Xymogen® Sleep & Performance: The Pharmacist's Guide to Restorative Sleep & Athletic Recovery

Dai Tran, PharmD, MBA, B.S.

CEO & Lead Pharmacist, Khang Pharmacy • CA/MN/TX Licensed Pharmacist

Clinical Insights Series • APhA Immunization Certified • 10+ Years Clinical Experience

The Clinical Question

Xymogen® Sleep & Performance is a three-ingredient formula combining Shoden® ashwagandha extract, the DailyZz™ proprietary polyphenol blend (spearmint and green tea extracts), and Albion® magnesium bisglycinate chelate. It is designed to support sleep quality and overnight recovery in active individuals and those with stress-related sleep disruption.

This article reviews what human clinical research supports for each ingredient. The evidence below relates to the specific standardized extracts and doses studied in published trials; ingredient-level evidence does not establish the efficacy or safety of the finished combination product.

Supplement Facts (Per 2-Capsule Serving)

Serving size: 2 capsules | Servings per container: 30 | Suggested use: Take 2 capsules 30–60 minutes before bedtime as directed by your healthcare professional.

** Daily Value not established. Other ingredients: Capsule (hypromellose and water), ascorbyl palmitate, silica. Non-GMO. Gluten-free. Albion® is a registered trademark of Balchem Corporation. DailyZz™ is a trademark of Kemin Industries, Inc. Shoden® is a registered trademark of Arjuna Natural Pvt. Ltd.

Manufactured in a facility that may process tree nuts, peanuts, soy, dairy, eggs, wheat, fish, and shellfish.

What the Evidence Does — and Does Not — Establish

• Human clinical evidence: Each of the three major components in this formula has published randomized controlled research evaluating sleep-related outcomes using the relevant standardized ingredient or magnesium form.
• Preliminary: Sample sizes across the relevant trials are modest (60–155 participants), most trials are short-duration (4–8 weeks), and some key primary endpoints did not reach statistical significance. The evidence is promising but not definitive.
• Not established: That the three-ingredient combination produces additive or superior sleep benefit compared to individual ingredients or placebo. No combined human RCT exists for this specific formula.

Sleep, Recovery, and Why They Matter

Sleep is an important period for physiological recovery and is associated with processes including growth-hormone secretion, tissue repair, immune regulation, memory consolidation, and neural recovery. For active individuals, inadequate sleep can adversely affect physical recovery, cognitive performance, and adaptation to training. Supplement support for sleep quality is an area of active research; evidence quality varies by ingredient, extract standardization, and outcome studied.

Ingredient-by-Ingredient Evidence Review

Presented in order of current human clinical evidence strength for sleep outcomes.

1. Shoden® Ashwagandha Extract (roots and leaves, 35% withanolide glycosides) — 120 mg [Strongest evidence in this formula]

Shoden® is a standardized ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract containing 35% withanolide glycosides. Its concentrated standardization allows a relatively small absolute quantity of extract per serving. Whether differences in withanolide concentration between extracts translate into greater clinical effects has not been established by head-to-head comparative trials.

Sleep outcomes (primary evidence for this formula):

• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Deshpande et al., PMID: 32540634; n=150 healthy adults with non-restorative sleep) evaluated Shoden® 120 mg once daily versus placebo for 6 weeks. Sleep was assessed using subjective questionnaires (Restorative Sleep Questionnaire, WHOQOL) and actigraphy. The trial reported improvements in sleep efficiency, total sleep time, sleep latency, wake after sleep onset, and restorative sleep scores with Shoden® versus placebo. These findings apply to the specific standardized extract and studied population.

Stress and cortisol outcomes:

• A 60-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Lopresti et al., PMID: 31517876; n=60 stressed healthy adults) found Shoden® 240 mg/day was associated with greater reductions in HAM-A anxiety scores and morning cortisol compared with placebo. The DASS-21 difference was near-significant but did not reach the pre-specified threshold. The dose studied (240 mg/day) is higher than the 120 mg in this formula. Note: DHEA-S decreased in this trial, rather than increased — a finding that should not be generalized into claims of hormonal enhancement.
• A more recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (Mishra & Kumar, PMID: 39286132; n=60) evaluated Shoden® 60 or 120 mg/day versus placebo for 60 days and reported improvements in stress, anxiety, and select hormonal outcomes. Results at 120 mg/day are directly relevant to the dose in this formula.

What is not established: A separate crossover trial (Lopresti et al., PMID: 30854916) in aging overweight men reported increases in DHEA-S and testosterone with Shoden® versus placebo; however, these were not sleep outcomes and should not be interpreted as evidence of enhanced overnight recovery or anabolic effects in the general population.

