Holden, Joanna (2023) Effects of Caralluma fimbriata Extract on Perceived Stress, Restorative Sleep and GABA. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Sleep related problems are highly prevalent in society, and a strong relationship between perceived stress and sleep quality exists. Caralluma fimbriata extract (CFE; an edible cactus), is a safe and natural option for those seeking relief from sub-clinical sleep problems and symptoms of stress. It contains compounds with the potential to increase the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), reduce stress and improve sleep quality. Thus far, only one study has demonstrated CFE’s effectiveness (at 1 gram per day) in reducing perceived stress, and there is currently no research exploring the effects of CFE on GABA or sleep. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of CFE on perceived stress, GABA and sleep, at a lower dose of 500 mg per day. It was hypothesised that the treatment group would have higher GABA levels (measured by plasma concentration, pg/mL); lower stress levels (measured by the total perceived stress scale score) and improved sleep quality (measured by the average restorative sleep questionnaire scores) when compared with the placebo group over time. In this double-blinded study, 110 adults with sub-clinical stress were randomly allocated to take either 500 mg of CFE or 500 mg of a placebo daily. A two-way mixed analysis of covariance revealed a significant interaction between treatment group and perceived stress over time, with the CFE treatment group have a greater reduction in stress during the first four weeks. A two-way analysis of variance revealed no interaction between treatment group and GABA, and treatment group and sleep.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Wellbeing (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Gavin Beccaria |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 20 May 2025 03:40 |
| Last Modified: | 20 May 2025 03:40 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Caralluma, stress, sleep, GABA, flavonoids |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52420 |
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