RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Evaluation of the Impact of a Nutritional Formulation on Cognitive Performance Following Stress Exposure.

This research study is investigating if a nutritional drink called 'Think Tank' can help middle-aged women, specifically those aged 40-60, improve their thinking skills after dealing with stress. Many people find stress can affect their memory, attention, and ability to focus. The study will involve giving participants either the 'Think Tank' drink or a 'dummy' drink (placebo), and then testing their brain performance. They'll also look at how participants feel emotionally and physically. The 'Think Tank' drink contains a mix of ingredients like Creatine and Magnesium, which are thought to help brain health. The goal is to see if this combination helps reduce the negative effects of stress on our minds.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Leeds Beckett University

Enrolment target

Start

15 Dec 2025

Estimated completion

31 Aug 2026

Cognitive Assessment Working Memory Executive Function (Cognition)Sustained Attention Inhibitory Control Cognitive Flexibility Cortisol Stress Anxiety Depression Sleep Quality Blood Pressure Heart Rate Mental Fatigue Physical Fatigue Productivity Effort

What is this study about?

Stress can really take a toll on our daily lives, and often, one of the first things we notice is that our thinking can become a bit fuzzy. Things like remembering information, paying attention, and focusing on tasks can get harder when we're feeling stressed. This study aims to explore whether a specific nutritional drink, called 'Think Tank', could help to support our brain function when we're under pressure.

The 'Think Tank' drink is a combination of several nutrients that have, individually, shown some promise in supporting brain health and managing stress. These include ingredients like Creatine, Magnesium, and L-Tyrosine. Researchers want to find out if putting these ingredients together in one drink could have an even better, combined effect on how well our brains work, especially after a stressful event. They'll compare it to a 'dummy' drink that looks and tastes similar but doesn't contain these active ingredients, so they can truly see if the 'Think Tank' drink makes a difference.

This research is important because chronic stress is very common, and finding ways to help our brains cope without relying only on medicines could be a big step forward. The study will look closely at different aspects of thinking, such as remembering things and staying focused, and also at how stress affects the body and our mood. The findings could potentially lead to new ways to help people feel more mentally sharp and productive, even during challenging times.

Key takeaways

Tests if a 'Think Tank' drink improves thinking skills after stress.
Specifically for women aged 40-60 who drink coffee regularly.
Compares the drink to a 'dummy' drink (placebo).
Involves three visits to Leeds Beckett University over up to 8 weeks.
Aims to find new ways to support brain health under stress.

Who may be eligible?

This study is specifically looking for women between the ages of 40 and 60 years old. You should consider yourself generally healthy and not have any major long-term health conditions, especially those affecting your heart or mental well-being. It's also important that you're a regular coffee drinker, as caffeine will be part of the drinks tested.

There are several reasons why you might not be able to join the study. For example, if you smoke or vape, have any known allergies to food products in the drinks, or have certain medical conditions like heart disease or Raynaud's. You also can't participate if you're taking most prescribed medications (except contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy), are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you work night shifts. The researchers also can't include anyone who has had a previous brain injury or surgery.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a woman between 40 and 60 years old?
Do you consider yourself generally healthy and not have major long-term health problems?
Do you drink caffeine every day?
Are you able to visit Leeds Beckett University 3 times over 8 weeks?
Are you currently not pregnant or breastfeeding, and not a smoker/vaper?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the first step will be a health screening to make sure you're a good fit for the study. This will involve answering questions about your health, any medications you take, and your lifestyle.

If you're eligible, you'll visit the Human Behavioural Neuroscience Labs at Leeds Beckett University's city campus three times over a maximum period of 8 weeks. Before each visit, you'll need to avoid alcohol and intense exercise for 24 hours, and avoid eating for one hour. You'll also need to avoid caffeine for at least 6 hours before each session. During these visits, you'll be given either the 'Think Tank' drink or a 'dummy' drink (with caffeine added to both). The researchers will then do various tasks and tests to see how your thinking skills are affected, and they'll also measure things like your heart rate and check in on your mood and how you're feeling.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in any study has potential benefits and risks. You might not directly benefit from this study, but your participation will help researchers learn more about how nutrition can support brain health under stress, which could help many others in the future. There are no known major risks associated with the nutritional ingredients being tested, but some minor temporary side effects could occur, as with any food product. You'll be asked to avoid certain things like caffeine before visits, which might be inconvenient. Remember, your participation is completely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this won't affect your future medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Leeds Beckett University
Verified postcode
Leeds, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a 'placebo'?

A 'placebo' is a 'dummy' drink or tablet that looks and tastes exactly like the actual drink being tested, but it doesn't contain the active ingredients. It helps researchers see if any changes are due to the active ingredients or other factors.

Why are only women aged 40-60 being included?

The researchers have chosen this specific group to make sure the study results are clear and focused. It can be harder to see the effects of something if there are too many differences among participants.

Will I know if I'm getting the 'Think Tank' drink or the placebo?

No, this is a 'double-blind' study, meaning neither you nor the researchers will know which drink you're receiving. This helps make the study results fair and unbiased.

What kind of 'stressor' will I be exposed to?

The study mentions a 'psychological and physical stressor'. This could involve tasks designed to be mentally challenging or a mild physical discomfort, but it will be carefully managed by the researchers.

Will I have to pay to be in the study?

No, you will not have to pay to participate in the study. Any research visits and tests involved will be covered by the study.

How to find out more

Zoe K Kolokotroni, PhD

z.kolokotroni@leedsbeckett.ac.uk +441138123271 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.