Evidence supporting the use of: DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
For the health condition: Stress
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid most commonly associated with brain health, cognitive function, and development. Its use to support or treat stress is based on emerging scientific interest, though robust clinical evidence is limited. Several observational and interventional studies have examined the relationship between omega-3 fatty acid intake and stress-related outcomes, such as perceived stress, anxiety, and mood disorders. Some research suggests that omega-3 supplementation—including DHA—may help modulate the body's response to stress by influencing neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter function, and neuronal membrane fluidity. For example, a few small clinical trials have reported that omega-3 supplementation can reduce perceived stress or anxiety scores in certain populations, such as medical students or individuals under chronic stress. However, these effects are often modest, and studies frequently use a combination of EPA and DHA rather than DHA alone, making it difficult to isolate DHA’s specific impact. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses generally conclude that while there may be a potential benefit, the quality and consistency of evidence are not strong. Therefore, the use of DHA for stress is scientifically plausible but not definitively validated, and more large-scale, well-controlled studies are needed. Its use is not strongly rooted in traditional medicine for this purpose.
Other ingredients used for Stress
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)7-Keto-DHEA
Acetyl L-carnitine
alpha-pinene
arjun tree
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
Waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bergamot
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
sesame
black tea
bonito peptide
bupleurum falcatum
California poppy
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
chamomile
cordyceps
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
dong quai root
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish protein
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gardenia
gotu kola
green tea
guayusa
heartwood
hibiscus
hops
jujube
kava
kudzu
L-ornithine
L-taurine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus helveticus
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lavender
Lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
liquid liver fractions
maca
magnesium
magnolia
Matcha
Melatonin
Mint
Motherwort
Muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
oat
passionflower
Peppermint
perilla
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
pine bark
polygala root
pregnenolone
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quail egg
relora® (proprietary)
Rhodiola
rose oil
saffron
sceletium
black ginger
skullcap
spearmint leaf
spinach
Valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
Mulberry
whole adrenal glandular
Zinc
sarsaparilla
suma
jiaogulan
catnip
cardamom
anise
Fumaria parviflora
bee pollen
lingzhi
kanna
silk tree
oriental arborvitae
anemarrhena asphodeloides
St. John's Wort
Yerba mate
noni
Wood betony
biota seed
goji berry
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
star of Bethlehem
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Aralia
arjuna
Akebia
antler
Agastache
Agrimony
apigenin
Antrodia camphorata
Arginine aspartate
Albizia
Anserina
Agmatine
Agarwood
Alpha lactalbumin
Algal protein
betony
Baikal Skullcap
Black spruce
baccosides
Bacopin
baicalein
Basidiomycota
banyan
brahmi
Bacopa
Buddha\'s hand
borage
banana
Bifidobacteria
Bupleurum
bacoside
baicalin
bird\'s nest
Centella triterpenes
Monkey flower
Clary sage
Chinese mountain ant
Codonopsis
coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Chinese fleeceflower
chuchuhuasi
Cymbopogon martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
coca
chocolate
Capitate Valerian
corktree
catuaba
C-phycocyanin
cypress
cowslip
calamus
cherimoya
Convolvulus prostratus
Corydalis
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Celastrus
Canscora
dismutase
dodeca-2E, 4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide
dibenzo-alpha pyrones
devil\'s club
date
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
Eplotab
Erythrina
emblicanin
Eurycoma Longifolia
fo-ti
fragrant rosewood
Ficus religiosa
fish
frankincense
flavones
goldthread
Gelsemium
Ginsenosides
Griffonia simplicifolia
gum
galactooligosaccharides
Glycine
gastrodin
Honokiol
Hemidesmus
Homalomena
Hypericum
hericium mushroom
honeybush
isoliquiritigenin
Japanese kadsura
jasmine
jujubosides
Jatamansi
kavalactones
Kukicha
kola nut
kuding tea
Lycium
lemon balm
Lactucarium
linden
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactucopicrin
limonene
longan
Lavandin
lotus
Leptadenia
Large-leaved linden
lupulinum
lactalbumin
Mentha haplocalyx
macamides
mandarin
maral root
mangiferin
Myrcene
Mung bean
