AVRO Calm
Calm support without stimulation.*
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Backed by Science. Built on PharmaGABA.
Every AVRO formula starts with naturally fermented PharmaGABA®. Explore what GABA is, how it's made and why it’s the foundation of AVRO’s calm-first formulas.
Naturally Fermented PharmaGABA®
Made In Japan
FSSC 22000 Certified Facility
GABA: The Foundation of Calm
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a naturally occurring amino acid in our brain. It is one of the major inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system and has been found in several peripheral tissues. Amino acid neurotransmitters are critical for the function of the central nervous system (CNS); they have fast actions, producing responses within few milliseconds and playing an important role in brain functions.
GABA also occurs naturally in foods like tomatoes and spinach and can be produced during the fermentation of food products like kimchi and sauerkraut.
PharmaGABA® is a natural form of GABA manufactured by a fermentation process using a Lactobacillus bacteria, the same kind of bacteria used to ferment vegetables, cheese, wine and other foods. The bacteria are fed nutrients, including glutamic acid from sugar cane, to produce a high level of GABA that can then be concentrated through a filtration process.*
PharmaGABA® has been made and used in Japan since 2003, giving it more than two decades of market history.
*Source: PharmaGABA.com
Why AVRO Has 200mg of GABA
At 200 mg, the evidence for GABA broadens from cognitive function to sustained performance and zone-state concentration.
Source: Yamatsu et al., Jpn Pharmacol Ther vol 48, Issue 3, 461 - 474 (2020)
Intake of 200 mg/day of γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Improves a Wide
Range of Cognitive Functions , a double-blind, Placebo controlled parallel group clinical trial
The World’s Most Researched Natural GABA
The world's most researched natural GABA is PharmaGABA, a form produced through fermentation using Lactobacillus hilgardii (the bacteria used to make kimchi). It's the natural GABA with by far the most clinical research behind it, with human studies on relaxation, stress reduction, sleep quality and reducing markers of mental stress.
NEW STUDY: PharmaGABA® Helps the Brain Achieve the “Zone” for Optimal Performance
April 3, 2026
New clinical findings demonstrate how PharmaGABA® supports the brain’s ability to enter the “zone,” a state of optimal performance characterized by the balance of relaxation and focused attention.
In esports, where performance depends on rapid decision-making, multitasking, precision, and sustained attention under pressure, being “in the zone” allows players to perform more efficiently with sharper focus and reduced mental interference.
This study focused on sensorimotor rhythm (SMR), a brainwave frequency range (12–13.25 Hz) associated with calmness, sustained attention, and cognitive engagement, and used it as a physiological marker of the “zone” during gameplay. The results showed that PharmaGABA® significantly increased SMR activity compared to placebo, indicating a shift toward a more stable, focused, and immersive mental state. This effect is particularly relevant in esports tasks that require continuous attention distribution across multiple actions, such as aiming, background processing, and map awareness.
Furthermore, increased SMR activity was positively correlated with better performance, and participants who consumed PharmaGABA® achieved higher scores, demonstrating improved precision, multitasking, and situational awareness. Unlike stimulants that may lead to overstimulation, PharmaGABA® supports entry into the “zone” by promoting a calm yet highly focused mental state, enabling consistent performance under high cognitive load.
Ryousuke Furukado, Yoshihiro Harab, Utano Nakamurab, Keita Kogab, Yusuke Yamashitab, Youngil Kimb, Goichi HagiwaracaFaculty of Engineering, Integrated System Engineering, Nishinippon Institute of Technology, 1-11 Aratsu, Miyako-gun, Fukuoka, 800-0394, JapanbDivision of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, JapancFaculty of Human Science, Department of Sport Science and Health, Kyushu Sangyo University, 2-3-1 Matsukadai, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-city, Fukuoka, 813-8503, Japan
Formulation Comparison Chart
| AVRO — PharmaGABA powered by 200 mg, sourced from Kyoto, Japan 200 mg Natural GABA* | 150 mg+ CaffeineTraditional Energy Drink | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Brain Wave | Alpha (Relaxed, focused alertness) |
Beta (High arousal, potential jitteriness) |
| Autonomic Impact | Parasympathetic (Rest & Digest) |
Sympathetic (Fight-or-flight) |
| Stress Biomarkers | Lowers biomarkers associated with normal, everyday stress (CgA) |
Spikes cortisol and adrenaline |
| Onset Profile | Smooth, steady lift without the crash (~60 mins) |
Sudden, jittery spike & crash (~15 mins) |
- * This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
What Human Research On Oral GABA Shows
EEG Activity
Small human studies have reported changes in alpha and beta EEG activity following oral GABA, including research conducted during mental-task conditions. These findings support a relaxation-related scientific narrative; 'relaxed alertness' remains an interpretation rather than a clinically established outcome.
