DepressionNCT06936202
Effects of Spirulina Supplementation on Mental Health in Healthy Adults
A study testing Spirulina capsules in people with Depression and Mental Acuity, run by Arizona State University at 1 site in United States.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Depression, Mental Acuity
- What is being tested?
- Spirulina capsules
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 15 Apr 2025to May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 16 to 65 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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.
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
850 PBC
Phoenix, Arizona, 85004
Carol Johnston, 602-496-2539, carol.johnston@asu.edu
About this study
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.
Read the 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
- Being tested
- Spirulina capsules, Placebo
- Keywords
- spirulina, depression, mental acuity
- Medical subject headings
- Depression
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Spirulina capsulesOther
active intervention
PlaceboOther
no active ingredient
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| spirulina capsules | Experimental | six capsules daily (totaling 3 g) Receives: Other: Spirulina capsules |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Pea powder - 6 capsules daily Receives: Other: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
POMS (profile of mood states questionnaire)
A validated measure consisting of 65 brief phrases, asking how they have personally felt over the last week, including today. The participants were asked to carefully rate their response on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 'not at all' to 'extremely'.
Measured: conducted at baseline and at week 8 (study's end)
Trail Making Test
The TMT consists of two iterations - versions A and B - and brief samples of each will be provided for the participant to practice prior to the longer, scored version. This is a timed paper and pencil test requiring the participant to connect a series of numbers and/or letters that are randomly arranged.
Measured: conducted at baseline and at week 8 (study's end)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Apr 2025
- Study start15 Apr 2025
- Primary completionMay 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionMay 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for DepressionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This is a parallel arm, 8-week, randomized controlled study with an experimental arm and a control arm.
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Arizona State University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Carol Johnston, Arizona State University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06936202
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STUDY00021993
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 12 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 19 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: We do not plan to publish in ICMJE journals