The effects of formulated palmitoylethanolamide supplementation on indicators of stress and heart rate variability in female university students: a randomised cross-over trial
Randomised controlled trialHumans
- Design
- Randomised controlled trial
- Subjects
- 16 female university students. All completed.
- Dose used in the study
- 600 mg a day of Levagen+
- Duration
- 6 weeks on each of palmitoylethanolamide and placebo, with a 2-week washout
- What was measured
- Heart rate variability, the Perceived Stress Scale, a mood questionnaire and salivary cortisol
What the authors reported
One heart rate variability measure (SDNN) rose on palmitoylethanolamide compared with placebo (p = 0.024). A second measure (RMSSD) and self-reported stress did not reach significance. There was no change in mood scores or salivary cortisol. No adverse effects were reported.
Limits of this study
16 participants, which the authors calculate gave 57% power. All were female students, and menstrual cycle and contraceptive use were not recorded. Most outcomes showed no difference. The study received funding from Gencor Pacific.
Source
Entry checked against the full text at the publisher (Frontiers) on 2026-09-21. The dose shown is the dose the researchers used. It is not a recommendation. How to read this page.