Few trials have assessed the effects of saffron on symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but preliminary research is promising.
Currently, existing trials have either compared saffron alone to methylphenidate, a common stimulant medication used in ADHD, or compared saffron plus methylphenidate to methylphenidate alone. In two trials, saffron was comparable to methylphenidate for reducing ADHD symptoms and improving executive function in children and adolescents.[1][2] In another two studies, adding saffron to methylphenidate seemed to more effectively reduce ADHD symptoms than methylphenidate alone in both children and adults.[3][4]
Saffron may inhibit the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine (a similar mechanism to many ADHD medications), which could explain these results.[5]
References
- ^Blasco-Fontecilla H, Moyano-Ramírez E, Méndez-González O, Rodrigo-Yanguas M, Martin-Moratinos M, Bella-Fernández MEffectivity of Saffron Extract (Saffr'Activ) on Treatment for Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Clinical Effectivity Study.Nutrients.(2022-Sep-28)
- ^Sara Baziar, Ali Aqamolaei, Ebrahim Khadem, Seyyed Hosein Mortazavi, Sina Naderi, Erfan Sahebolzamani, Amirhosein Mortezaei, Shakiba Jalilevand, Mohammad-Reza Mohammadi, Mahsa Shahmirzadi, Shahin AkhondzadehCrocus sativus L. Versus Methylphenidate in Treatment of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind Pilot StudyJ Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol.(2019 Apr)
- ^Khaksarian M, Ahangari N, Masjedi-Arani A Mirr I , Jafari H , Kordian S, Nooripour R, Hassanvandi SA comparison of methylphenidate (MPH) and combined methylphenidate with Crocus sativus (saffron) in the treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD: A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, clinical trialIran J Psychiatry Behav Sci.(2021 May)
- ^Pazoki B, Zandi N, Assaf Z, Moghaddam H, Zeinoddini A, Mohammadi M, Akhondzadeh SEfficacy and safety of saffron as adjunctive therapy in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trialAdv Integr Med.(2022 Mar)
- ^Seyedi-Sahebari S, Farhang S, Araj-Khodaei M, Akhondzadeh S, Naseri A, Sanaie S, Frounchi NThe Effects of (Saffron) on ADHD: A Systematic Review.J Atten Disord.(2024-Jan)