Anxiety is one of the most pressing mental health challenges of our time. In Greece, more than 45% of the population experiences heightened anxiety, and we rank highest in Europe for anxiety and depressive symptoms, with a stress score of 71.8/100. From stressful university entrance exams to everyday responsibilities, anxiety has become part of daily life.
As students in Thessaloniki, we see this problem every day—among our peers, in our schools, and in our communities. But it is not just local. It’s a global issue, affecting millions across Europe and around the world.
As MAVericks, we believe science should directly address this crisis.
We propose a bioengineered indoor diffuser using genetically modified yeast to produce linalool and nerolidol, alcohols with natural anxiety-relieving properties found in lavender and other plants.
This system merges synthetic biology with culture and sustainability, providing an accessible, natural, and scalable way to reduce stress.
Our solution offers a natural alternative to anti-anxiety medications that can be addictive and costly. By enabling scalable production of stress-relieving compounds, we can:
Anxiety knows no borders—and neither should solutions. From Thessaloniki to the world, we aim to bring science-driven relief to millions of lives.
We are MAVericks, and this is our entry to the scientific world.