Effects of Spirulina Supplementation on Mental Health in Healthy Adults

NCT ID: NCT06936202

Last Updated: 2025-08-19

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 30 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-04-15
• Study Completion Date: 2026-05-31

Brief Summary

Spirulina platensis is a form of cyanobacteria, a blue-green algae, and is a superfood most known for being rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, and healthful phytochemicals. Spirulina supports brain health through neuroprotection offered by its antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and hormone regulation.

The aim of this study is to supplement healthy adults from a campus community with 3g of spirulina, daily, for 8 weeks to improve mood and mental acuity in comparison to receiving a placebo.

Detailed Description

Spirulina is nutrient-dense with vitamins and minerals which provide antioxidants and anti-inflammatory mechanisms to help reduce oxidative stress and ROS activity. Preclinical studies have indicated Spirulina can reduce inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, and reverse stress responses and oxidative damage in BDNF, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (NRF2), and ultimately the phosphorylation of protein-kinase B (AKT), which promotes cell growth. In addition to these benefits, fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and glycolipids, support gut health and the immune system. In combination, all these nutrients help increase neuroprotection and brain health.

It is evident that Spirulina supports brain health through neuroprotection, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and hormone regulation. Research supports Spirulina reversing neurodegenerative diseases due to several of these beneficial properties. There have been many studies that utilize Spirulina to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, ulcerative colitis, IBD, fibromyalgia and even in TBI and Ischemic stroke.

Although many of these diseases have depressive symptoms, few of these studies have evaluated the impact of Spirulina on mood. Furthermore, no studies have been conducted relating depression and the cyanobacteria. It is possible that Spirulina supplements can be used to reduce feelings of hopelessness and lack of energy, by providing additional vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids, on a daily basis. This study aims to compare spirulina and its improvement on mood, in health college students, by daily supplementation of 3g of Spirulina over a span of 8 weeks.

Conditions

Depression; Mental Acuity

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

spirulina capsules

six capsules daily (totaling 3 g)

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Spirulina capsules

Intervention Type: OTHER

active intervention

Placebo

Pea powder - 6 capsules daily

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type: OTHER

no active ingredient

Interventions

Spirulina capsules

active intervention

Intervention Type: OTHER

Placebo

no active ingredient

Intervention Type: OTHER

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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 16 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Arizona State University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Carol Johnston

Professor and Senior Associate Dean

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

850 PBC

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

United States

Central Contacts

Carol Johnston, PhD

Role: CONTACT

carol.johnston@asu.edu

16024962539

Facility Contacts

Carol Johnston

Role: primary

carol.johnston@asu.edu

602-496-2539

Other Identifiers

STUDY00021993

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id