Honey as a mood booster? small study tests stingless bee honey for depression

NCT ID NCT06723249

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether taking stingless bee honey daily for two months could improve depression symptoms, memory, and stress markers in adults with major depressive disorder. 45 participants either took the honey or nothing (no placebo). Researchers measured mood, blood markers, and verbal memory. The goal was to see if honey could be a helpful add-on to standard care.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: stingless bee honey
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a natural supplement to help ease depression symptoms and improve memory.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed trial with no placebo, so results may be unreliable. The honey is a supplement, not a replacement for standard depression treatment.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER (MDD)

Contacts and locations

Locations

Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, 16150, Malaysia

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.