The Effect of ONNIT Supplementation on Daily Stress, Physiological NewMood TM

Measures & Sleep Patterns in Healthy Collegiate Men & Women

Pulsipher, S., Newby, N., Richardson, C., Brown, A.F.
Abstract
Life of a college student is filled with classes, work shifts, club participation, and
internships. The average student undergoes an immense amount of psychological and
physiological stress. PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of ONNIT Lab’s New
Mood™ dietary supplement in supporting optimal mood balance and daily stress
reduction among collegiate-aged men and women. METHODS: Participants (n=56,
age: 18-22 years) were recruited during the fall and spring semesters of the
2018/2019 academic year. Participants were randomly assigned to either a placebo
(PLA) or NewMood™ supplement (NM) following a 2-week placebo lead in period.
During an 8-week intervention, resting heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol were
collected during weeks 2, 5, and 8. Psychological measurements included assessment
of depression, anxiety and stress. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS v. 24
and data were reported as mean±SD. RESULTS: Salivary cortisol was not different
between NM and PLA at baseline. NM maintained a steady level of rise in cortisol in
the morning at week 2 (0.159±0.228 l/dL), week 5 (0.114±0.196 l/dL) and week 8
(0.0702±0.151 l/dL). In contrast, PLA produced lower levels at week 2 (0.138±0.277
l/dL), week 5 (0.110±0.174 l/dL) and week 8 (0.0726±0.0966 l/dL). Psychological
data was not different between groups at any time point. CONCLUSION: While
stressful events increase cortisol, PLA had a blunted response as the semester
progressed and NW maintained a steady rise increase. Therefore, ONNIT’s
NewMood™ may aid in maintaining a healthy physiological response during stressful
life events.
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
Methods cont. Discussion
DATA COLLECTION: This study was a double blinded randomized placebo controlled clinical trial. Psychological data was not different at any point in time during
Participants wore an Oura ring for the entire 8-week period to assess sleep stages and heart rate the study. The results of this study did not demonstrate a
variability while sleeping. Interventions began about 1 month into the semester to control for stress relationship between DASS/PANAS and supplement usage
in the semester. A baseline survey was conducted at Week 0 and consisted of diet, sleep, exercise, (p>0.05). However, the study did establish a relationship
mental health history, early trauma, and coping measures. The placebo lead-in occurred during between cortisol levels and supplement usage. Salivary cortisol
Weeks 1 and 2. Participants were randomly placed in either a placebo (PLA) group or NewMoodTM was not different between NM and PLA at baseline. NM
(NM) supplement group at Week 3 and were supplemented for 6 weeks (Weeks 3-8). Weekly maintained a steady level of rise in cortisol in the morning at
assessments analyzed Depression, Anxiety & Stress Scale (DASS) & Positive & Negative Affect week 2 (0.159±0.228 l/dL), week 5 (0.114±0.196 l/dL) and
Schedule (PANAS) from Weeks 0-8. Daily Assessments were conducted through daily diaries during week 8 (0.0702±0.151 l/dL). In comparison, PLA produced
Weeks 2, 5 and 8. During this time, participants were required to record for 4 days/week and 1 lower levels at week 2 (0.138±0.277 l/dL), week 5
weekend day. (0.110±0.174 l/dL) and week 8 (0.0726±0.0966 l/dL). On
average, NM had a decrease in their 0-30 CAR from Week 2 to
Week 8 of 0.0883 +/- 0.07715 l/dL. In contrast, the PLA had a
decrease in their 0-30 CAR from Week 2 to Week 8 of 0.0652 +/-
0.1802 l/dL.

Introduction Future Direction

Background: STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: SPSS v. 24 analysis was used to analyze data. Significance was set at p<0.05. Future experiments should study the effects of taking the
Designed and sold by ONNIT Labs as NewMoodTM, this dietary Results were reported as mean +/- SD. supplementation throughout the day. Additionally, the effects of
supplement is a combination of natural ingredients found in a higher dose should also be under consideration.
food (niacin “vitamin B3”, vitamin B6, magnesium, L-
tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, inositol, and various Results Acknowledgements
root/flower extracts). Research has shown that some of these
ingredients improve mood and/or stress, but no research to 1. Psychological Data
Stress Depression
This project was funded by the ONNIT NewMoodTM Clinical
date has assessed the effectiveness of this combination of
Research Trial Grant. Special thanks to the participants of the
ingredients. Amino acids, such as tryptophan, are used by the Stress Depression
13.5 11.5 study .
brain for synthesis of various neurotransmitters and 13
11

neuromodulators.1 Monoamine neurotransmitters, such as 12.5

10.5

dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are the most 12

10

important neurotransmitters in pathophysiology of mood 11.5

9.5

disorders and in mechanisms of action of antidepressants.2 11

Literature Cited
9
10.5
Similarly, although supplementation with vitamin B6 and other 10 8.5

B vitamins has not been associated with improved cognitive baseline w2 w3 w4

Group 1
w5

Group 2
w6 w7 w8 baseline w2 w3 w4

Group 1
w5

Group 2
w6 w7 w8

performance in the elderly, recent studies suggest that vitamin
B6 might help reduce the risk of late-life depression.3
Hypothesis:
ONNIT’s NewMoodTM supplement will decrease both cortisol
levels and stress levels throughout the 8-week period.
Figure 1. Graphical representation of stress levels from Figure 2. Graphical representation of depression levels 1. "14 Amino Acid and Protein Requirements: Cognitive
baseline to Week 8. from baseline to Week 8. Performance, Stress, and Brain Function." Institute of
2. Physiological Data Medicine. 1999. The Role of Protein and Amino Acids in
0-30 CAR from Week 2 to Week 8 Sustaining and Enhancing Performance. Washington, DC: The
0.18

0.16
National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/9620.
0.14 2. Mario F. Juruena. “Clinical, research and treatment
Methods
0.12

0.1
approaches to affective disorders.” InTech. (2012).
ul/gL

0.08
3. Jane Higdon, et al. “Vitamin B6.” Oregon State University:
0.06

PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=56, age 18-22) were recruited 0.04 Linus Pauling Institute. Micronutrient Information Center.
from the University of Idaho if they were full–time students. 0.02

0
(2014).
Individuals were determined eligible if they did not present a
2 5 8
Week Number

mental health disorder, sleep deprivation, interfering Placebo Supplement

medication/supplement usage, and diagnosed disease. Table 1. Descriptive statistics showing the change in Figure 3. Visual representation of 0-30 CAR.
Participants were also screened for exercise frequency and cortisol levels from awakening to 30 minutes after
awakening for Week 2, Week 5 and Week 8.
determined eligible upon meeting a normal level of exercise.