Product Reviews,  Herbal Supplements

Calm Now Zhou Review – Soothing Stress Formula

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We all love natural options to reduce stress and anxiety. But with so many supplements available it’s hard to tell which ones are snake-oil and which are the real deal.

The Calm Now supplement claims to keep you calm and focused throughout the day, but does it actually work? I gave it a try and here is what I found.

What is Calm Now?

Calm Now by Zhou Nutrition is a dietary supplement designed to keep you calm, focused, and present throughout the day.

Formulated with the busy person in mind, it helps battle stress, balance your mood, and improve your well-being. The formula uses herbs and vitamins to bring your body back to a state of balance.

Zhou Nutrition sells a wide range of personal health and nutrition supplements, and has received strong reviewers from their customers. Their products are made by manufacturers who operate Food & Drug Administration Registered and Inspected Facilities, which are subject to strict Good Manufacturing Processes Standards. The team consists of experts with experience in various areas of health and nutrition. The company also offers a phenomenal 60 day money back guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied.

Calm Now Soothing Stress Formula

Calm Now Benefits

It’s packed full of adaptogens.  These are highly studied plants that can help your body adapt to physical, chemical, and environmental stress. While Calm Now by Zhou will help you relax, it does not have the sleepiness factor like some other “chill-pills.” The combination of B vitamins, Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea, and other adaptogens in a single supplement is unique.

Calm Now Review

After taking for a few weeks, I noticed an increase in alertness without the jittery side-effects of too much caffeine. It also improved my ability to handle stress. As advertised! Who knows it could be a placebo effect, but the feeling is positive so maybe it’s worth it!

I give Calm Now a 5/5 rating based on its effectiveness. I’ve been taking Calm Now consistently for the past 9 months, and I’m still enjoying the results. I’m also experimenting with taking it before doing a guided meditation, but I haven’t tried this enough to report on it.

Immediate Changes

I’ve been taking the two capsules in the morning (the recommended dose) almost every day. The pills are small compared to my daily vitamin, making them easy to swallow. 

After one week, I had better concentration and focus at work, with a less stress. I had a major issue at work that was a good high-pressure test. I was proud of my immediate reactions and on-the-fly decisions. Part of me thinks this supplement helped me out here, but it’s hard to say for sure.

In previous high-pressure situations, I haven’t handled my actions as elegantly. With Calm Now, I also feel a slight improvement in memory and feel like I have a faster response in conversations. I have been sleeping well, so no real changes since I started taking Calm Now. My stamina both at work (mental) and at the gym (physical) also increased after taking the supplement.

Longer Term Impacts

In the first three months of taking Calm Now,  I lost about 15 lbs. My appetite also increased slightly. Adaptogens such as Ashwagandha are known to have impacts on thyroid and metabolism, so I’m not entirely surprised. Perhaps this helped with a thyroid correction when I began taking the supplement. I was a bit concerned given the rapid weight-loss, but after the three months, my weight stabilized. I hope those 15lbs don’t come back when I stop taking it!

For now, I plan to continue taking Calm Now. The benefits are worthwhile and I haven’t experienced any of the negative stomach issues some people have reported in reviews. For those looking for an extra edge on stress and anxiety, this product is worth a try.

Pros

  • This supplement led to measurable results (self-diagnosed) for me
  • thousands of reviews on Amazon and 3rd party sites from people who have had positive experiences similar to mine
  • A well researched formula with a unique combination of vitamins, herbs, and plants with scientific backing to improve stress and anxiety.

Cons

  • The price is higher than a typical multivitamin or herbal supplement. You are paying a premium price for this unique blend of ingredients.
  • If you do get positive results from this product, it will be difficult to find cheaper alternatives that offer same high-quality ingredient profile.
  • Given the mix of ingredients, you won’t know if it’s one particular ingredient that is helping or a combination of ingredients driving the results.

Does Calm Now Work?

This product is highly-rated on its own website and is one of the top-rated anti-anxiety supplements on Amazon.

Calm Now CapsulesThose who gave Calm Now negative reviews claimed it did not work. Of the negative reviews, some of the noted side-effects include headache, feeling of vertigo, dizziness, stomach cramps, nausea, and drowsiness. Keep in mind this is a very small population and Zhou offers a 60-day money-back guarantee for anyone not satisfied with the product. It’s also a good reminder that herbs and supplements affect everyone differently. Start with one capsule per day to see how your body reacts.

Read all reviews on Amazon here

What Are the Calm Now Ingredients?

Calm Now Nutritional Facts

Calm Now has a mix of studied herbs and vitamins with impressive results. Ingredients include Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea, Passion Flower, Bacopa Monnieri, Hawthorn Berry, Lemon Balm & more. Calm Now is made with non-GMO ingredients, it’s Lab Verified, GMP friendly, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, Gluten-Free, and Soy-Free.

