Prevalence and patterns of use of dietary supplements and OTC medications for mood improvement and stress relief among adults in Poland.

Authors

Aleksandra Brzozowska, Jakub Grabowski

Published in

Scientific reports. Jul 14, 2026. Epub Jul 14, 2026.

Abstract

Poland is one of the leading countries in the European Union for dietary supplement (DS) use, with a rapidly expanding market that includes products marketed for mood improvement and stress relief. Despite high levels of psychological distress in the population, detailed data on the use of these products remains limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and usage patterns of DS and OTC medications for mood improvement and stress relief among adults in Poland, along with factors that influence their choices and safety practices. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2024 and May 2025 using an online questionnaire and in-person interviews. Respondents were classified as current users (CU), past users (PU) or never users (NU). Statistical analyses involved chi-square tests and t-tests. Of 798 respondents (80,6% women), there were 184 CU (23,06%) and 297 PU (37,22%). The most common ingredients were Withania somnifera, Melissa officinalis and melatonin. 94 CU (51,09%) and 131 PU (44,11%) reported concurrent use of regular medications, but only a small proportion of them (25,54% and 18,86%, respectively) informed their physician. Main reasons for nondisclosure included the belief that DS use is irrelevant to medical decisions and fear of judgment. CU were more likely than PU to use DS rather than OTC drugs, consider the composition when choosing a preparation and engage in long-term use (> 1 year). DS and OTC medications for mood improvement and stress relief are widely used among adults in Poland. Limited communication with healthcare providers, misconceptions about safety and potential interactions highlight the need for better patient education, improved nutrivigilance and routine screening for DS and OTC use in clinical practice.

PMID:
42448731
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 15 Jul 2026.

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