Exploring the effect of a New Zealand hops extract on the levels of circulating neurotransmitters in blood.

The maintenance of functional brain wellness is, in part dependent, on the actions of neurotransmitters. The regulation of neurotransmitter action by dietary compounds provides an avenue to improve general brain wellness, and to improve cognitive function of individuals presenting with either non-clinical reduction in cognitive performance, or those undergoing increased mental stress/challenges.

Dietary compounds may regulate neurotransmitter concentrations via several mechanisms, including the direct stimulation on neurotransmitter release. This may result in positive effects on mood and cognitive performance. Supplementation with hops or foods containing compounds from hops has been shown to stimulate gut hormones, specifically cholecystokinin and glucagon-like peptide 1, that stimulates increased concentrations of neurotransmitters in the blood that are associated with improved mood and cognitive function.

In this study, we seek to investigate the effect of consuming difference doses of a New Zealand hops extract on the concentration of neurotransmitters in blood over time.

The clinical study is now fully recruited and in progress; we are no longer seeking volunteers.

This study was approved by the Health & Disabilities Ethics Committees.