Why chamomile in Better Every Day works on a receptor, not just a mood
Calm is not just a mood, it is a receptor. Chamomile's active compound binds directly to the same receptor site targeted by prescription anxiety medication, just far more gently. It is one of eight active ingredients in Better Every Day.
A direct receptor mechanism
GABA is the brain's main inhibitory neurotransmitter. It slows neural firing and lowers overall excitability. Apigenin, a flavonoid found in chamomile flowers, binds to the benzodiazepine site on the GABA A receptor complex, producing a measurable calming effect in laboratory studies, without the sedation or dependency risk carried by benzodiazepine drugs themselves.
Measured in the kennel, not just the lab
The effect holds up outside a test tube. In a study of shelter dogs, researchers introduced chamomile and lavender scent into kennels and recorded a clear behavioural shift: more time resting, less barking, less pacing. All are recognised markers of a lowered stress response.
Where chamomile fits
Chamomile is one of eight actives in Better Every Day, alongside nutritional yeast, wheatgrass, nettle leaf, ginger root, thyme, cordyceps and ginseng, mixed into food once a day.
Sources
1. Viola H, Wasowski C, Levi de Stein M, et al. Apigenin, a component of Matricaria recutita flowers, is a central benzodiazepine receptors ligand with anxiolytic effects. Planta Med. 1995;61(3):213–216.
2. Graham L, Wells DL, Hepper PG. The influence of olfactory stimulation on the behaviour of dogs housed in a rescue shelter. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2005;91(1–2):143–153.
Research reflects studies on apigenin, chamomile's active compound, and behavioural response to calming scents. Better Every Day is a complementary feed supplement and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any condition. Speak to your vet if your dog has a health concern.