Rhodiola rosea, also known as golden root or roseroot, is a herb that grows in the mountains of Europe and Asia. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to help improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and enhance physical and mental performance. Studies suggest that rhodiola rosea has nootropic effects, as it helps to improve cognitive function and brain health.
Overview
What is rhodiola rosea?
Rhodiola rosea is a herb that grows in the mountains of Europe and Asia. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to help improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and enhance physical and mental performance.
Rhodiola Rosea is thought to be the perfect remedy for fatigue and burnout. It is useful for the brain, protecting it from toxin damage, and boosting memory capacity as well as productivity. Recent research confirms that this high-altitude herb prevents the harmful effects of stress by restoring energy, improving mood, and enhancing cognition.
Furthermore, Rhodiola seems to promote longevity, combat fatigue, reduce anxiety, in addition to serving as a general neuroprotectant.
Rhodiola Rosea Benefits
What are the potential benefits of rhodiola rosea?
Some of the potential benefits of rhodiola rosea include reducing fatigue and improving physical and mental performance, helping to improve mood and reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety, supporting cognitive function and brain health, and acting as an adaptogen.
Rhodiola rosea is a herb that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its supposed health benefits. Some of the potential benefits of rhodiola rosea include:
- Reducing fatigue and improving physical and mental performance
- Supporting cognitive function and brain health
- Improves mood and reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety
- Acting as an adaptogen, helping the body to adapt to physical and mental stress
- Reduces Symptoms of Mild Depression
- Neuroprotective
Supporting research:
Reducing fatigue and improving physical and mental performance
Rhodiola is an excellent fatigue fighter. Typically decreasing the harmful physical and mental consequences of minor physical exhaustion [R].
It is most useful in combating the kind of fatigue produced by prolonged repetitive low-intensity exertion or extended periods of stress [R].
It is observed to increase the length of active exercise time [R], but opinions vary on whether it improves athletic performance from intense exertion.
While Rhodiola may be minimally competent as a performance enhancer for athletes [R], it can be extremely of use for students, late workers, and individuals who need to keep going with everyday life after fatigue gets the best of them. Rhodiola relieves many physical symptoms of fatigue, even diminishing them. Of such example are muscle aches, soreness, feelings of exhaustion, headaches, and sleepiness [R].
Supporting cognitive function and brain health
Rhodiola is proven to address many of the cognitive symptoms of fatigue; including irritability, impaired judgment or decision-making ability, and declining brain capacity [R]. A vast number of clinical trials continuously indicate this herb notably increases cognitive skills. It improves the memory, increases motivation, and also increase the capacity to endure more challenging work [R]. Many consider Rhodiola a powerful fatigue-independent nootropic, and its potential cognitive benefits remain under a lot of clinical trials.
The most intriguing trials involved a group of healthy physicians on night duty over a period of six weeks [R]. The double-blind placebo-controlled study revealed that the participants receiving Rhodiola outscored those receiving placebo on several complex mental capabilities. That included associative thought, short-term memory, calculation, concentration, keen speed, and overall level of mental fatigue. [R]
Improves mood and reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety
Recent studies on Rhodiola add to its well-earned reputation as an excellent adaptogen aiding the body to achieve systemic balance and restore itself to normal function after exposure to stress [R]. This therapeutic process is a valuable benefit for users who frequently deal with intense situations, hectic schedules, and high expectations, which seems to describe the average 9 to 5 person in most developing cities today.
Furthermore, clinical trials involving participants with chronic stress symptoms exhibit measurable improvements in all stress marks across the board; low energy, headache, muscular aches and discomfort, depression, mood swings, and sleep disorders [R].
In another double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of students taking exams; Rhodiola shows to considerably improve general well-being and physical fitness, reduce mental fatigue, and improve scores on a battery of neuro-motoric tests [R]. The students taking Rhodiola were scoring 8.4% higher on their exams in comparison to students on placebo. [R]
Reduces Symptoms of Mild Depression
Rhodiola has potential as a reliable and efficient treatment for mild depression [R].
Research remains ongoing, but clinical trials indicate that twice-daily doses of Rhodiola resulted in a significant lessening of depression, insomnia, emotional instability and other symptoms in patients diagnosed with mild to moderate depression. [R]
Neuroprotective
Many enzymes in Rhodiola have potent antioxidant properties (R). Not only do these enzymes guard neurons against oxidative damage and prolong cell life, but they also represent a potential therapy for neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease, which is defined by significant oxidative stress and neuronal damage[R]. Animal studies show that Rhodiola can reduce oxidative damage to the cellular mitochondria and therefore has the potential to of being a decent addition to the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. [R]
Though research is ongoing and results remain uncertain, Rhodiola still has the possibility of being a remedy for a broad scope of conditions, including high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, heart disease, cancer, and longevity.
Rhodiola Rosea Mechanism of Action
The exact mechanism of action of rhodiola rosea is not fully understood. However, it is thought that the herb may work by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which are involved in mood and cognitive function. Rhodiola rosea may also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which can help to protect the brain from damage and support overall brain health. Additionally, some research has suggested that rhodiola rosea may help to increase the production of ATP, the primary source of energy for cells in the body, which could explain its potential ability to reduce fatigue and improve physical and mental performance.
It seems to act primarily by modulating a variety of signaling pathways and molecular networks in the brain. It affects this modulation to no small extent via many phytochemical components.
These components help to prevent the removal of serotonin and dopamine; primarily chemicals associated with making us feel happy. It also increases the availability of epinephrine and norepinephrine, compounds related to giving us drive and energy. Through these alterations, Rhodiola positively impacts mood, reduces fatigue perception, and enhances cognitive abilities.
Rhodiola promotes movements for chemicals in our brain, improving processing and reaction time. It also helps with stress system by suppressing the cortisol (stress-inducing hormone) and promoting beta-endorphins and opiate peptides (stress reducing hormones).
Rhodiola Rosea Dosage
How do I take rhodiola rosea?
Rhodiola rosea is typically available in capsule or tablet form, and it is recommended to take the supplement with a full glass of water. The recommended dose will vary depending on the specific product and the desired effects, so it is important to follow the instructions on the product label or consult with a healthcare provider for guidance.
Safe and effective at doses ranging from 50 mg to 680 mg daily. It is best to take on an empty stomach, in a periodic cycle, thereby preventing tolerance build up.
A 100 mg dose effectively improves memory and focus, but a 400 mg is more effective at relieving symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Rhodiola Rosea Side Effects
Is rhodiola rosea safe to use?
Rhodiola rosea is generally considered safe to use, but it is always a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider before taking any new supplement to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for you.
Can rhodiola rosea interact with any medications?
Rhodiola rosea may interact with certain medications, including antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and blood thinners. If you are taking any medications, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider before taking rhodiola rosea to avoid potential interactions.
Rhodiola is generally safe and non-addictive at moderate doses (50 mg – 680 mg daily) for a period up to 10 weeks. The most common side effects are mild to moderate dizziness, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, nausea, restlessness, and increased libido. Those side effects exist in consuming high doses. Therefore, it is essential to start with the minimum effective dose and increase as needed.
Conclusion
Rhodiola as a tonic has become a tradition at this point after maintaining its reputation for generations. Moreover, it is still growing in popularity today as we learn more about its potential uses and capabilities. It is a powerful adaptogen and reliable neuroprotectant that help manage the adverse effects of stress. Therefore, it is a great supplement to consider for individuals interested in pushing up mental and physical performance to the optimum.