Unlock Your Inner Peace: My Story Behind the ZEN Formula

By Shawn Wells, biochemist, formulator, author of The ENERGY Formula, and creator of the world’s first state-based supplement line with Mindvalley.

The Calm Crisis: Why I Created ZEN (And Why You Need It Too)

Let me tell you something most people don’t know about me.

For all the biohacks I’ve pioneered… for the 1,000+ supplements I’ve formulated… for the ingredients I’ve patented…

There was a time I struggled to simply be.

My mind was constantly racing. I felt an underlying hum of stress, a hyper-vigilance that made true relaxation feel impossible. I pushed through constant overwhelm, and often reached for external fixes just to quiet the noise - and pretending I was “fine” because I was the guy with all the answers.

But my nervous system? It was frazzled.

I couldn’t truly unwind. I couldn’t find peace. I couldn’t just exist without a constant internal dialogue.

And yet, every day I reached for the same things most of us reach for when we’re desperate to feel calm again:

More distractions.
More numbing.
More pushing through social discomfort.

And that’s when I realized something that changed everything: Calm isn't about numbing or escape. It’s about true balance and support.

🧠 Why Zen Isn’t Just Mental - It’s Metabolic

You can’t find true peace when your nervous system is constantly on high alert. You can’t genuinely connect when an underlying hum of anxiety keeps you hyper-vigilant. You can’t truly unwind when your brain struggles to switch off.

But we try to anyway - don’t we? We rely on alcohol to "socialize." We escape into endless scrolling to "relax." We feel numbed, disconnected, and still can't find that deep sense of inner peace. What we call "unwinding" is often just biochemical chaos.

And the more I studied it - in the research, in my own biochemistry, in the labs, the clearer it became: We need a new way to achieve calm. One that gently guides the nervous system, balances neurotransmitters, and fosters a true state of equanimity - not just temporary escape.

And that’s why I created ZEN - not for the market, but for myself.

🧬 How ZEN Was Born

When Vishen and I sat down to dream up what Mindvalley States could be, I made a promise: If I’m putting my name on something - it’s going to be the best thing I’ve ever made. Not the cheapest. Not the trendiest. The real deal.

I didn’t want to make just another "relaxation aid" that leaves you feeling groggy or disconnected. I wanted to create the first state-based supplement for true calm - something that wouldn’t just "sedate," but that would gently and intelligently guide the nervous system into its natural, peaceful, high-vibration state.

So I asked myself: What would I give my nervous system every day to foster deep peace and relaxed flow?

And I formulated ZEN. A five-ingredient, synergy-based, nervous-system-harmonizing, equanimity-inducing capsule. Backed by studies. Felt from day one. Built for long-term emotional balance.

🧠 What’s Inside the ZEN Formula

Let me walk you through the five ingredients I chose — and why.

Rhodioprime 6X (Rhodiola crenulata (root) Extract (6% Salidrosides)) — 150 mg

The Stress Resilience Adaptogen

RhodioPrime 6X is a patented form of Rhodiola, this powerful adaptogen helps your body and mind adapt to stress, enhancing overall resilience. It is standardized to contain 6% salidroside.

- Enhances stress resistance and mental performance
- Improves memory and cognitive function
- Increases feelings of well-being and improves mood
- Reduces anxiety and worry
- Combats mental fatigue and stress
- Supports improved exercise performance and recovery
- Provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support

L-Theanine — 200 mg

The Alpha Brainwave Activator

L-theanine is a unique amino acid, found in tea leaves, easily crosses the blood-brain barrier to modulate neurotransmitter levels, promoting a state of relaxed alertness without sedation.

Reduces stress and anxiety
Boosts calming GABA levels
Improves mood by balancing neurotransmitters
Promotes relaxed alertness and focus
Enhances cognitive performance including attention and memory

Magnolia Extract (Std. to 98% Honokiol) (bark) — 10 mg

The Deep Calm Compound

This potent compound from Magnolia bark interacts with GABA receptors to naturally alleviate anxiety and promote relaxation. The extract found in Zen is standardized to contain 98% Honokiol.

- Alleviates stress and anxiety
- Improves sleep quality
- Supports cognitive health and offers neuroprotective effects
- Provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support

Apigenin — 200 mg

The Calming Bioflavonoid

Apigenin is a naturally occurring plant compound helps reduce anxiety and promote relaxation by interacting with brain receptors and inhibiting enzymes that break down mood-regulating neurotransmitters.

- Helps reduce anxiety and promote relaxation
- Supports brain function and neuroprotective qualities
- May combat depressive symptoms
- Improves sleep and daytime functioning

Lemon Balm (aerial parts) Extract (10:1) — 500 mg

The Soothing Herb

This fragrant herb Lemon balm, provided as a potent 500mg dose (10:1 extract), is standardized for its active compounds like rosmarinic acid, which interacts with brain neurotransmitters like GABA to promote a sense of calm and relaxation.

- Provides stress relief and relaxation
- Promotes mood balance
- Supports cognitive calmness during stressful situations
- May improve sleep quality by easing anxiety

💡 So What Happens When You Take It?

You don’t feel “numbed.” You don’t feel “sedated.” You feel… truly calm.

Present. Centered. Peaceful. Able to connect. Like your nervous system is gently guided, not suppressed. That’s the true state of Zen.

And ZEN helps you access it - reliably, gently, and sustainably. This isn’t a magic pill. It’s a physiological ally. It doesn’t bypass your feelings - it harmonizes them.

✅ When I Take ZEN

Here’s how I personally use it:

✅ Before my meditation or breathwork to enhance it
✅ To de-stress and relax after a busy day or during a stressful period.
✅ To go into creative flow during the second half of your day.
✅ To unwind in the evening before sleep.

You can take 1–2 capsules per day. It’s fast-acting, but the long-term benefits are what I’m most excited about: improved emotional resilience, deeper peace, and a more balanced nervous system over time.

🧪 Why This Formula Is Different

No proprietary blends. No filler. No “close enough” dosages.

Every ingredient in ZEN is:

Clinically dosed
Third-party tested
Branded and studied
Stacked intentionally for synergy

This isn’t a formula designed by a marketing team. It was designed by me — to find my own peace. And now it’s for yours too.

🌱 Why This Isn’t About Selling a Pill

This is about taking your sovereignty back. We live in a world where our peace is elusive, our presence fleeting, our calm replaced by constant distraction. We’re told to numb out, escape, or push through stress.

But there’s a different path. One where your nervous system feels like you again. One where you find inner peace without the need for escape. One where calm, connection, and creativity can coexist.

That’s what ZEN represents to me. I made it because I needed it. And now, if it resonates, it’s here for you too.

You’ll feel it from the first dose. And love it more with every use.

It’s not just a pill. It’s a daily practice. A way of anchoring into your most calm, creative, and vibrant self.

You can try ZEN here: 👉 mindvalleystates.com/zen

With heart, Shawn Wells