---
title: Does curcumin improve PMS symptoms by affecting brain chemistry?
description: Yes, curcumin increased a brain chemical called BDNF and reduced PMS symptoms more than placebo across all three treatment cycles. This suggests curcumin may
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-of-curcumin-on-serum-brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor-levels-in-women-2016/
---

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- Does curcumin improve PMS symptoms by affecting brain chemistry?

Randomised trial, 2016

# Does curcumin improve PMS symptoms by affecting brain chemistry?

Yes, curcumin increased a brain chemical called BDNF and reduced PMS symptoms more than placebo across all three treatment cycles. This suggests curcumin may help PMS by working through effects on the brain.

 Moderate study design

Women with PMS.

## What they did

A trial with 35 women in each group (curcumin and placebo). Women took two capsules daily for 7 days before their period and 3 days after for three menstrual cycles. Blood samples were collected on day 4 of each cycle to measure BDNF, and women recorded their symptoms daily.

## What they found

Before treatment, BDNF levels and symptom scores were similar between groups. After treatment, the curcumin group had significantly higher BDNF levels and significantly lower PMS symptom scores (measuring mood, behavior, and physical symptoms) compared to placebo in all three cycles.

## What it means for you

Curcumin may help PMS by increasing a brain chemical involved in mood and behavior. This is a small study, and we do not know if these brain chemical changes actually cause the symptom improvement or just happen alongside it.

35

women per group

3

menstrual cycles of treatment

2 capsules

daily dose

## About the study

Original title Effect of curcumin on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in women with premenstrual syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Authors Fanaei H, Khayat S, Kasaeian A et al. Journal Neuropeptides Year 2016 Study design Randomised trial Participants 35 What was tested Curcumin capsules, two daily for 7 days before and 3 days after menstruation for three cycles. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.npep.2015.11.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.npep.2015.11.003)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Curcumin and turmeric](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-curcumin/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

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