Feeling Stressed? Help Us Advance Brain Health Research.
We're looking for 50 volunteers across Australia and New Zealand to participate in an exciting new 33-day research study.
Research Study
Could plant-based flavonoids help support the body's response to stress?
At The Vitalogy Project, we're exploring the relationship between stress, cognitive performance and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) — a physiological biomarker that provides insights into how our bodies respond to stress and recovery.
We're inviting adults experiencing everyday stress, mental fatigue or difficulty concentrating to help us investigate whether daily flavonoid supplementation is associated with measurable changes in HRV and how people feel.
Participation is completely FREE, including your study supplements and delivery.
Places are limited. Eligibility criteria apply.
Apply to Join Our Brain Health Research Study
RESEARCH STUDY
Why Are We Conducting This Study?
Stress affects more than just how we feel.
When we're under pressure, our brains and bodies respond through a complex network of physiological processes involving the nervous system, hormones and immune function.
Over time, persistent stress can affect our ability to recover, concentrate and maintain mental energy.
At The Vitalogy Project, we're interested in how naturally occurring plant compounds called flavonoids may support brain health and cognitive wellbeing.
Our latest study aims to explore whether taking our proprietary flavonoid formulation daily for 30 days is associated with improvements in Heart Rate Variability (HRV), alongside changes in perceived stress, fatigue and concentration.
By combining an objective physiological measurement with participants' own experiences, we hope to gain valuable insights that will inform future brain health research.
RESEARCH STUDY
What Is Heart Rate Variability (HRV)?
A typical healthy heart doesn't beat like a perfectly regular metronome.
Even when your heart rate is steady, the tiny intervals between individual heartbeats naturally vary.
This is called Heart Rate Variability (HRV).
HRV reflects aspects of your autonomic nervous system - the system that helps regulate your body's response to stress and recovery.
Generally, lower HRV can be associated with increased physiological stress, poor sleep or inadequate recovery, while higher HRV can reflect greater parasympathetic activity and recovery.
HRV is influenced by many factors, so it isn't a direct measurement of stress or brain inflammation. However, monitoring changes in your own HRV over time can provide useful information about your body's physiological responses.
Using technology developed by neuroscientist Dr Stan Rodski, your HRV is measured in approximately 40 seconds by simply placing your fingertip over your smartphone's camera while using the study's online platform.
No specialist equipment is required.
Research Study
What's Involved?
The study runs for 33 days, divided into two stages.
Days 1–3: Establish Your Baseline
Before taking the supplement, you'll measure your HRV twice daily — morning and evening.
You'll also complete a short questionnaire about your current levels of stress, fatigue and concentration.
This helps us establish your starting point.
Days 4–10: Begin Your Flavonoid Supplementation
You'll begin taking two capsules of Brain Health daily.
You'll continue measuring your HRV twice daily, morning and evening.
Days 11–33: Continue Your Daily Routine
You'll continue taking two Brain Health capsules each day and measuring your HRV once daily.
At the end of Day 33, you'll complete a second short questionnaire so we can compare your responses with those at the beginning of the study.
That's it! Just a few minutes of your time each day to contribute to brain health research.
RESEARCH STUDY
Your Complimentary Study Pack
As a thank-you for contributing to our research, every accepted participant will receive:
A 30-day supply of Brain Health
Our proprietary botanical flavonoid supplement, formulated with extracts from citrus, German chamomile and cacao.
FREE delivery across Australia and New Zealand
Your study pack will be delivered directly to you before your supplementation period begins.
Total cost to participate: $0
RESEARCH study
Who Can Participate?
We're looking for adults in Australia and New Zealand who:
✔︎ Experience everyday stress, mental fatigue or difficulty concentrating
✔︎ Are willing to participate for the full 33 days
✔︎ Have access to a compatible smartphone with a working camera
✔︎ Can complete daily HRV measurements and two short questionnaires
✔︎ Are willing to take two capsules of the study supplement daily for 30 days
✔︎ Meet the study's health and medication eligibility requirements
Unfortunately, if any of the following apply to you, you will not be eligible to participate in this study.
❌ Cardiac arrhythmia
❌ Pacemaker
❌ Use of beta blockers or antidepressants
❌ Use of blood-pressure medication
❌ Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Completing the application does not automatically mean you are enrolled. Our Research Lead will review applications and confirm eligibility before participants begin.
Participation is voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time.
Natural medicine neuroscientist
Meet Our Research Lead
Megan Wilks - Masters in Applied Neuroscience, Bachelor of Natural Medicine
Founder, The Vitalogy Project
Megan has a Master of Science in Applied Neuroscience from King's College London and a passion for understanding how the brain responds to stress and how we can support cognitive wellbeing.
The study is being coordinated through Weyland Yutani, Australia, using HRV measurement technology developed by neuroscientist Dr Stan Rodski.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You'll need a compatible smartphone with a camera and internet access. Your HRV readings will be taken using the study's online platform.
Approximately 40 seconds. You'll measure twice daily during Days 1–10 and once daily during Days 11–33.
No. Your Brain Health supplement and delivery are provided completely free of charge.
No. We encourage participants to continue their normal routines. Maintaining consistency in your daily measurements is important because sleep, alcohol, exercise, illness and other lifestyle factors can affect HRV. We are much more interested
in the trend in your HRV across the 33 days than any single HRV reading.
Some medications or health conditions may affect eligibility or interact with botanical extracts. Our Research Lead will review eligibility, and you may be asked to consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Information about any individual feedback or study results will be provided during the enrolment process. HRV readings are not a medical diagnosis.
Absolutely. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.
ABOUT US
About The Vitalogy Project
Your brain is your edge.
At The Vitalogy Project, we're passionate about helping people support their brain health and cognitive performance through nature and science.
Our proprietary flavonoid formulation, Brain Health, combines carefully selected botanical extracts from citrus, German chamomile and cacao.
Flavonoids are naturally occurring plant compounds that have attracted scientific interest for their antioxidant and neuro-anti-inflammatory activities, as well as their potential roles in neuronal and vascular function.
This study forms part of our ongoing commitment to investigating the relationship between botanical compounds, cognitive wellbeing and the body's response to stress.
Brain Health is listed with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (AUST L 419098).