Saffron for Depression in Women

A 2020 study found that 15mg of saffron twice daily significantly improved symptoms of mild to moderate depression in women compared to placebo over 12 weeks. Saffron has been found to inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. Saffron may also increase glutamate levels. High doses of saffron may cause headaches, nausea or other side effects.

Akhondzadeh S, Mostafavi SA, Keshavarz SA, Mohammadi MR, Hosseini S, Eshraghian MR. A placebo controlled randomized clinical trial of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) on depression and food craving among overweight women with mild to moderate depression. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2020 Feb;45(1):134-143. doi: 10.1111/jcpt.13040. Epub 2019 Oct 10. PMID: 31602695.

Dormal V, Suchareau M, Copine S, Simar L, Deldicque L. The Effects of Combined Scutellaria and Saffron Supplementation on Mood Regulation in Participants with Mild-to-Moderate Depressive Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2025 Feb 26;17(5):809. doi: 10.3390/nu17050809. PMID: 40077679; PMCID: PMC11901551.