Topic starter
What saffron is
Saffron is a spice derived from the saffron crocus, a flower that blooms for only eight days a year. The spice comes from the pistils, of which each flower has only three. 150 saffron crocuses are needed to produce one gram of saffron.
Add saffron to rice or rice substitute dishes, and the dish will acquire the specific flavor of saffron. Saffron tastes slightly honey-sweet.
Medical active substances
Saffron contains, among others, the carotenoids crocetin and crocine (a group of 6 metabolites of crocetin), picrocrocine (precursor of safranal, a metabolite of the carotenoid zeaxanthin), and safranal. Crocine and crocetin are responsible for the color, picrocrocine for the taste, and safranal for the aroma of saffron. They are the main medicinal compounds responsible for the health effects of saffron. In addition, saffron contains more than 150 other compounds, including vitamins (such as riboflavin and thiamine), minerals, carotenoids (zeaxanthin, lycopene, α- and β-carotene), and bioflavonoids (quercetin, kaemferol).
A good quality saffron supplement contains saffron extract with a guaranteed high concentration of crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal, for example, saffron extract standardized to at least 3,5% of these bioactive compounds (lepticrosalides) and at least 2% of safranal.
Mechanism of action of saffron's antidepressant properties
Various components in saffron (crocin, crocetine, safranal) have a strong antidepressant effect, partly due to anti-inflammatory effects, reduction of oxidative stress, regulation of the stress response (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), stimulation of GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acid) neurotransmission, and inhibition of reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin) in the brain. Extracts of the stigmas (saffron) and petals of Crocus sativus have equally strong antidepressant activity. Animal studies have shown that saffron (particularly safranal) has calming and anxiolytic effects; crocine counteracts compulsive disorder (obsessive-compulsive disorder).
Examining study results
Various clinical studies have shown that saffron supplementation can alleviate various mild depressions. Multiple studies have established that a saffron extract (2x15 mg/day) works just as well against depression and anxiety as the standard antidepressants fluoxetine, citalopram, and imipramine, but has no significant side effects such as sexual dysfunction.
In other studies, saffron had a success rate of 73% in reducing depression and anxiety. In a group of women with postnatal depression, 40.6% of the participants benefited from saffron supplementation.
Saffron also works for
- Premenstrual Syndrome
- Improvement of male fertility
- Sexual dysfunction
- To fall off
- Lowering high blood pressure
- Protection of the nervous system, kidneys, heart, liver, blood vessels, and blood against toxins
- Open-angle glaucoma
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Alzheimer's disease
- Diabetes and diabetes-related diseases
- Relieving asthma
- Cancer fight
Afterword
Saffron is safe to use in low doses. Saffron extracts are safe up to a dose of 200 mg/day. If you buy saffron for cooking, 1.5 grams per day is safe. A higher dose may interact with your medication.
If you are feeling down, using saffron in the kitchen or as a supplement is a good option. Effects should become noticeable after the first week. Do you remain depressed? Then please contact us. so that we can look together at what a possible solution is for you.
Information was obtained from source: www.orthokennis.nl
Posted : 23 December 2018 20:08
Saffron appears within the framework of psychedelic therapy and general mental health to be a valuable natural supplement. Saffron acts as a anti-inflammatory and neurotransmitter modulator. This means that it can not only lower inflammation levels in the body (which is important for depressive symptoms), but also influence the balance of neurotransmitters such as serotonin — the brain's 'happiness hormone'.
In the article about winter depression and psilocybin Saffron is mentioned as a supplement that, just like vitamin D, omega-3 (such as krill oil), and 5-HTP, can be used to alleviate the winter blues or mood disorders. The mechanism of action of saffron appears to lie in increasing serotonin levels and reducing oxidative stress.
In the article about neurotransmitters and nutrition, where saffron is mentioned as one of the supplements that naturally improve mood. Its effect is partly attributed to its impact on serotonin and its anti-inflammatory properties.
In message about better sleep and supplements Saffron is mentioned alongside 5-HTP, magnesium, and L-theanine as a calming support for sleep problems. In combination with a psilocybin session can saffron contribute to deeper relaxation, better sleep, and a more stable mood — especially when these interventions are embedded in broader lifestyle guidance.
In short, saffron is not a psychedelic substance, but a natural mood enhancer that aligns well with the holistic principle of Triptherapie: working on mental health through proper nutrition, supplementation, and psychedelic sessions. Would you like to explore whether a session or guidance with saffron is right for you? Then you can start with the intake for trip therapy.
Posted : 27 May 2025 10:27