Mushrooms, Mood and Mental Wellbeing in Gen Z Women

Launched by NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY · May 7, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "Mushrooms, Mood and Mental Wellbeing in Gen Z Women," is exploring how two types of mushrooms—Lion's Mane and a blend of Lion's Mane and Reishi—might help improve mental well-being in young women who feel stressed or anxious. Over 28 days, participants will take either the mushroom supplements or a placebo (a non-active treatment) and will be asked to complete several questionnaires to measure their anxiety, mood, and overall well-being at the beginning, during, and after the trial.

To participate, women aged 18 to 26 who identify as part of Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2013) and who self-report feeling stressed or anxious can apply. However, those with certain medical conditions, on specific medications, or with food allergies may not be eligible. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups and will take the supplements daily while keeping a diary to track their intake. This study seeks to provide insights into how these mushroom supplements might support mental health in young women.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Identify as a woman
• • Are aged 18 to 26 years at the time of giving consent (to be classified as Gen Z participants must have been born 1997-2013)
• • Rate themselves as stressed and/or anxious
• • Be a native speaker of English or fluent in English
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Have any pre-existing medical condition/illness which will impact taking part in the study. There may be other, unforeseen, exceptions and these will be considered on a case-by-case basis; i.e. participants may be allowed to progress to screening if they have a condition/illness which would not interact with the active treatments or impede performance NOTE: the explicit exceptions to this is controlled hayfever, asthma, hypo/hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, reflux, dyslexia/dyscalculia, ADHD, autism.
• • Are currently taking prescription medications (NOTE: the explicit exceptions to this are contraceptive treatments for female participants, and those taken 'as needed' in the treatment of asthma and hay fever. There may be other instances of medication use which, where no interaction with the active treatments is likely, and which would not be expected to have any impact on brain function, participants may be able to progress to screening). Within this trial medication for diagnosed neurological conditions (e.g. ADHD) will be allowed as long as medication has been taken for a minimum of 3 months and will be taken consistently throughout the trial period.
• • Have relevant food allergies/ intolerances/ sensitivities
• • Excessive caffeine intake (\> 500 mg per day)
• • Have taken dietary supplements e.g. Vitamins, omega 3 fish oils etc. in the last 4 weeks (Note: participation is possible following a 4 week supplement washout prior to participating and for the duration of the study on the proviso that the supplements they are taken are out of choice and not medically prescribed or advised. NOTE - Vitamin D and iron supplements are allowed for this trial if they have been advised by GP to increase levels to a normal range and have been taken for at least 4 weeks consistently and will be taken consistently throughout the trial.
• • Are pregnant, seeking to become pregnant or lactating
• • Have taken antibiotics within the past 4 weeks
• • Are currently participating in other clinical or nutrition intervention studies, or have done so in the past 4 weeks
• • Has been diagnosed with/ undergoing treatment for alcohol or drug abuse in the last 12 months
• • Have been diagnosed with/ undergoing treatment for a psychiatric disorder in the last 12 months (this includes medically diagnosed anxiety and depression)
• • Suffer from frequent migraines that require medication (more than or equal to 1 per month)
• • Sleep disorders or are taking sleep aid medication
• • Have any known active infections
• • Will be non-compliant with treatment consumption