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Dietary supplement

Calm & Focus Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by NOW

Calm & Focus label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 23, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Calm & Focus against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Calm & Focus is a dietary supplement by NOW with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for anxiety and stress, sleep problems, relaxation.Based on those ingredients, 419 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are GABA, Zembrin. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Calm & Focus by NOW

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 11, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Calm & Focus contains two active ingredients. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a neurotransmitter your brain naturally produces—it's involved in relaxation and sleep.

Zembrin is a plant extract from sceletium, a succulent used traditionally for mood and stress support. The capsule also contains several inactive ingredients: hypromellose, maltodextrin, stearic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, and silicon dioxide.

These are fillers and binders that help the capsule hold together and deliver the active ingredients.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: promote calm and mental well-being.
  • We looked for evidence on: Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Psychological well-being, emotional balance, mental clarity.
  • The closest evidence on file: Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba) is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Anxiety (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba) is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Depression, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Psychological well-being.
  • Also on file: Sceletium is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Anxiety, Depression, Stress.

For anxiety, athletic performance, and ADHD, the evidence backing GABA and Zembrin isn't established in the data we hold—we rate both as having insufficient reliable evidence. The same goes for Zembrin's use in depression, stress, obesity, and alcohol use disorder, and GABA's use in chronic bronchitis and cerebral palsy.

In short, if you're thinking about this supplement for any of these reasons, the science behind it is still thin.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba) Sceletium

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Both ingredients are generally well tolerated in the short term, but long-term safety hasn't been well studied for either one. The most common side effects from GABA are drowsiness, upset stomach, minor throat burning, muscle weakness, and nausea.

Zembrin may cause anxiety, headache, insomnia, irritability, nausea, or rarely high blood pressure. There isn't enough safety data to know either way whether GABA is okay in pregnancy or while breastfeeding—talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.

The same goes for Zembrin: the data advises against it in pregnancy and while nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba) Sceletium

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 2 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba), Sceletium.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 419 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Double-check before taking this if you're on blood-pressure medication—GABA may lower your blood pressure further. Also check if you take any CNS depressants: prescription sleep aids, benzodiazepines, opioids, or anything that makes you drowsy, since both ingredients can add to those effects.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product may appeal to people looking for a calming supplement, but the evidence that it works is limited. If you're on blood-pressure medication, anything for sleep, pain, or anxiety, or if you drink alcohol regularly, check with us first.

Pregnant people and those breastfeeding should talk to their doctor before starting it.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jul 25, 2024.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Calm & Focus, straight from the product label.

Brand NOW
Barcode (UPC) 733739023964
Net contents 60 Veg Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 25, 2024
DSLD ID 314529
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating), Gluten Free, Dairy Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Calm & Focus by NOW, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
733739023964
IngredientAmount% DV
GABA300 mg--
Zembrin25 mg--

Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Maltodextrin, Stearic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Silicon Dioxide

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested usage: Take 1 capsule daily.

Formula

Zembrin is an extract of Sceletium tortuosum, an herb traditionally used in South Africa for centuries to support emotional and mental well-being. Modern clinical studies have demonstrated that Zembrin can promote a feeling of calm while enhancing mental alertness. In effect, it can help maintain stability while enhancing certain cognitive functions, such as memory and mental flexibility. Zembrin may also help you get to sleep faster by promoting mental relaxation, but not drowsiness.

Calm & Focus with Zembrin & GABA

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Precautions

Caution: For adults only.

Not recommended for pregnant/nursing women. Consult physician if taking medication (especially antidepressant or anti-anxiety drugs) or have a medical condition.

Keep out of reach of children.

Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.

Formulation

Natural color variation may occur in this product.

Cognitive support Clinically validated

Non-GMO

Vegetarian/Vegan

Made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.

Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place after opening.

General Statements

This bottle is made from 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) resin.

General Health Family owned since 1968.

FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Zembrin is a registered trademark of HG&H Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Limited.

Seals/Symbols

GMP Quality Assured

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Calm & Focus by NOW label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Calm & Focus label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Calm & Focus by NOW

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

GABA

Interacts with
419 drugs
300 mg per serving

GABA is a calming chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) that your body makes on its own, and it is sold as a supplement for stress, anxiety, and sleep...

GABA monograph & interactions

Zembrin

Interacts with
248 drugs
25 mg per serving Form: Sceletium tortuosum Aerial Parts Extract

Sceletium (often sold as 'kanna') is a South African plant traditionally used to ease stress and lift mood. Early human studies are small and short, s...

Zembrin monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose, Maltodextrin, Stearic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Calm & Focus by NOW Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Calm & Focus?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
419Drugs
419 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

GABA 419
Zembrin 248

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Calm & Focus interact with 419 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

2 of the 2 ingredients in Calm & Focus interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. GABA Zembrin

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Calm & Focus with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

GABA2 drug types · 419 drugs

Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, taking GABA with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Some clinical research shows that GABA can decrease blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cns Depressants

Theoretically, GABA might have additive sedative effects when used in conjunction with CNS depressants. However, it is unclear if this concern is clinically relevant.
Endogenous GABA has well-established relaxant effects and GABA(A) receptors have an established physiological role in sleep. However, the effects of GABA supplements are unclear, as it is unknown whether exogenous GABA crosses the blood-brain barrier. Although there have been limited reports of drowsiness or tiredness with GABA supplements, these effects have not been widely reported in clinical studies. Additionally, intravenous GABA 0.1-1 mg/kg has been shown to induce anxiety in a dose-dependent manner.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
GABA full monograph & interactions

Zembrin1 drug type · 248 drugs

Cns Depressants

Theoretically, concomitant use of sceletium and CNS depressants might result in additive sedative effects.
Some evidence suggests that sceletium has sedative properties.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Zembrin full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Calm & Focus, from the product label.

