Marine peptides for sleep, memory & stress

Fish hydrolysate supplements are marketed for sleep, memory and stress. The few human studies are small, all three have ties to a company with an interest in the product, and one found no difference from placebo.

What the evidence shows

Fish hydrolysate for sleep quality

Limited human evidence

A four-week crossover trial found sleep scores improved from baseline, but there was no significant difference between fish hydrolysate and placebo. The trial was fully sponsored by Abyss Ingredients, and two authors disclose a commercial interest.

Fish hydrolysate for memory in older adults

Limited human evidence

One 3-month trial in 53 adults aged 60–73 with lower-than-average memory scores found better episodic memory than placebo. The product also contained omega-3 fatty acids, and two authors are funded by Abyss Ingredients.

Fish-peptide supplement (with magnesium and B6) for anxiety

Limited human evidence

A single-arm study with no control group reported lower anxiety scores over 28 days. It cannot separate the supplement from placebo or natural recovery, and three authors work for Laboratoire Dielen.

Verdicts reflect only the studies summarised on this site, last reviewed November 9, 2026. See how verdicts are set.

Studies (3)

Study	Design	Peptide
Chataigner et al., 2026	Human trial (controlled)	Fish protein hydrolysate
Eckert et al., 2024	Human trial (controlled)	Fish protein hydrolysate
Oddoux et al., 2022	Human study (no control group)	Fish protein hydrolysate

Human trial (controlled)Sleep, memory & stressFish protein hydrolysateOral

Dietary fish hydrolysate improves episodic memory in healthy elderly with lower level of memory performance: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study

Chataigner et al., 2026 · Am J Clin Nutr · 53 healthy adults aged 60–73 whose memory scores were lower than average for their age

On the primary episodic-memory score the fish hydrolysate group did better than placebo (P = 0.003), with partial improvement in spatial working memory; verbal recognition did not differ. Red-blood-cell omega-3 levels rose and C-reactive protein, a marker of…

What it found and what it doesn't show

Human trial (controlled)Sleep, memory & stressFish protein hydrolysateOral

Efficacy of a fish hydrolysate supplement on sleep quality: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial

Eckert et al., 2024 · Clin Nutr ESPEN · Healthy German adults reporting poor sleep quality (number not given in the abstract)

Sleep quality on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index improved from baseline during the four weeks on fish hydrolysate (p = .002), with better sleep efficacy, fewer sleep disturbances and less daytime sleepiness. But there were no significant differences…

What it found and what it doesn't show

Human study (no control group)Sleep, memory & stressFish protein hydrolysateOral

Effect of a Dietary Supplement Combining Bioactive Peptides and Magnesium on Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety: A Clinical Trial in General Practice

Oddoux et al., 2022 · Nutrients · Patients diagnosed with adjustment disorder with anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety score of 20 or more) seen by general practitioners; number not given in the abstract

Average Hamilton anxiety scores fell by 12.1 points (from 25.6 to 13.6, p < 0.001), 41.9% of patients had a 50% reduction in score, and clinicians rated 75.3% as improved.

What it found and what it doesn't show

Not covered yet

No independently funded randomised trial of a marine peptide supplement for sleep, memory or stress is summarised here.

Educational information only. It is not medical or legal advice, and nothing here is a recommendation to use any peptide. Talk to a clinician before starting a supplement or treatment.