2. DailyZz™ Proprietary Polyphenol Blend (Spearmint & Green Tea Extracts) — 485 mg [Published RCT evidence; industry-funded]

DailyZz™ is a proprietary blend developed by Kemin Industries combining spearmint (Mentha spicata) and green tea (Camellia sinensis) extracts, standardized to deliver polyphenols including rosmarinic acid and EGCG. The blend has been studied for sleep quality and daytime cognitive outcomes. Antioxidant and neuroinflammatory pathways have been proposed as possible mechanisms, but these mechanisms do not themselves establish clinical efficacy.

• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Tubbs et al., PMID: 33809544; n=89 completers with subclinical sleep disturbances) evaluated a 485-mg proprietary polyphenol botanical blend for 30 days. Among completers, the blend improved self-reported sleep quality and insomnia severity compared with placebo, with improvements in some measures of daytime cognitive performance. The blend did not significantly improve sleep-onset latency or REM sleep, which were primary hypotheses. This study was funded by Kemin Foods.
• DailyZz™ as a finished proprietary blend has the Tubbs et al. randomized controlled trial (PMID: 33809544) as its primary published human sleep evidence. Evidence from individual green tea or spearmint constituents should not be assumed to establish the efficacy of the finished blend.
• A separate randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Herrlinger et al., PMID: 29314866; n=90 adults with age-associated memory impairment) evaluated a proprietary spearmint extract at 600 or 900 mg/day for 90 days. Working-memory outcomes improved at 900 mg/day; participants also reported improved ability to fall asleep. Note: this study evaluated a different proprietary spearmint preparation at a higher dose than what is contained in DailyZz™; direct generalization is limited.

3. Magnesium (as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate) — 50 mg elemental [Preliminary direct RCT evidence; small effect size; dose gap]

Magnesium plays roles in GABA receptor modulation, melatonin regulation, and HPA axis activity — biological pathways relevant to sleep and stress response. Magnesium bisglycinate chelate (Albion®) is a chelated magnesium form commonly used in dietary supplements and generally considered to have favorable gastrointestinal tolerability. Comparative superiority over other magnesium formulations for sleep outcomes has not been established in direct head-to-head trials.

• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Schuster et al., PMID: 40918053; n=155 adults ages 18–65 with self-reported poor sleep) evaluated magnesium bisglycinate providing 250 mg elemental magnesium/day versus placebo for 4 weeks. Magnesium produced a statistically greater reduction in Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores than placebo (−3.9 vs −2.3 points; p=.049), although the between-group effect size was small (Cohen’s d=0.2). Other psychological outcomes were not significantly different. The findings provide preliminary direct evidence for magnesium bisglycinate in sleep but should be characterized as modest.
• Dose note: The dose studied (250 mg elemental magnesium/day) is substantially higher than the 50 mg in this formula. Whether the lower dose produces comparable sleep benefit should not be assumed.

Proposed Mechanisms

The formula addresses several biological pathways proposed to support sleep quality and overnight recovery:

• HPA axis and cortisol regulation: Ashwagandha (Shoden®) — cortisol reduction and stress adaptation documented in human RCTs
• GABAergic and neuroinflammatory pathways: DailyZz™ polyphenols (rosmarinic acid, EGCG) — proposed antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory effects; whether these mechanisms explain the clinical outcomes observed in the Tubbs et al. trial has not been established
• GABA receptor modulation and melatonin regulation: Magnesium bisglycinate — biologically plausible mechanisms; modest direct sleep RCT evidence at a higher dose than in this formula

These mechanisms are biologically plausible based on the available evidence. Whether they operate additively or synergistically in the finished three-ingredient combination, and at the specific doses in this formula, has not been established in a human clinical trial.

Safety & Medication Considerations

• Ashwagandha: Avoid use in pregnancy and lactation because of safety concerns and insufficient clinical safety data. Potential interactions with thyroid medications and immunosuppressants; discuss with your pharmacist.
• Sedative medications: Patients taking prescription sleep aids, benzodiazepines, or other CNS depressants should consult their pharmacist before adding botanical sleep support due to potential additive effects.
• Magnesium: Generally well-tolerated at studied doses. Use caution in patients with renal impairment.
• DailyZz™ polyphenols: Green tea extract contains residual caffeine; the amount in the blend is not specified in publicly available formulation information. Patients sensitive to caffeine should be aware.

Who May Consider Xymogen® Sleep & Performance?

