Rest, Relax and Recover: A Deep Dive into Total Rest
Total Rest is Healthmasters’ answer for people who struggle with winding down at night or feeling calm during the day. Instead of relying on one ingredient, the powder combines several science‑backed nutrients—myo‑inositol, GABA, taurine, L‑theanine and magnesium—along with natural cherry flavor, beet powder, malic and citric acids, and stevia. Each scoop provides 75 mg of magnesium (as di‑magnesium malate), 2 g of myo‑inositol, 500 mg of taurine, 100 mg of GABA and 50 mg of Suntheanine L‑theanine. These ingredients work on different aspects of the nervous system—from neurotransmitter balance to cell signalling—to promote relaxation and restorative sleep. Below we explain what each component does and summarize the research behind it.
Myo‑Inositol – Enhancing Serotonin Signalling
Myo‑inositol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol found in fruits, grains and the human body. It is a key component of cell membranes and acts as a messenger molecule for many hormones and neurotransmitters. Because of its role in the phosphatidylinositol cycle, myo‑inositol helps relay signals from serotonin receptors, which may explain why it has been studied for mood disorders.
A 2025 review of psychiatric trials reported that high‑dose inositol (12 g/day) reduced symptoms of depression, panic disorder and obsessive‑compulsive disorder, with effects comparable to antidepressants [1] . The same review noted that inositol is safe and well‑tolerated even at high doses (up to 18 g/day) [1]. Thus, myo-inositol is a gentle way to promote a calm mood and healthy sleep patterns.
GABA – Putting the Brakes on Overactive Nerves
Gamma‑aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the brain’s main inhibitory neurotransmitter—it helps quiet neuronal firing and promotes relaxation. Oral GABA appears to cross the blood–brain barrier in small amounts and exerts measurable effects.
In a small study, participants who took GABA showed higher alpha‑wave activity (the brain waves associated with relaxation) and lower beta‑wave activity compared with water or L‑theanine, indicating greater calmness [2]. Under acute stress (crossing a high footbridge), the GABA group also maintained higher salivary IgA levels, suggesting enhanced immune function during stressful situations [2].
More recently, a randomized controlled trial gave insomniacs 75 mg of natural GABA nightly. After four weeks, the GABA group fell asleep more quickly (sleep latency dropped from ~9 minutes to ~4.8 minutes), spent more time in slow‑wave (deep) sleep, and showed lower arousal during the night compared with placebo [3]. There were no adverse effects [3].
Together, these findings suggest that supplemental GABA helps calm the mind, improve sleep onset and enhance restorative deep sleep.
Taurine – A Calming Neuromodulator
Taurine is a conditionally essential amino acid that plays many roles in the nervous system, from osmoregulation and calcium buffering to neurotransmission.
Scientific reviews reveal that taurine acts as a weak agonist of GABAA, glycine and NMDA receptors, meaning it can partially substitute for GABA to inhibit excessive neuronal activity [4]. Acute taurine increases GABA receptor activity, while chronic taurine intake up‑regulates glutamate decarboxylase—the enzyme that makes GABA. Through these actions, taurine helps balance excitatory and inhibitory signals, which may explain why it reduces hyperexcitability and provides neuroprotection [4].
Taurine also protects cells by controlling calcium influx, regulating autophagy and serving as an osmolyte [4]. By including taurine alongside GABA and magnesium, Total Rest taps into the amino acid’s ability to modulate calming neurotransmission and support cellular homeostasis.
L‑Theanine – Relaxation Without Drowsiness
L‑theanine is a unique amino acid found in green tea. This amino acid helps to reduce glutamate activity and increasing alpha brain waves. Human research backs this up.
In a triple‑blind, placebo‑controlled crossover study, moderately stressed adults took 200 mg of L‑theanine and then performed a stressful mental arithmetic task. Compared with placebo, L‑theanine led to a greater increase in frontal and whole‑scalp alpha‑wave power three hours after dosing [5]. Salivary cortisol—a marker of stress—decreased more with L‑theanine than with placebo one hour after dosing. Participants reported feeling calmer, and no adverse events were observed [5]. These changes indicate that L‑theanine promotes relaxation and reduces stress without causing drowsiness. When combined with GABA and taurine, it may enhance the overall calming effect of Total Rest.
Magnesium – The Relaxation Mineral
Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions and is critical for nerve transmission, muscle relaxation and energy production [6]. Many diets lack this mineral; one survey estimated that 68 % of Americans are magnesium deficient. Low magnesium levels are linked to anxiety, agitation, poor concentration and sleep disturbances.
A chapter on magnesium and neuroses notes that magnesium supplementation can decrease anxiety, panic and phobias and improve attention and sleep [6]. The authors explain that magnesium works by reducing presynaptic glutamate release, blocking NMDA receptors (which prevents excessive excitation), modulating metabotropic glutamate receptors to enhance GABA release, and lowering catecholamine release [6].
