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 6-week washout
- What was measured
- Heart rate variability, the Perceived Stress Scale, a mood questionnaire and salivary cortisol
What the authors reported
The trial found:
- 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
PubMed 41049366 · doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1586409
Entry checked against the full text at the publisher (Frontiers) on 2026-10-19. The dose shown is the dose the researchers used. It is not a recommendation. How to read this page.