NOW

See all NOW products
Name
NOW FOODS
Street Address
395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd.
City
Bloomingdale
State
IL
ZipCode
60108
Web Address
nowfoods.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Calm & Focus by NOW: Common Questions

Does Calm & Focus by NOW interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Calm & Focus has a known interaction with 419 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Calm & Focus contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this while pregnant?
There isn't enough safety data for either ingredient to know either way. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist—they can help you decide what's right for you.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
The safety data for both GABA and Zembrin advise against it while nursing. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.
Does GABA actually work for anxiety and focus?
The evidence isn't established in the data we hold—we rate both anxiety and focus (ADHD) uses as having insufficient reliable evidence. The science is still catching up.
What are the most common side effects?
From GABA, you might experience drowsiness, upset stomach, throat burning, muscle weakness, or nausea. Zembrin may cause anxiety, headache, insomnia, irritability, or nausea.
Is it safe to take long-term?
Long-term safety hasn't been well studied for either ingredient. Both are generally well tolerated short-term, but talk to your pharmacist if you're thinking about using it regularly.
Can I take this with alcohol?
No—alcohol is a CNS depressant, and both ingredients in this product can add to sedative effects. Skip the alcohol while you're taking this supplement.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Calm & Focus label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Calm & Focus’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba)

Interacts with 419 drugs

GABA is a calming chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) that your body makes on its own, and it is sold as a supplement for stress, anxiety, and sleep. The science behind oral GABA supplemen...

Read the full Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba) monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Sceletium

Interacts with 248 drugs

Sceletium (often sold as 'kanna') is a South African plant traditionally used to ease stress and lift mood. Early human studies are small and short, so its benefits are not well proven. Talk...

Read the full Sceletium monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Calm & Focus's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 15 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba) 12 references
  1. Cavagnini F, Invitti C, Pinto M, et al. Effect of acute and repeated administration of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) on growth hormone and prolactin secretion in man. Acta Endocrinol (Copenh) 1980;93:149-54.
  2. Nurnberger JI Jr, Berrettini WH, Simmons-Alling S, et al. Intravenous GABA administration is anxiogenic in man. Psychiatry Res 1986;19:113-7. PubMed
  3. Gershman RN, Vasilenko MA, Iliushina GG, et al. [Gammalon in the rehabilitation in infantile cerebral palsy]. Pediatr.Akus.Ginekol. 1977;(6):26-7.
  4. Loeb C, Benassi E, Bo, GP, et al. Preliminary evaluation of the effect of GABA and phosphatidylserine in epileptic patients. Epilepsy Res. 1987;1:209-12 . PubMed
  5. Inoue K, Shirai T, Ochiai H, et al. Blood-pressure-lowering effect of a novel fermented milk containing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in mild hypertensives. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003;57:490-95.
  6. ELLIOTT, K. A. and JASPER, H. H. Gammaaminobutyric acid. Physiol Rev. 1959;39(2):383-406.
  7. Winsky-Sommerer, R. Role of GABAA receptors in the physiology and pharmacology of sleep. Eur.J.Neurosci. 2009;29(9):1779-1794.
  8. Meldrum, B. S. GABAergic mechanisms in the pathogenesis and treatment of epilepsy. Br.J.Clin.Pharmacol. 1989;27 Suppl 1:3S-11S. PubMed
  9. Loeb, C., Marinari, U. M., Benassi, E., Besio, G., Cottalasso, D., Cupello, A., Maffini, M., Mainardi, P., Pronzato, M. A., and Scotto, P. A. Phosphatidylserine increases in vivo the synaptosomal uptake of exogenous GABA in rats. Exp.Neurol. 1988;99(2):4 PubMed
  10. Melis, G. B., Paoletti, A. M., Mais, V., and Fioretti, P. Interference of dopamine infusion on gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)-stimulated prolactin increase. J.Endocrinol.Invest 1980;3(4):445-448.
  11. Boonstra E, de Kleijn R, Colzato LS, Alkemade A, Forstmann BU, Nieuwenhuis S. Neurotransmitters as food supplements: the effects of GABA on brain and behavior. Front Psychol. 2015 Oct 6;6:1520. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01520. eCollection 2015. PubMed
  12. de Bie TH, Witkamp RF, Balvers MG, Jongsma MA. Effects of ?-aminobutyric acid supplementation on glucose control in adults with prediabetes: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2023;118(3):708-719. PubMed

See these in context on the Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (gaba) monograph →

Sceletium 3 references
  1. Smith MT, Crouch NR, Gericke N, Hirst M. Psychoactive constituents of the genus Sceletium N.E.Br. and other Mesembryanthemaceae: a review. J Ethnopharmacol 1996;50:119-30. PubMed
  2. Meyer GMJ, Wink CSD, Zapp J, Maurer HH. GC-MS, LC-MS(n), LC-high resolution-MS(n), and NMR studies on the metabolism and toxicological detection of mesembrine and mesembrenone, the main alkaloids of the legal high "Kanna" isolated from Sceletium tortuosum
  3. Gericke J, Lekhooa M, Steyn SF, Viljoen AM, Harvey BH. An acute dose-ranging evaluation of the antidepressant properties of Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin®) versus escitalopram in the Flinders Sensitive Line rat. J Ethnopharmacol. 2022 Feb 10;284:114550. do PubMed

See these in context on the Sceletium monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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