These mechanisms help shift the brain toward calmness and protect against overstimulation. In Total Rest, magnesium is provided as di‑magnesium malate, a bioavailable form that pairs the mineral with malic acid.
Supporting Ingredients – Malic and Citric Acids, Cherry and Beet
In addition to the core nutrients, Total Rest includes malic and citric acids for solubility and a pleasant tart flavor. Malic acid feeds directly into the Krebs cycle to support energy production. A pilot study in fibromyalgia patients suggested that higher doses of malic acid (with magnesium) reduced muscle pain and tenderness without side effects [7].
Citric acid not only participates in energy metabolism but also has antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory properties; low doses reduced brain lipid peroxidation and inflammatory cytokines in a mouse model of systemic inflammation [8].
Natural cherry flavor and beet powder provide anthocyanins—pigments with antioxidant and cognitive benefits. Systematic reviews report that anthocyanin supplements can improve short‑term memory, working memory and attention [9], while a randomized trial found they improved cognition in people with high inflammation [10].
Finally, stevia leaf extract adds sweetness along with polyphenols that exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant and lipase‑inhibiting activities [11].
The Bottom Line
Each scoop of Total Rest delivers a carefully balanced blend of myo‑inositol, GABA, taurine, L‑theanine and magnesium to promote relaxation, restore calm mood and support deep, restorative sleep. Myo‑inositol enhances serotonin signalling, GABA quiets overactive neural circuits, taurine acts as a neuromodulator and cell protector, L‑theanine boosts alpha brain waves and lowers stress hormones, and magnesium modulates excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission while supporting hundreds of enzymatic reactions. Natural acids and plant pigments add gentle antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory support. Together, these ingredients create a comprehensive formula that can help you unwind, sleep soundly and wake feeling refreshed.
References
[1] Fijałek, P., Karczmarz, J., Paprocka, A., Gutowska, M., Kosińska, A., Świrk, U., Belcarz, W., Kalinowska, K., Orzechowski, M., & Orzechowska, J. (2025). Inositol – multidimensional support for metabolic and mental health. Medical Science, 29(156), e23ms3530. https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v29i156.e23ms3530
[2] Abdou, A. M., et al. (2006). Relaxation and immunity enhancement effects of γ‑aminobutyric acid (GABA) administration in humans. Biofactors, 26(3), 201–208. https://doi.org/10.1002/biof.5520260305
[3] Yoon, S., Byun, J. I., & Shin, W. C. (2022). Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid From Unpolished Rice Germ as a Health Functional Food for Promoting Sleep: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of clinical neurology (Seoul, Korea), 18(4), 478–480. https://doi.org/10.3988/jcn.2022.18.4.478
[4] Schaffer, S., & Kim, H. W. (2018). Effects and mechanisms of taurine as a therapeutic agent. Biomolecules & Therapeutics, 26(3), 225–241. https://doi.org/10.4062/biomolther.2017.251
[5] Evans, M., et al. (2021). A randomized, triple‑blind, placebo‑controlled crossover study to investigate the efficacy of AlphaWave® L‑theanine on stress in healthy adults. Neurology and Therapy, 10(2), 1061–1078. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40120-021-00284-x
[6] Papadopol, V., & Nechifor, M. (2011). Magnesium in neuroses and neuroticism. In Vink R. & Nechifor M. (Eds.), Magnesium in the Central Nervous System (pp. 103–117). University of Adelaide Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507254/
[7] Russell, I. J., et al. (1995). Treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome with Super Malic: A randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled pilot study. Journal of Rheumatology, 22(5), 953–958. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8587088
[8] Abdel Salam, O. M. E., et al. (2014). Citric acid effects on brain and liver oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide‑treated mice. Journal of Medicinal Food, 17(5), 588–598. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2013.0065
[9] Lorzadeh, E., Weston‑Green, K., & Green, S. (2025). The effect of anthocyanins on cognition: A systematic review and meta‑analysis of randomized clinical trials. Current Nutrition Reports, 14(1), 23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-024-00595-z
[10] Finger, N.J. (2024). A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of purified anthocyanins on cognitive function in individuals at elevated risk for dementia: Analysis of inflammatory biomarkers toward personalized interventions. Experimental Gerontology, 196, Article 112569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2024.112569
[11] Myint, K. Z., et al. (2023). Stevia polyphenols, their antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory properties, and inhibitory effect on digestive enzymes. Molecules, 28(22), 7572. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28227572
*The matters discussed in this article are for informational purposes only and not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare practitioner on the matters discussed herein.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Healthmasters' products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