These are ingredients that are well-researched and generally considered safe. 

Ashwagandha – 200 mg

The ancient herb has been used for thousands of years, most commonly in Indian Medicine for its ability to balance the body and mind. Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress, lower blood pressure, improve memory, and increase cognitive abilities.

Rhodiola Rosea – 200 mg

Rhodiola Rosea, also known as the Golden Root, is an adaptogen known for its ability to balance stress hormones. Rhodiola has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine for its ability to improve stamina and reduce stress. It’s well-known from studies in Russia showing its ability to fight insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and even cancer in some cases.

Bacopa Monnieri – 200 mg

Also known as Brahmi, Bacopa is used to treat a number of mental health concerns. In recent studies, Bacopa has been shown to reduce anxiety and lower levels of stress, especially those who struggle with chronic stress. It can improve memory and brain function, which is why it’s been a common option for those battling Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia.

Passion Flower

This calming extract promotes a balanced mood and more restful sleep. Combining with other herbs can also increase it’s potency, making it a good addition to Calm Now’s Botanical Blend.

Hawthorn Berry

Hawthorn is known as the “heart herb” for its cardio-protective abilities. It was likely included in the blend for its ability to help lower blood pressure and improve overall health. It can help rid your body of free radicals which can lead to cellular damage.

All of Calm Now’s ingredients are Lab Certified, Non-GMO, and produced with GMP (Good Manufacturing Process).

Calm Now Side Effects

Similar to any supplement, Calm Now can lead to side effects. Some of the most common include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Stomach Cramps
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Feelings of anxiety

I know these sound a little scary for a supplement intended to reduce anxiety and stress, but these are rare cases (based on everything I’ve found). Though rare, you need to understand all potential side effects before you start taking and supplement.

About Zhou Nutrition

The product is manufactured by Zhou Nutrition, a food supplement and nutrition manufacturer committed to creating solutions that bring out the greatness inside of you and help you flourish in every area of life. They have a handful of high-rated supplements

Alternatives to Calm Now

As you would guess there are other options out there too. While we recommend Calm Now and stand behind it, know that it’s not the only product designed to fight stress and anxiety. During your research process you may also consider the following:

Zen Anxiety and Stress Supplement – This product uses a similar combination of adaptogens, vitamins, and calming herbs to help bring your body back to a state of balance. You can read our full Zen Anxiety Supplement review here

Nature’s Nutrition: Anxiety Supplements Natural Stress Support – This supplement take a different approach with ingredients like St. John’s Wort and 5-HTP. 

Hum Nutrition: Big Chill– With a high 500mg dose of Rhodiola Rosea, this may be a good option for you if you don’t want to try a product that has dozens of ingredients. It’s simple, and the fact that it has only one active ingredient helps reduce the risk of side effects and interactions with other supplements.

Chamomile tea is also a good option for an alternative because of a chemical it has called apigenin, that binds to GABA receptors. These types of receptors are also bound to by common anti-anxiety medicines.

Safety Information

Do not exceed recommended dose. Pregnant or nursing mothers, children under 18 and individuals with a known medical condition should consult a physician before using this or any dietary supplement. Calm Now is not to be used as a treatment for any disease or health problem. Please use caution if you have sensitivity to any of the listed ingredients.

Other Products by Zhou Nutrition

Elder-Mune Sambucus Elderberry Gummies – Antioxidant Flavonoids, Immune Support Gummy Vitamins

Elder-Mune is an effective antioxidant powerhouse because it offers maximum strength sambucus elderberry with 125mg per serving and an added punch of vitamin C and zinc.

Black Seed Oil Capsules – Cold Pressed Source of Omega 3, 6, 9

Black Seed Oil Capsules may be especially useful for anyone looking to support a healthy immune system, joint comfort and mobility, healthy heart function, radiant skin, lustrous hair, and digestive comfort.

Lyte Up Advanced Electrolyte Supplement

Lyte Up is an advanced electrolyte complex that provide the optimal amount of calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride, and phosphate in just one easy-to-swallow capsule.

Bottom Line

Do you struggle with stress, anxiety, nervousness? Are you looking to improve your mood? If so, Calm Now by Zhou might be worth a try.

Interested in learning more about the benefits of Ashwagandha? Read our in-depth Ashwagandha guide here.

Ashley Holladay focuses on writing and research for a variety of health and wellness topics. She's a partner at Mindful Searching, a website dedicated to providing accurate information around mental health and wellness. She has a relentless drive to better herself and those around her.