Effects of Spirulina Supplementation on Mental Health in Healthy Adults

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Depression; Mental Acuity
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Spirulina capsules; Other: 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.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Carol Johnston, PhD; Phone Number: 16024962539; Email: carol.johnston@asu.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • Arizona
    • Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85004
      • Recruiting
      • 850 PBC
      • Contact: Carol Johnston; Phone Number: 602-496-2539; Email: carol.johnston@asu.edu

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: spirulina capsules; six capsules daily (totaling 3 g)	Other: Spirulina capsules; active intervention
Placebo Comparator: Placebo; Pea powder - 6 capsules daily	Other: Placebo; no active ingredient

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
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'.	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.	conducted at baseline and at week 8 (study's end)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Arizona State University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 15, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 12, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 12, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): April 20, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 19, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 14, 2025
• Last Verified: August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: depression; spirulina; mental acuity
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Depression
• Other Study ID Numbers: STUDY00021993

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: We do not plan to publish in ICMJE journals

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No