When Life Hands You Lemons: A Neurodivergent Guide to Lemon Balm in the Fight Against Anxiety | Praise Podcast

There’s a potential new tool on the horizon in the fight against anxiety. If you are looking at herbal remedies, tune in for the science behind Melissa officinalis – known commonly as lemon balm.🎧

https://momo634.com/p/neurodivergent-guide-lemon-balm-anxiety

#bible #inspiration #motivation #motivational #inspirational #MentalHealth #faith #anxiety #selfcare #melissaoficianalis #lemonbalm #depression #supplements #homeopathy #naturalremedies

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit momo634.com

00:00:00 --> 00:00:03 There's a potential new tool on the horizon in the fight

00:00:03 --> 00:00:05 against anxiety.

00:00:05 --> 00:00:07 If you are looking at herbal remedies,

00:00:08 --> 00:00:11 tune in for the science behind Melissa officinalis,

00:00:12 --> 00:00:14 known commonly as lemon balm.

00:00:17 --> 00:00:17 Hello,

00:00:18 --> 00:00:20 and welcome to Momo 634,

00:00:20 --> 00:00:24 a bite-sized podcast that's chock-full of inspiration,

00:00:24 --> 00:00:25 motivation,

00:00:26 --> 00:00:27 and positivity,

00:00:27 --> 00:00:30 straight from the intersection of faith and mental wellness.

00:00:31 --> 00:00:33 Please like, share, and subscribe.

00:00:35 --> 00:00:39 Momo 634, motivational moments just for today.

00:00:48 --> 00:00:51 As has been shared in previous episodes,

00:00:51 --> 00:00:55 I've had adverse reactions to most of the prescription

00:00:55 --> 00:00:57 medications for OCD and

00:00:58 --> 00:00:58 anxiety.

00:00:58 --> 00:01:03 In the episodes Something Fishy and Be Like Pluto,

00:01:03 --> 00:01:07 I've discussed a number of supplements I take or have tried.

00:01:08 --> 00:01:11 Those are also listed in our toolkit guide linked below this

00:01:11 --> 00:01:15 episode at momo634.com.

00:01:16 --> 00:01:19 I've recently come across some information and research on

00:01:19 --> 00:01:20 another supplement that

00:01:20 --> 00:01:23 has shown efficacy with anxiety.

00:01:24 --> 00:01:27 You know I have to say this, I am not a clinician.

00:01:28 --> 00:01:31 I'm a random lady on the internet who's sharing what she's seen

00:01:32 --> 00:01:32 and learned.

00:01:33 --> 00:01:38 You need to do your own due diligence and in concert with your care team.

00:01:39 --> 00:01:43 That said, I've been taking lemon balm capsules for a week now.

00:01:44 --> 00:01:48 I just titrated the dose up to the recommended daily amount set

00:01:48 --> 00:01:49 by the manufacturer.

00:01:50 --> 00:01:52 And I'm noticing results.

00:01:54 --> 00:01:55 I still struggle a bit with sleep.

00:01:56 --> 00:01:59 I think it's because I fight so hard against it because of the

00:01:59 --> 00:02:00 flooding I discussed

00:02:00 --> 00:02:02 in the episode on somatic memory.

00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 It is a horrible sensation.

00:02:06 --> 00:02:07 However,

00:02:07 --> 00:02:08 it's only been a week,

00:02:08 --> 00:02:13 and I am noticing an incremental reduction in the time between

00:02:13 --> 00:02:14 going to bed and

00:02:14 --> 00:02:16 actually falling asleep.

00:02:17 --> 00:02:21 As I'm learning more about myself through the research I've

00:02:21 --> 00:02:21 been doing this year,

00:02:22 --> 00:02:26 I'm seeing true growth in emotional regulation,

00:02:26 --> 00:02:27 communication,

00:02:27 --> 00:02:31 and now changes in mood due to supplementation.

00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 Here's what the science says about lemon balm.

00:02:35 --> 00:02:37 And in the spirit of true confession,

00:02:38 --> 00:02:40 a lot of the science-y terms were unpronounceable,

00:02:41 --> 00:02:46 so I've linked the actual studies below this episode at momo634.com.

00:02:48 --> 00:02:48 Lemon balm,

00:02:49 --> 00:02:50 or Melissa officinalis,

00:02:51 --> 00:02:54 is a lemon-scented herb from the mint family.

