Thymoquin, a black seed oil ingredient manufactured by TriNutra, was shown in a clinical study to support measures of stress resilience in moderately stressed adults who took the supplement for eight weeks. The findings were published in ECronicon.

The heterogeneous group of adults that participated in the randomized, placebo-controlled study was evaluated for changes in cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), sleep quality, and mood. Out of 40 participants total, 20 were administered a placebo, and 20 received the thymoquinone-rich black seed oil.

The results showed a pattern of improvements, including: a 23% reduction in cortisol; a 10% increase in DHEA; a 29% improvement in the DHEA: cortisol ratio; enhanced self-reported measures of vigor; and a 31% improvement in self-reported sleep quality.

“Stress is a system-wide challenge,” said Morris Zelkha, CEO of TriNutra. “What makes this study so compelling is that ThymoQuin demonstrated a coordinated effect across cortisol balance, adrenal function, sleep, and perceived energy. These findings build on previous ThymoQuin research around cortisol balance, further establishing the ingredient as a multi-system solution for modern stress management.”

Cortisol and DHEA are key components of the body’s stress response, and their balance may indicate how the body adapts to ongoing stress. In the present study, the two were evaluated individually and relative to one another; the changes were aligned with improvements in sleep quality and vigor, suggesting a broader pattern of physiological adjustment rather than an isolated effect.

The findings suggest that ThymoQuin supports the body’s natural recovery processes, without acting as a stimulant or sedative. The study introduced the Stress Resilience Index (SRI), an emerging composite measure designed to “capture multi-system adaptation across endocrine, psychological, and sleep domains,” reflecting a shift in research toward whole-body resilience, rather than isolated biomarkers.

“As consumers increasingly look for solutions to manage and balance everyday stress, the industry needs ingredients backed by meaningful, system-level science,” said Zelkha. “ThymoQuin represents the convergence of traditional wisdom and modern clinical validation as an adaptogen for today’s stress challenges.”