The Science of Stress: Does Amare’s “Happy Juice” REALLY Lower Cortisol? No.
Let’s make one thing crystal clear from the start: this post isn’t here to bash Amare consultants or diminish anyone’s positive experience with “Happy Juice.” If this product has genuinely helped you, fantastic. But as a former scientist, I have a hard time staying quiet when I see companies tossing around “scientifically proven” claims that don’t hold up to scrutiny.
So, what’s the problem here? It’s the way Amare promotes “Happy Juice” as some kind of cortisol-lowering miracle. You’ve seen the claims plastered all over social media. It’s time we take a closer look at the science—or the lack thereof—behind this bold marketing.
Cortisol and the Facts
Here’s the deal: Cortisol isn’t some magical hormone you can just “lower” with a quick fix. It’s a complex hormone that plays a crucial role in how your body handles stress, and it can only be measured accurately through blood tests and hormone panels done by healthcare professionals. So, unless you’ve got the hard data from those tests, claiming that “Happy Juice” has reduced your cortisol levels is misleading at best.
The issue here isn’t necessarily the consultants who share these stories—they’re likely repeating what Amare has told them. The real problem is Amare’s claims. After digging into their so-called “science,” it’s clear those claims don’t hold up. Let’s break it down.
Who Is Amare?
Amare brands itself as a “Mental Wellness Company” and makes a big point of separating “Mental Wellness” from “Mental Health.” Their mission is to create a holistic platform of products, programs, and people with a goal to lead the mental wellness movement. The company’s most famous product, “Happy Juice,” is a blend of three products—MentaBiotics, Energy+, and EDGE—that’s gone viral for its supposed cortisol-lowering powers.
Enter Shawn Talbott, Amare’s Chief Science Officer. Talbott has a Ph.D. in nutrition and an education background, but he also has a questionable history. Back when he was a professor at the University of Utah, he was charged with fraud by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for false advertising—specifically, making exaggerated scientific claims about another product. Sound familiar? This FTC press release names Shawn Talbot as one of 3 defendants who had to pay out $4.5 million.
When I mentioned this to an Amare consultant, she told me Talbott is “open” about his FTC history with distributors. But another consultant told me the charges were “dismissed,” which isn’t true. This kind of misinformation within the ranks doesn’t do much for credibility and makes the claims around “Happy Juice” seem even shakier.
The Science (Or Lack of It) Behind “Happy Juice”
I’ve seen countless posts claiming “Happy Juice” can lower cortisol. But can it really? Let’s look at the ingredients and the science—or lack thereof—behind these claims.
“Happy Juice” includes three products: MentaBiotics, Energy+, and EDGE. The central claim is that these products reduce cortisol and increase GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation. But do these products actually do what they claim? Let’s find out…
This is a screenshot of the “clinical information” provided by Amare on Oligonol, one of the proprietary ingredients in Happy Juice.
1. Amare EDGE
This is a screenshot of the Amare EDGE nutrition label as screenshoted from the technical sheet.
Amare EDGE includes Oligonol, a proprietary extract from lychee fruit that supposedly lowers cortisol. But here’s the kicker: the studies on this ingredient were conducted only on men and used doses significantly higher than what’s in EDGE. The product’s label shows that its entire proprietary blend is just 200mg—way below the effective dosage used in studies. Bottom line? There isn’t enough Oligonol in EDGE to back up Amare’s cortisol claims.
Here is the technical sheet for Amare EDGE.
2. MentaBiotics
MentaBiotics is marketed as a cortisol-lowering probiotic blend. But here’s the issue: the studies Amare provides show no significant cortisol reduction, and the strains in MentaBiotics are too low to deliver the benefits they’re promising. So, once again, the claims don’t hold up under scientific scrutiny.
Here is the technical sheet for Mentabiotics.
In a Nutshell, there’s a Dosage Problem…
Across the board, the doses of active ingredients in Amare’s products are too low to support the claims being made. Whether it’s EDGE, MentaBiotics, or even their Mood+ product (which isn’t part of “Happy Juice” but is similarly marketed), the science just doesn’t back up the claims at the dosages provided.
What is Amare’s Response…?
When I reached out to Amare about these discrepancies, they claimed their products are intended to “support overall wellness” and that results can vary. They emphasized that no supplement alone can address all needs without a healthy lifestyle. Fair enough, but here’s the problem: their marketing makes specific cortisol-lowering claims that aren’t supported by their own cited studies.
“The amounts we use in our proprietary blends are sufficient to help support mental well-being and healthy lifestyle along with healthy lifestyle. No supplement can address all our needs without added lifestyle habits like a healthy diet, exercise program, and good sleep hygiene, which all contribute to overall health and mental well-being.
We understand that our products are not going to benefit everyone the same as everyone has their needs and will metabolize the products as their body can but we do have plenty of customers that have used our products specifically our Happy Juice Pack and have seen positive results.
The statements and/or products discussed are not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Please consult your doctor before
making adjustments to your regimen.”
Translation: even Amare’s own fine print doesn’t support the bold claims in their marketing. So why allow consultants to say otherwise?
So, what can we say in conclusion…?
The claims made by Amare Global about “Happy Juice” reducing cortisol are misleading. Honestly, they’re not just misleading—they’re false. It’s the equivalent of giving your child cough syrup but only giving them a sip OR taking aspirin but cutting it down by half—or a fourth! They’re making claims about these products based on dosages that they’re NOT giving.
While it’s perfectly fine to love a product for how it makes you feel, it’s not okay to promote it using false scientific claims.
For the consultants out there, this isn’t an attack on you. If you love “Happy Juice” and feel it has improved your life, that’s great. But let’s be accurate and responsible in how we discuss its effects. Saying it lowers cortisol without proper scientific backing is not only misleading, but it’s also a disservice to those who trust you. Additionally, there are, frankly, shady tactics being used to promote it (I recommend checking out the Instagram Highlight of Coach John Noel) where he calls out some of the shadiest marketing. I know a lot of Amare consultants are NOT these people. They might throw cortisol around too haphazardly, but they're not using malicious marketing tactics.
Amare has all the disclaimers they should have on their documentation. Amare is great about saying that these products “are not intended to diagnose, prescribe, treat, cure, or prevent disease.” And yet, their very marketing videos AND the marketing they’re letting their consultants use don’t align.
How is it okay for this company or its representatives to say “it lowers cortisol” in their marketing, yet when you question the data they come back with this?
It’s irresponsible.
It’s flippant.
It’s misrepresentation of the science.
It should be illegal.
And it probably is.
They’re stretching the science to prove their points, and their consumers and business representatives are paying the price for the company’s bloated claims. That’s not right.
Don’t make liars out of the people who trusted you. That is and always will be my issue.
So, if you’re an Amare consultant (or know one)—what should you do?
If the language around these claims changes to remove the cortisol-lowering narrative, I’d have no issue with “Happy Juice.”
I have no problem with you loving a product that has worked wonders for you. None at all. I don’t even have a problem with you saying, “I feel less stressed.” You’re allowed to say that because that is your own, self-reported experience.
But it’s false, inaccurate, and a misrepresentation of the science to continue to say that Happy Juice or any of the Amare products I’ve discussed will “reduce cortisol.” If you have tests from your doctor to prove a reduction in your cortisol, cool! By all means. But, even then, I’d be willing to bet that Happy Juice isn’t the only lifestyle change you made.
So, let’s keep the conversation rooted in truth and science, shall we?!
