Spirulina for mood and mental sharpness in healthy adults

Effects of Spirulina Supplementation on Mental Health in Healthy Adults

This trial will try 3 grams of spirulina daily for 8 weeks in healthy adults to see if it improves mood and mental sharpness compared with a placebo.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Ages: 16 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Arizona State University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Phoenix, Arizona)
• Trial ID: NCT06936202 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Healthy adult volunteers from an Arizona State University campus will receive either 3 g daily of Spirulina platensis or a matched placebo for 8 weeks. Mood and mental acuity will be measured before and after the intervention using standardized questionnaires and cognitive tests. The study enrolls participants aged 18–65 without chronic disease, autoimmune conditions, pregnancy, or use of medications/supplements that affect mood or cognition. The intervention is based on proposed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective mechanisms of spirulina.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 18–65 from the ASU campus who do not have chronic or autoimmune disease, are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and are not taking medications or supplements that affect mood or cognition.

Not a fit: People with a clinical diagnosis of depression, those taking antidepressants or other psychotropic drugs, individuals with chronic medical conditions, pregnant or breastfeeding persons, and competitive athletes are unlikely to benefit or be eligible for this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the supplement could modestly improve mood and cognitive sharpness in healthy adults through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

How similar studies have performed: Preclinical and some clinical studies have reported neuroprotective or cognitive benefits of spirulina in neurodegenerative or inflammatory conditions, but its effects specifically on mood in healthy adults are largely untested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* healthy adults
* ages 18-65
* no underlying chronic disease or acute conditions
* no autoimmune conditions
* do not consume alcohol in excess, smoke, use recreational drugs
* does not follow restrictive diets
* will be recruited from the ASU university campus.

Exclusion Criteria:

* not have been clinically diagnosed with depression
* not taking antidepressants, anxiety, or stress medications, or any other medications
* drugs, or supplements that could influence mental capacities
* not pregnant or breastfeeding
* not a competitive athlete

Where this trial is running

Phoenix, Arizona

• 850 PBC — Phoenix, Arizona, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Carol Johnston, PhD

Conditions: Depression, Mental Acuity, spirulina, depression, mental acuity