• Active individuals and athletes seeking to support sleep quality and overnight recovery
• Adults experiencing stress-related sleep disruption who are interested in discussing the ashwagandha evidence reviewed above with a pharmacist
• Adults with self-reported poor sleep quality interested in a melatonin-free formula with standardized, trademarked extracts and published trial evidence
• Those who prefer a melatonin-free sleep formula
• Not appropriate for use during pregnancy or lactation without healthcare provider guidance

Selected Key Studies

1. HUMAN RCT Deshpande A, et al. A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study to evaluate the effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep quality in healthy adults. Sleep Med. 2020. PMID: 32540634.
   Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n=150 healthy adults with non-restorative sleep); Shoden® ashwagandha extract 120 mg once daily for 6 weeks. Evaluated via Restorative Sleep Questionnaire, WHOQOL, and actigraphy. Significant improvements versus placebo in sleep efficiency, total sleep time, sleep latency, wake after sleep onset, and restorative sleep scores. The most directly relevant trial to the dose and extract used in this formula.
2. HUMAN RCT — INDUSTRY FUNDED Tubbs AS, et al. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Polyphenol Botanical Blend on Sleep and Daytime Functioning. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(6):3044. PMID: 33809544.
   30-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n=89 completers with subclinical sleep disturbances) of a 485-mg proprietary polyphenol botanical blend. Improved self-reported sleep quality and insomnia severity; some daytime cognitive measures also improved. Sleep-onset latency and REM sleep (primary hypotheses) were not significantly improved. Funded by Kemin Foods.
3. HUMAN RCT Schuster J, et al. Magnesium Bisglycinate Supplementation in Healthy Adults Reporting Poor Sleep: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nat Sci Sleep. 2025;17:2027–2040. PMID: 40918053.
   Randomized, placebo-controlled trial (n=155 adults ages 18–65 with self-reported poor sleep); magnesium bisglycinate providing 250 mg elemental magnesium/day for 4 weeks. ISI decreased −3.9 vs −2.3 points with placebo (p=.049); between-group effect size was small (Cohen’s d=0.2). Other psychological outcomes not significantly different. Note: the 250 mg elemental dose studied is substantially higher than the 50 mg in this formula.
4. HUMAN RCT Lopresti AL, et al. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019. PMID: 31517876.
   Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n=60 stressed healthy adults); Shoden® 240 mg/day for 60 days. HAM-A anxiety scores and morning cortisol decreased significantly versus placebo; DASS-21 was near-significant. Dose studied (240 mg/day) is higher than the 120 mg in this formula. Note: DHEA-S decreased in this trial and should not be cited as hormonal enhancement evidence.
5. HUMAN RCT Herrlinger KA, et al. Spearmint extract improves working memory in men and women with age-associated memory impairment. J Altern Complement Med. 2018. PMID: 29314866.
   Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n=90 adults with age-associated memory impairment); proprietary spearmint extract 600 or 900 mg/day for 90 days. Working-memory outcomes improved at 900 mg/day; participants also reported improved ability to fall asleep. Different proprietary preparation at a higher dose than DailyZz™; direct generalization is limited.

Pharmacist’s Perspective

As a PharmD, I discuss Xymogen® Sleep & Performance with active patients who want sleep support without sedatives or melatonin. Its distinguishing feature is the use of trademarked, standardized extracts with published RCT evidence for each ingredient — Shoden® has the most directly relevant sleep trial at the formula’s exact 120 mg dose. The magnesium dose in this formula (50 mg elemental) is substantially lower than the 250 mg/day studied in the cited magnesium-bisglycinate sleep RCT, so comparable sleep effects from the magnesium component should not be assumed. Evidence for the finished three-ingredient combination has not been established in a clinical trial. I present this as an evidence-informed sleep supplement for active individuals — not as a proven sleep treatment or performance optimizer. I always review a patient’s full medication list and thyroid status before recommending any ashwagandha-containing product. Free PharmD consultation: (408) 622-8068.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Xymogen® Sleep & Performance contain melatonin?
A: No. This formula does not contain melatonin. It supports sleep through ashwagandha (cortisol and stress modulation), polyphenol botanicals (DailyZz™), and magnesium (GABA and melatonin-regulation pathways). Patients who specifically need circadian rhythm or jet-lag support may benefit from a melatonin-containing formula instead.

Q: Is this appropriate for athletes in competitive testing programs?
A: Consult your sport’s governing body and your pharmacist. While none of the ingredients are controlled substances, elite athletes subject to anti-doping programs should review any supplement with their sports medicine team before use.

Q: Can I take this with ashwagandha I’m already taking?
A: Discuss with your pharmacist before combining ashwagandha from multiple sources, as total withanolide intake would increase accordingly.

Q: How long before I might notice effects?
A: The Shoden® sleep trial ran 6 weeks. In clinical studies evaluating certain ashwagandha extracts, outcomes were generally assessed after several weeks of consistent use. The DailyZz™ blend trial ran 30 days and the magnesium trial ran 4 weeks.

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Reviewed by: Dai Tran, PharmD, MBA, B.S.  View full bio →

CEO & Lead Pharmacist, Khang Pharmacy • CA/MN/TX Licensed Pharmacist

Clinical Insights Series • APhA Immunization Certified • 10+ Years Clinical Experience

Khang Pharmacy | 2451 S King Rd., Ste A1, San Jose, CA 95122 | (408) 622-8068 | www.khangpharmacy.com