Heart-Rate Variability + Parasympathetic Activity
A small acute crossover study and a separate longer-term 200 mg study reported HRV or parasympathetic findings in different populations. Neither study tested finished AVRO.
Mental Stress + Autonomic Recovery
Human studies have evaluated oral GABA during arithmetic or controlled stress tasks using measures such as cortisol, salivary chromogranin A, fatigue, mood and HRV. One GABA-enriched chocolate study reported faster autonomic recovery and a lower stress-marker response.
Absorption Timing
In a human absorption study, plasma GABA reached its highest measured concentration approximately 30 minutes after a 100 mg oral dose. This supports the absorption statement only; it does not prove that someone feels calmer or performs differently within 30 minutes.
Sources:
Abdou AM, Higashiguchi S, Horie K, et al. Relaxation and immunity enhancement effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid administration in humans. BioFactors. 2006;26(3):201-208. Small human study reporting alpha and beta EEG changes after 100 mg oral GABA.
Kanehira T, et al. Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology. 2011;57(1):9-15. Yoto A, et al. Amino Acids. 2012;43:1331-1337. Human mental-task research using fatigue, stress-marker, EEG, mood and vitality measures.
Fujibayashi M, et al. Journal of Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science. 2008;61(3):129-133. Nakamura H, et al. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 2009;60(S5):106-113. Human research using HRV, parasympathetic activity, autonomic recovery and salivary chromogranin A.
Yamatsu A, Yamashita Y, Pandharipande T, et al. Effect of oral gamma-aminobutyric acid administration on sleep and its absorption in humans. Food Science and Biotechnology. 2016;25:547-551. Human absorption study: highest measured plasma concentration approximately 30 minutes after a 100 mg oral dose.
Guimarães AP, et al. GABA supplementation, increased heart-rate variability, emotional response, sleep efficiency and decreased depressive symptoms following physical exercise in women with overweight or obesity. Journal of Dietary Supplements. 2024;21(4):512-526. Longer-term 200 mg study reporting HRV and parasympathetic findings in a specific non-golfer population.
Three formulas. One foundation.
Every AVRO formula starts with the same calm-first base, then supports the moment in a different way.
AVRO Focus
Clarity and focus support without caffeine.*
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AVRO Energy
Natural caffeine with a calm-first foundation.*
Shop EnergyScience FAQ
What is the difference between synthetic GABA and PharmaGABA®?
PharmaGABA® is made through fermentation with lactic acid bacteria; synthetic GABA is made through chemical synthesis. As its manufacturer, Pharma Foods International describes using “lactobacillus fermentation” to make PharmaGABA®. AVRO chose this ingredient for its fermentation process, history of use in foods, and the research behind it. Learn more at PharmaGABA®.
What research supports PharmaGABA®?
PharmaGABA® has been studied in published human research examining relaxation, stress-related biomarkers, brain-wave activity and cognitive measures. Studies have reported increased alpha-wave activity and reduced beta-wave activity during relaxation testing, as well as changes in markers associated with normal everyday stress, including salivary chromogranin A and cortisol. Other human work has measured oral GABA absorption within approximately 30 minutes. These studies support the ingredient; they should not be read as a guarantee that every person will feel the same effect from a finished AVRO product.*
Where can I read the studies supporting AVRO’s ingredients?
Start with PharmaGABA®’s research overview at pharmagaba.com/6benefits.
Start with calm. Show up ready.
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