In 1997, Dr. Craig Hudson invented a proprietary formula to aid an increasing number of people suffering from various sleep problems. Most of these people had tried different medications and were dissatisfied with the options available to them and many had just given up hope for an effective solution. Dr. Hudson's formula is comprised of a natural source of tryptophan derived from Hay River pumpkin seed meal, which is an essential amino acid our bodies can normally only get from food sources. Tryptophan metabolizes into serotonin, and in a nighttime environment, turns into melatonin which allows us to fall asleep naturally.

Pumpkin seeds when ingested alone, however, are not a sufficient source of tryptophan. This is due to intense competition from other amino acids, which are also part of pumpkin seed protein, for access to transport sites across the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB). Zenbev's natural source of tryptophan is combined with other precise ingredients that help it to function optimally. A small amount of a high glycemic index (GI) carbohydrate is specifically included in the formulation. Its role is to combine with the other amino acids and shunt them toward the liver, thus leaving tryptophan, which is largely protein-bound, with a clear advantage to get into the brain.

Zenbev can be taken during the day to provide a powerful source of tryptophan, a precursor for serotonin. Serotonin regulates mood, emotion and appetite, and is well-known to alleviate stress, anxiety and depression. Other purported benefits of ingesting a natural source of tryptophan include easing chronic pain symptoms, weight loss and increased libido.

Tryptophan is light sensitive, meaning it metabolizes differently in light vs. dark conditions. When taken during daylight hours Zenbev's tryptophan becomes serotonin providing the afore mentioned benefits. If taken at night, Zenbev's tryptophan turns into serotonin, which then metabolizes into melatonin, thus activating the brain's own sleep mechanism. As the brain produces the exact amount of melatonin that it requires, the body is primed for a natural, restful sleep.

Virtually every sleep medication, either herbal or pharmaceutical, disrupts sleep architecture. Medications currently available tend to increase light sleep (stages 1 and 2) at the expense of deep sleep (stages 3 and 4) as well as inhibiting REM sleep which results in side effects of drowsiness and lack of refreshment. As the tryptophan in Zenbev allows the brain to produce melatonin, none of the sleep stages are compromised, resulting in a preservation of sleep architecture and a deep, uninterrupted sleep.

Since the melatonin produced in our brains is responsible for the onset of sleep, many people try to take synthetically-produced melatonin. Over-the-counter melatonin should not be considered natural. One of the issues with synthetic melatonin is the short half-life in the body. The half-life should be measured in several hours. Synthetic melatonin leaves the body quite rapidly with a half-life of less than one hour which means the effect is lost midway during the night. Consequently, a higher dosage is required, resulting in a hangover effect the next day.

Although melatonin is thought to be 'natural', when used in high dosages it overrides the brain's natural sleep chemistry by providing too much of the end product. The brain loses its chance to regulate the production of this important sleep hormone. More importantly, the body does not have an opportunity to suppress production of melatonin when sleep is coming to the end. The brain has evolved an elaborate process of producing and regulating melatonin so that just the right amount is used in just the right area of the brain.

It may seem convenient to circumvent the process and provide super dosages of melatonin to the body to produce sleep, but it ignores normal sleep physiology resulting in increased difficulties which are not necessary. Zenbev provides the ingredients and circumstances in order for the brain to determine when and how much melatonin is needed, resulting in a good night's sleep.