Caralluma Fimbriata for Anxiety & Stress: Does It Work?

clinical-trial PMID: 30609411

Quick Summary: A recent study found that taking Caralluma fimbriata, a plant extract, helped reduce anxiety and stress levels in healthy adults. Participants who took the supplement for eight weeks showed improvements in their stress and anxiety scores.

Can Caralluma Fimbriata Help With Anxiety?

Yes, the research suggests it might! People taking Caralluma fimbriata experienced:

Lower Anxiety: Their anxiety scores dropped significantly compared to those taking a placebo (a sugar pill).

Reduced Stress: Stress levels also decreased noticeably in the Caralluma fimbriata group.

Lower Cortisol: Cortisol, the "stress hormone," decreased significantly, suggesting a positive impact on the body's stress response.

Study Details

Who was studied: 60 healthy adults, aged 25-60, who weren't taking any medications or had any health conditions.

How long: The study lasted for 8 weeks.

What they took: Participants took 500 mg of Caralluma fimbriata twice a day (1,000 mg total) in capsule form.

What This Means For You

If you're a healthy adult looking for natural ways to manage stress and anxiety, Caralluma fimbriata might be worth exploring. The study suggests it could help reduce both. However, it's important to remember:

Talk to your doctor: Before starting any new supplement, especially if you're already taking medication.

Look for quality: If you decide to try it, make sure the product is standardized to 20% pregnane glycosides.

Be patient: The study showed results after 4-8 weeks of use.

Study Limitations

It's important to be aware of the study's limitations:

Small Study: The study only included 60 people, so the results might not apply to everyone.

Short-Term: The study only looked at the effects over 8 weeks. We don't know the long-term effects.

No Comparison: The study didn't compare Caralluma fimbriata to other anxiety treatments.

More Research Needed: More research is needed to confirm these findings and understand how Caralluma fimbriata works.

Key Findings

The study concluded that Caralluma fimbriata extract (CFE) significantly reduced anxiety and stress levels in healthy adults compared to placebo. Participants receiving CFE showed improvements in both the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores, alongside a notable decrease in salivary cortisol. These effects were statistically significant, suggesting CFE may modulate stress response pathways.

Study Design

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted over 8 weeks. Sixty healthy adults aged 25–60 were enrolled, with 30 assigned to the CFE group and 30 to placebo. Inclusion criteria excluded individuals with medical conditions or those on medication. Anxiety and stress were assessed using validated psychometric tools (HADS, PSS) and salivary cortisol measurements at baseline and weeks 4/8.

Dosage & Administration

Participants received 500 mg of CFE twice daily (total 1,000 mg/day) in capsule form, standardized to 20% pregnane glycosides. Placebo capsules were identical in appearance. Supplements were taken with meals, and compliance was monitored via pill counts.

Results & Efficacy

Anxiety (HADS): CFE reduced anxiety scores by 3.2 points (baseline: 8.7 vs. post-intervention: 5.5) compared to 1.1 points in placebo (p=0.008, Cohen’s d=0.55).
Stress (PSS): CFE group showed a 4.1-point decrease (baseline: 28.3 vs. post-intervention: 24.2) versus 1.5 points in placebo (p=0.002, Cohen’s d=0.72).
Cortisol: Salivary cortisol decreased by 28% in CFE group (p=0.015) but only 7% in placebo.
All outcomes demonstrated statistical significance (p<0.05), with moderate to large effect sizes. Improvements were observed as early as week 4 and sustained at week 8.

Limitations

The study had a small sample size (n=60), limiting generalizability. Duration was short (8 weeks), so long-term efficacy/safety remains untested. Participants were self-selected, potentially introducing selection bias. No active control group (e.g., comparison to established anxiolytics) was included. Demographics (e.g., gender distribution) were not detailed in the provided summary. Funding source and potential conflicts of interest were not disclosed.

Clinical Relevance

For healthy adults seeking natural stress/anxiety support, CFE at 1,000 mg/day may offer measurable benefits within 4–8 weeks. The reduction in cortisol suggests a physiological mechanism, though the lack of adverse effects reported supports its safety profile in short-term use. However, results do not apply to clinical populations (e.g., those with anxiety disorders). Practitioners should consider these findings preliminary and recommend further research before endorsing CFE as a primary intervention. Users should verify product standardization (20% pregnane glycosides) and consult healthcare providers for personalized use.

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