New Clinical Research Supports Givaudan’s Zensera for Stress-Related Cognitive Performance

Editor’s note: this article has been updated on April 22, 2026 at 10:45am ET to include information about Vitafoods Europe.

Givaudan has announced the publication of new clinical research supporting the cognitive and mood benefits of its lemon balm–derived ingredient, Zensera.¹ The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology in February 2026.²

The company will be present at Vitafoods 2026 at booth #3B96 to discuss its wellbeing portfolio and how Zensera can support cognitive performance under stress.

Study Design and Results

The study, titled “The acute effects of Zensera extract on mood and cognitive performance during cognitive overload,” investigated the short-term effects of the ingredient in healthy adults (aged 18–40) experiencing moderate stress. Derived from Melissa officinalis, Zensera is positioned as a nature-based solution for supporting calmness and mental performance in high-pressure environments.

In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 106 participants were subjected to periods of high cognitive demand and assessed at multiple intervals over one day following supplementation. The results demonstrated that individuals receiving a single dose (300 mg) of Zensera showed statistically significant improvements in performance on complex cognitive tasks compared to placebo, particularly at five hours post-consumption, considered the peak of the day’s cognitive overload.

Outcomes measurements included subjective calmness and mental fatigue, auditory verbal learning test, task switching task, Rapid Visual Information Processing Task, as well as heart rate and blood pressure taken at the end of the cognitive tests.

Overall, no overall differences in treatment-related calmness throughout the day were reported. However, the study also identified a meaningful relationship between emotional state and cognitive outcomes. Participants who consumed Zensera reported increased calmness and contentment, which correlated with improved task performance. As the study explained, “there was tentative evidence for protective mood effects of Zensera indicated by a greater recovery in calmness between the cognitive batteries relative to placebo.” These findings suggested that emotional regulation and cognitive efficiency are closely linked.

Ultimately, the researchers concluded that, “the present findings suggest that a 300 mg dose of Zensera may enhance cognitive performance under conditions of cognitive overload by facilitating a calm but focused mood state required for optimum cognitive function and by supporting a greater recovery in calmness during periods of rest between demanding tasks.” Additionally, potential for cardiovascular benefits was demonstrated by Zensera’s effect on diastolic blood pressure. Future research on Zensera should focuse on the various mechanisms of lemon balm in order to further tap into the therapeutic effects, the researchers added.

Zensera Formulation and Benefits

According to data from Innova Market Insights cited by Givaudan, stress, anxiety, and sleep are top focuses of consumer concern globally for women’s mental health.³ The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis is part of the response to stress caused by cognitive overload, explain the researchers in the Zensera study, with overactivation associated with health issues, though pharmacological interventions for addressing mild to moderate stress can be associated with side effects, causing increasing interest in alternatives.

Lemon balm is associated with enhancing sleep and mood and reducing anxiety, and previous research has demonstrated its interaction with the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis through cortisol modulation, the study explains. Additionally, some research on vulnerable populations reported no side effects from lemon balm administration.

According to Givaudan, the research on Zensera underscores its broader strategy of combining botanical expertise with rigorous clinical validation. “The publication of this study in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology validates our scientific research and underlines the efficacy of the ingredient,” stated Romain le Cozannet, PhD, Mind & Energy Category Technical Leader at Givaudan, in an April news release. “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.”

This article was created with assistance from AI. The content has been reviewed and edited by Erin McEvoy, Associate Editor. For more information on the extent and nature of AI usage, please contact us.

References

1. Givaudan. Published study validates Givaudan’s Zensera™ for same day cognitive support under stress. Article provided via email April 20, 2026. Accessed April 20, 2026.
2. Mathews I, Eastwood J, Bell L, Lamport D, Le Cozannet R, Fanca-Berthon P, et al. The acute effects of Zensera™ (Melissa officinalis L.) extract on mood and cognitive performance during cognitive overload: a randomised placebo-controlled, double-blind study in healthy young adults with moderate subjective stress. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2026;16:20451253261415706. doi: 10.1177/20451253261415706.
3. Innova Market Insights. Global Ingredients for Women’s Health Supplements. May 21, 2025. Accessed April 20, 2026. https://www.innovamarketinsights.com/reports/ingredients-for-womens-health-supplements-global-market-overview/