Marjoram
Mimulus
Mistletoe
Methylxanthine
Mimosa
Meadow sage
Mate
magnolol
Mulungu
macaenes
Mesembrine
Nardostachys
Night jessamine
Nymphaea caerulea
oolong tea
orchid
Oxindole alkaloids
pyrroloquinoline quinone
Piper chaba
Patchouli oil
Pepper Bark Tree
Pentatropis capensis
Passionfruit
poppy
Pistachio
Polygala
Purple Monkeyflower
rosavins
Rosabin
Rauvolfia
Rehmannia
rose
Rooibos
Speedwell
Sumbul
Spikenard
Scleranthus annus
Salidroside
Safed musli
Sarivan
Shankhpushpi
Sweet Woodruff
Schisandrins
Sida cordifolia
Semecarpus anacardium
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Schizandrol A
Shataverins
Sandy Everlasting
Shilajit
Safranal
Tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids
Traveler's Joy
Trichilia catigua
Taxillus chinensis
Trichopus zeylanicus
Taurine
Tagara
Tetrahydropalmatine
Uncaria
Vetiver
Valerenic acid
Vine tea
Vitexin
Viburnum
Verbena
Vanilla
Withanolides
Wogonin
Xanthine
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
Xanthone
Yuzu
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Yumberry
Yohimbine
Ylang ylang
Other health conditions supported by DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
Alzheimer's DiseaseAnxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Convulsions
Coordination
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Macular Degeneration
Memory and Brain Function
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Post Partum Depression
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Stress
Strokes
Triglycerides (high)
Products containing DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
Thorne
Advanced DHA
Vitabase
Brain Support
Vitabase
Complete Essential Fatty Acids
Pure Encapsulations
DHA Ultimate
Pure Encapsulations
DHA Ultimate
Pure Encapsulations
EFA Essentials
Pure Encapsulations
Energize Plus™ Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA essentials 1,000 mg
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA essentials 1,000 mg
Vitabase
EPA / DHA Omega-3
Pure Encapsulations
EPA/DHA with Lemon
Pure Encapsulations
EPA Ultimate
Klean Athlete
Klean Omega ™
Douglas Laboratories
Krill Oil
Pure Encapsulations
Krill-Plex
Pure Encapsulations
Krill-Plex
Metagenics
MetaKids DHA
Metagenics
MetaKids Nutrition Powder Chocolate
Metagenics
MetaKids Nutrition Powder Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations
NeuroMood Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Omega
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Omega
Thorne
Omega-3 w/ CoQ10
Thorne
Omega Superb Lemon Berry
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Algae EPA-DHA 300 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics EPA DHA 2400 Fish Oil
Metagenics
OmegaGenics EPA-DHA 300 Lemon Lime
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 1000 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 1000 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 500 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 500 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil Mega 10®
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Neuro 1000 mg
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Hi-Po
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Hi-Po
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Hi-Po Liquid
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Liquid
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Synergy
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Synergy
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ TG1000
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra DHA
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra with Vitamin D3, K1 and K2
Douglas Laboratories
Opti-EPA 500 ™ Cholesterol Free
Douglas Laboratories
Opti-EPA 500 ™ Cholesterol Free
Metagenics
PlusOne® Daily Prenatal Packs
Thorne
Prenatal DHA
Pure Encapsulations
Pro-Resolve Omega
Thorne
Pro-Resolving Mediators
Integrative Therapeutics
Pure Omega HP
Integrative Therapeutics
Pure Omega Liquid
Integrative Therapeutics
Pure Omega Ultra HP
Pure Encapsulations
PureNutrients EPA/DHA
Douglas Laboratories
QÜELL® FISH OIL DHA Ultra SPM
Douglas Laboratories
QUELL Fish Oil ® - EPA/DHA Plus D
Metagenics
SPM Active
Thorne
Super EPA
Thorne
Super EPA NSF
Thorne
Super EPA Pro
Vitabase
Super Omega-3
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra G.L.A. Borage Oil
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra G.L.A. Borage Oil
Pure Encapsulations
Ultra Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations
VisionPro EPA/DHA/GLA
Pure Encapsulations
VisionPro EPA/DHA/GLA
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Active Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Brain Health Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials® Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Healthy Balance Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Men's Vitality Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Prime Daily Packs
Designs For Health
XanthOmega™ Krill Oil
