tube) may decrease absorption, but can be done.

Dr. Boles recommends genetic testing in patients with multiple functional or neurodevelopmental disorders, as many times such testing can be helpful in determining the underlying factors leading for disease in that individual, be it mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotransmitter disorders, channelopathy, axonal transport, and/or other mechanisms.*  Understanding these underlying factors often allows for targeting therapies.*  Even in patients with known mitochondrial disease, genetic testing can often identify factors leading to this disease that suggest specific therapies.*  For more information, see Dr. Boles’ private practice website at molecularmitomd.com.