Chronic stress is not only a personal lifestyle issue; it has a direct impact on India’s healthcare system. Prolonged activation of the body’s stress response consistently contributes to the rise of NCDs (non-communicable diseases) such as hypertension, metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal conditions, and sleep disturbances.

This is a less understood, yet pervasive public health challenge in India’s rapidly urbanising society, which today is rife with fast-paced work environments, irregular sleep cycles, cognitive overload, and disrupted dietary patterns. 

And so, stress management too, cannot only be about lifestyle changes — it must include an intricate, science-based understanding of the biological systems that regulate stress. 

The founders of Iom Bioworks have upheld this understanding as the tenet of their innovation Stress Wise. These supplements address a systemic gap — that the dominant stress management ecosystem remains largely reactive and has a one-size fits all approach that aims for rapid symptom suppression through sedative or stimulant pathways. 

But do they address the underlying physiology of stress? Or could they, over time, weaken natural response systems or create dependency?

Stress Wise imbibes a technology-driven approach to personal health, operating at the intersection of biotechnology, personal health, and preventive care, reframing stress not as an isolated mental condition but as a gut–brain axis imbalance requiring systems-level intervention.

How does it work? 

The core innovation of Stress Wise lies in how it uses advances in microbiome science (which how the community of microbes living in our bodies affects our health) and computational biology (which uses computers and data science to understand and predict how biological systems work) to address stress at its biological source, rather than merely masking symptoms. 

Instead of calming the body temporarily, the solution is designed to help the body regulate stress more naturally by supporting the gut–brain connection, which plays a key role in mood, sleep, and energy levels.

Stress Wise is built on a three-part scientific approach: 

• The first focuses on how the formulation itself is created. Carefully selected bioactives, nutraceuticals, and specific prebiotic fibres are combined so that they can be easily absorbed and effectively used by the body. These ingredients are designed to work together within the gut, creating conditions that allow beneficial bacteria to thrive and function properly, rather than acting in isolation or being poorly absorbed. 

• The second part looks at how these formulations actually affect the body. Instead of making generic claims on stress relief, Stress Wise studies how the formulation influences particular gut bacteria and biological pathways that are known to affect stress response, inflammation, sleep quality, and emotional balance. This allows the solution to support stress regulation in a more targeted way, recognising that different people respond differently depending on the unique makeup of their gut microbiome. 

• The third part uses computer-based modelling alongside human studies to strengthen the science behind the product. These digital models help simulate how the gut and the body interact, allowing the team to predict outcomes, check safety, and refine formulations before and during real-world use. This reduces guesswork, shortens development time, and ensures that the solution is both effective and scientifically robust.

Together, this approach allows Stress Wise to convert complex microbiome research into practical, real-world solutions that help people build long-term resilience, rather than relying on short-term fixes.

The science behind the scenes  

Stress Wise has been developed by Karnataka-based biotechnology company Iom Bioworks, an Indo-Japanese startup that focuses on improving health by working with the microbiome — the community of trillions of bacteria living in our gut. The company was founded by Bipin Pradeep Kumar, Dr Samik Ghosh, and Dr Hiraoki Kitano, and brings together expertise in computational biology, research, and artificial intelligence to design its products.

According to Dr Divyashri G, who heads the BioProducts Research Division at the company, Stress Wise is different from conventional stress supplements because it does not simply aim to reduce symptoms like anxiety or fatigue. Instead, it follows what she describes as a “microbiome-first” approach — meaning it starts by understanding what is happening inside a person’s gut before deciding on a solution.

The development process begins with gut microbiome sequencing, which analyses the types and quantities of bacteria present in a person’s digestive system. 

Using this data, the company applies a patent-filed computational optimisation system to identify which microbial species need to increase or decrease in order to support outcomes such as improved stress regulation, better sleep, and higher energy levels. 

A second computer-based analysis then examines which foods and nutrients can help shift the microbiome in that direction.

Based on these insights, each Stress Wise formulation follows a multi-component strategy. It combines herbal bioactives such as ashwagandha, clinically studied nutraceuticals, and targeted prebiotic fibres that act as food for beneficial gut bacteria. Rather than relying on a single active ingredient, the formulation is designed so that these components work together within the gut.

Unlike many generic supplements that use a fixed formula for everyone, Stress Wise personalises its approach using microbiome data. The company also validates the product through a structured four-stage process: laboratory testing, cell-line studies to understand biological mechanisms, pre-clinical safety testing in animal models, and finally, human clinical trials.

Dr Divyashri notes that while individual ingredients like ashwagandha, certain nutraceuticals, and prebiotics are already known to support stress regulation, the real innovation lies in scientifically designing how these components interact. By targeting the gut–brain axis—the communication pathway between the digestive system and the brain—the formulation aims to support the body’s natural stress response in a more sustained and biologically balanced way, rather than offering only temporary symptom relief.

From research to the real world 

Designing a formulation that the body could absorb effectively, while also producing visible improvements in stress-related gut functions, required multiple rounds of testing and refinement. Progress was slowed by limited access to specialised microbiome testing facilities that were affordable for an early-stage company.

Regulatory processes added another layer of complexity. Stress Wise complies with both FSSAI and AYUSH regulations in India, each governed by different approval systems. Because these frameworks operate separately, it was not possible to bring all scientific insights into a single product, leading instead to the development of multiple compliant formulations and longer approval timelines.

Manufacturing at an early scale also proved challenging. Identifying partners who could handle the entire process—from formulation and quality control to packaging and timely distribution—within strict quality standards took time. In parallel, building market acceptance required sustained consumer education. Most users were familiar with quick-relief supplements, and understanding the value of a science-led, preventive approach to stress management required trust-building and awareness efforts.

Impact

Despite these constraints, Stress Wise has demonstrated tangible impact. The innovation has reached approximately 1,000+ users, including patients and preventive-health consumers across Tier-1 and select Tier-2 cities in India including Bengaluru, Agra, Rajkot, Jaipur, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata.  

Users have noted that Stress Wise helped manage severe gut issues and muscle loss, as well as a reduction in IBS, better sleep and reduced stress. 

Additionally, reduced reliance on antacids and over-the-counter sleep aids was observed, alongside improved cognitive focus, steadier mood, fewer mid-day energy crashes, and enhanced productivity. For working professionals and caregivers, improved sleep continuity translated into better emotional regulation, sustained attention, and renewed confidence in managing demanding routines.

The road ahead 

The innovation has received national and international recognition, including a Bronze Prize in the Future Technologies Track at the 2025 Belt & Road and BRICS Technology Innovation Competition (ASEAN) for its in-silico modelling of gut–skin interactions. IOM Bioworks has also been recognised among India’s most innovative bio-entrepreneurs at the National Bio Entrepreneurs Conference, awarded the MSME Ratna by the Indian MSME Chamber of Commerce, and selected for the Karnataka Startup Advancement Programme (K-SAP).

Looking ahead, scaling Stress Wise will require access to shared microbiome and clinical research infrastructure, partnerships with academic institutions and hospitals, and collaboration with integrated GMP-certified manufacturing facilities. Policy support enabling streamlined regulatory pathways that bridge AYUSH and FSSAI frameworks would significantly accelerate innovation. Strategic partnerships with employers, insurers, and wellness platforms could further embed microbiome-guided stress management into India’s preventive healthcare ecosystem.

Stress Wise offers a comprehensive understanding of the pressing healthcare challenge — treating a disease only after it appears. Conditions shaped by chronic stress demand a different model, one that prioritises early biological signs and preventive intervention. Iom Bioworks’ solution suggests that stress management could increasingly become part of this broader shift toward proactive, personalised healthcare.