{"id":1853,"date":"2022-03-11T07:12:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-11T14:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.betternutrition.com\/2018\/08\/01\/saffron-emotional-health\/"},"modified":"2022-03-11T08:12:15","modified_gmt":"2022-03-11T15:12:15","slug":"saffron-mood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.betternutrition.com\/conditions-and-wellness\/mood-stress\/saffron-mood\/","title":{"rendered":"The Impressive Mood-Boosting Benefits of Saffron. Plus, What to Look For in a Supplement"},"content":{"rendered":"

Saffron has been used medicinally for 4,000 years, to treat at least 90 different illnesses. But in supplements today, it\u2019s become an evidence-based, natural mood booster that rivals pharmaceuticals without their side effects. \u201cIt\u2019s known for its cheerfulness-promoting properties so it\u2019s one of the happiest botanicals,\u201d says Nick Bitz, ND<\/a>, a naturopathic physician, and expert in botanical medicine and Ayurveda. And research backs up the claim, in people of all ages.<\/p>\n

Did You Know<\/strong>? Saffron was used to make red pigment in cave paintings that date back 50,000 years.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Effective Antidepressant<\/h2>\n

Well-designed studies of depressed adults have compared saffron supplements with either a placebo or antidepressant drugs. When researchers at Jacksonville University in Florida analyzed the results<\/a>, they found two things: Saffron was clearly more effective than a placebo, and it was just as effective as antidepressants\u2014even for major depression\u2014without adverse effects. Drugs used as comparisons included the Prozac variety and tricyclic antidepressants.<\/p>\n

Another study found that saffron is a safe remedy for postpartum depression, among new moms who are breast-feeding. Antidepressant drugs can be dangerous for both mother and baby, but saffron proved to be a safe and effective alternative<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Saffron for Milder Mood Issues<\/h2>\n

A multinational team of scientists found that in adults, saffron supplements relieved low mood<\/a> that was not severe enough to be diagnosed as depression. It also improved symptoms related to stress and anxiety.<\/p>\n

Mood-boosting herbs are not typically tested on teenagers, but Australian and Spanish researchers did just that. In a group of teens between the ages of 12 and 16, they found that 14 mg of a saffron extract (Affron), taken twice daily, safely improved both depression and anxiety<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How Saffron Works to Boost Mood<\/h2>\n

Antidepressant medications have a narrow target, such as a specific neurotransmitter. Saffron exerts an influence on mood in many ways, including neurotransmitters, but it also affects about 20 different pathways, and various hormones and enzymes.<\/p>\n

With saffron, says Bitz, \u201cYou\u2019re not going to push one pathway really strongly, which then, inadvertently, always creates a side effect.\u201d Taking a typical 28\u201330 mg supplement dose is much like eating a serving of traditional Spanish paella, a dish flavored with saffron spice.<\/p>\n

Saffron has no known adverse effects or harmful interactions with any type of medication. For people who are trying to get off antidepressants, saffron can be taken at the same time, and may help with the process of weaning off the drugs.<\/p>\n

Although mood boosting is the main evidence-based use of saffron, it can also have beneficial effects on weight loss, PMS, vision, sleep, the heart, immunity, the respiratory system, digestion, and skin. Bitz calls these other benefits \u201csecondary.\u201d Because the chief effect of saffron is on the central nervous system, he explains, it can have a beneficial influence on many areas of the body.<\/p>\n

What to Expect when Taking Saffron<\/h2>\n

Studies generally test saffron for 4\u201312 weeks, but Bitz has found that many people experience a mood lift with only one dose. Although some may need to take it daily to maintain a cheerful mood, others may find that occasional use is all they need.<\/p>\n

Satiereal and Weight Loss<\/h2>\n

In addition to its mood-boosting effects, saffron may also help you shed pounds. A study<\/a> of healthy but overweight women found that as well as lifting mood, a specific type of saffron extract known as Satiereal reduced the urge to snack and enhanced weight loss.<\/p>\n

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How to Choose and Use Saffron Supplements<\/h2>\n