Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)
Lemon balm is an herb commonly used as a calming/sleep supplement and in teas. Products range from mild teas to concentrated extracts, and the effect profile can vary a lot by dose and preparation. In human studies and reviews, lemon balm is generally discussed for stress, sleep, and anxiety-type symptoms, with sedation/drowsiness being a common “felt” effect for many users (PMC),
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This page summarizes anecdotal reports and community observations, not medical evidence. Reports may be incomplete, biased or inaccurate and are not medical advice or recommendations. “Risk” here refers to how frequently severe or prolonged symptom worsening is reported, not to proven causation or population-wide probability. Individual responses vary widely, and absence of issues in some users does not rule out significant reactions in others.
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Within PFS/PSSD/PAS communities, lemon balm is discussed in relation to its potential interactions with GABA signaling pathways. A frequently cited pathway is inhibition of GABA-transaminase (GABA-T)—an enzyme that breaks down GABA—via constituents such as rosmarinic acid, which could increase GABA availability in the brain. Separately, there's also literature noting thyroid-related effects in vitro (e.g., inhibiting stimulation of thyroid hormone production by TSH/Graves' antibodies), which is a reminder that this herb can touch multiple systems beyond "just relaxation." These mechanisms may interact with pathways involving GABA signaling, neurosteroid modulation, or thyroid function that are often discussed in relation to PFS / PSSD / PAS.
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Reports of Flares and Sometimes Lasting Worsening (for PFS/PSSD/PAS):
Among individuals who already have PFS/PSSD/PAS, lemon balm is often treated with moderate caution because crash/flare reports exist, and the perceived upside is usually modest (mostly sedation/short-term calming rather than durable syndrome improvement). When negative reactions are described, people often frame them as worsened emotional blunting/anhedonia, “feeling more numb,” fatigue/brain fog, sleep disruption (paradoxical), or a general destabilization—especially in those who already react poorly to GABA-/sedation-leaning substances.
For individuals without these conditions, lemon balm is widely used and generally well tolerated, but it can still cause side effects in some users, particularly at higher doses or when combined with other sedatives.
Evidence basis: Anecdotal reports (online forums, self-reports); mechanistic research on GABA-transaminase inhibition; no controlled studies examining PFS/PSSD/PAS-specific outcomes.
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Public comments reflect individual experiences and opinions. They are not medical advice and may not be accurate or representative.