Newswise — New York, New York . . May 22, 2015. During a symposium at the Association for Psychological Sciences Conference on Saturday afternoon, world-renowned researchers from Swinburne University in Australia announced the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in which a L-Theanine-based beverage (neuro BLISS) significantly reduced stress and cortisol levels in healthy, young adults.

Highlights of the symposium chaired by Dr. David White include a discussion of exciting new research on stress and cortisol reduction conducted by Andrew Scholey, BSc (Hons) Ph.D., CPsychol AFBPsS., of Swinburne University of Technology, Department of Psychopharmacology, Melbourne, Australia. The trial’s statistically significant results include:• Acute stress reduction • Reduction in cortisol levels• Shifting of brain waves to the alpha spectrum as confirmed by magnetoencephalography (MEG). Alpha spectrum brain waves are associated with a relaxed state of focused concentration• This marks the first use of MEG technology to evaluate the effects of a natural ingredient presented in a functional beverage.

The trial evaluated thirty-four healthy, male and female subjects, after consuming one bottle of neuro BLISS. Stress, cortisol and other cognitive functions were measured at one and three hours. Stress was induced using the clinically validated Multitasking Framework Assessment. MEG (magnetoencephalography) was employed to analyze region-specific changes in the brain. MEG analysis involves attentional tasks with both visual and auditory cues. Previous research was conducted using EEG. Whilst EEG records the brain’s electrical activity, MEG records the corresponding magnetic field without the smearing effect of conduction through the skull which limits the spatial resolution of EEG. Differences in alpha activity were probed during completion of an attentional cuing task between placebo and L-theanine conditions.

The results of the trial have been submitted to a prestigious scientific journal for publication.

L-Theanine (as L-TeaActive®) is found in green tea and is the primary functional ingredient of a proprietary formula found only in neuro BLISS.

Chris Noonan, MPH, working on behalf of NeuroBrands stated, “This is truly ground breaking research and the company is proud to play a role in developing this science. Neuro built their products to be truly functional and provide acute health benefits, never skimping on the quality of their ingredients or the amounts required to be safe and effective. This research validates what their customers already know – neuro drinks work.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Professor Andrew Scholey is director of the Centre for Human Psychopharmacology at Swinburne University, Melbourne. He is a leading international researcher into the neurocognitive effects of natural products, supplements and food components, having published over 170 peer-reviewed journal articles, and 15 books and book chapters. Scholey has been lead investigator in a series of studies into the human biobehavioural effects of natural products, and their neurocognition-enhancing and anti-stress/anxiolytic properties (including first-into human neurocognitive assessment of Ginseng, Sage and Lemon balm amongst others). His current research focuses on neuroimaging and biomarker techniques to better understand the mechanisms of cognitive enhancement.

Dr. David White is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia. He received his PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience in 2013, in which he studied the role of brain oscillatory activity in memory and learning, and potential manipulations of this activity to enhance cognitive processes. In his role at the Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Dr. White is responsible for the implementation neuroimaging methods, including EEG, MRI, MEG, and SST in clinical trials investigating the neurocognitive effects of nutraceutical and nutritional interventions, such as glucose and caffeine, multivitamin and mineral combinations, as well as L-theanine, flavonoids and omega-3 fatty acids.

Neuro drinks may be found throughout the United States in traditional grocery, drug stores and convenience stores. For a location near you use out store locator at: http://www.drinkneuro.com/find-neuro

The study was funded by an unrestricted research grant from was co-funded by NeuroBrands and Blue California (L-TeaActive). NeuroBrands supplied samples of neuro BLISS for the study. The protocol underwent academic review by Swinburne University of Technology’s independent ethic committee, Melbourne, Australia. The sponsoring companies had no control over the study’s results and their publication.

These claims have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.