Rhodiola
Rhodiola may enhance learning capacity and memory. It may also be useful for insomnia associated with stress or depression. It has been suggested that rhodiola may enhance our mood and fight depression by stimulating the activity of neurotransmitters that are crucial to mental well-being.

Melatonin
Melatonin, an antioxidant hormone naturally produced in the body, blocks the negative effects of cortisol on the immune system. It may be especially useful for the prevention of autoimmune disease and for enhancing the effects of endorphins, the body’s own painkillers. Melatonin normalizes cortisol levels and thereby protects the heart and blood vessels, the brain and the bones from stress-induced harm. It also prevents the rise of blood sugars while under stress. These defensive actions may help prevent heart disease, memory loss, depression, osteoporosis and diabetes caused by stress.

DHEA
DHEA counteracts the negative effects of stress hormones on health. A hormone produced by the adrenal glands, it seems to have an inverse relationship with cortisol; the higher the level of stress hormones, the lower DHEA levels tend to be. This may explain why we tend to suffer more from the effects of stress as we age when DHEA levels naturally decline. DHEA seems to protect the immune system and the heart from the negative effects of stress.

DHEA should not be taken unless a deficiency has been identified by testing. It should be taken under the supervision of a licensed health care provider.