00:02:55 --> 00:02:58 It's been used for centuries in traditional medicine,

00:02:58 --> 00:03:01 but modern science is now catching up,

00:03:01 --> 00:03:03 and the findings are compelling.

00:03:04 --> 00:03:09 A 2024 randomized placebo-controlled trial tested a single

00:03:09 --> 00:03:11 300-milligram dose of

00:03:11 --> 00:03:15 encapsulated lemon balm extract in adults with moderate stress.

00:03:16 --> 00:03:20 Participants were exposed to cognitive stressors throughout the day,

00:03:21 --> 00:03:25 and researchers measured mood and calmness at multiple intervals.

00:03:26 --> 00:03:26 The results?

00:03:27 --> 00:03:33 Lemon balm significantly enhanced calmness and mood compared to placebo,

00:03:33 --> 00:03:36 even during periods of cognitive overload.

00:03:37 --> 00:03:41 Another 2023 study in patients with type 2 diabetes and

00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 comorbid depression found

00:03:44 --> 00:03:48 that 700 milligrams a day of lemon balm extract led to

00:03:48 --> 00:03:50 statistically significant

00:03:50 --> 00:03:55 reductions in both depression and anxiety scores over 12 weeks.

00:03:56 --> 00:03:59 Lemon balm contains rosmarinic acid,

00:04:00 --> 00:04:01 ursolic acid,

00:04:01 --> 00:04:03 and oleanolic acid,

00:04:03 --> 00:04:07 compounds shown to inhibit an enzyme that breaks down GABA,

00:04:07 --> 00:04:10 the brain's primary calming neurotransmitter.

00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 By slowing GABA breakdown,

00:04:14 --> 00:04:17 lemon balm may increase GABA levels in the brain,

00:04:18 --> 00:04:21 promoting relaxation without sedation.

00:04:21 --> 00:04:25 It also interacts with specific pathways in the brain,

00:04:25 --> 00:04:29 which may help to explain effects on mood and cognitive clarity.

00:04:30 --> 00:04:35 Studies show lemon balm may improve sleep onset and quality,

00:04:35 --> 00:04:39 especially when combined with other calming herbs like valerian.

00:04:40 --> 00:04:44 It's also been linked to enhanced memory and psychomotor

00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 performance in stress-inducing tasks.

00:04:48 --> 00:04:50 In all of these episodes on supplements,

00:04:50 --> 00:04:54 I've mentioned God's pharmacy is the best pharmacy.

00:04:55 --> 00:04:58 A medical doctor I follow on social media has been sharing

00:04:58 --> 00:05:00 amazing information on

00:05:00 --> 00:05:02 botanicals and essential oils.

00:05:03 --> 00:05:04 I believe,

00:05:04 --> 00:05:05 as the one who created us,

00:05:06 --> 00:05:11 God has the owner's manual and has provided for our every need

00:05:11 --> 00:05:12 before ever placing

00:05:12 --> 00:05:13 us on this earth,

00:05:14 --> 00:05:17 knowing that illness and disease would be ushered in after the

00:05:17 --> 00:05:19 fall of mankind in

00:05:19 --> 00:05:19 the garden.

00:05:20 --> 00:05:24 God certainly has taken some of the lemons handed to me this

00:05:24 --> 00:05:26 year and made refreshing lemonade.

00:05:27 --> 00:05:31 I feel truly blessed during this season of growth and learning.

00:05:32 --> 00:05:34 What are you thankful for today?

00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 Share your thoughts below.

00:05:39 --> 00:05:40 Thanks for listening.

00:05:41 --> 00:05:44 To have episodes and or the daily Bible verse emailed,

00:05:44 --> 00:05:47 subscribe at momo634.com.

00:05:47 --> 00:05:51 To receive bonus perks and support this podcast,

00:05:51 --> 00:05:54 please become a premium Substack subscriber.

00:05:54 --> 00:05:55 Additionally,

00:05:55 --> 00:05:58 check out our line of devotional notebooks,

00:05:58 --> 00:05:59 inspirational wear,

00:05:59 --> 00:06:02 and faith-based gift items at the shop button at momo634.com.

00:06:02 --> 00:06:03 Have a blessed day.