Researchers tested whether saffron extract could help people who feel sad, tired, or anxious but don’t have clinical depression. In a carefully controlled study with 51 healthy adults, half took saffron supplements for 6 weeks while the other half took a fake pill. While saffron didn’t reduce sadness, tiredness, or worry directly, people taking saffron reported feeling better about their mental health overall. The results suggest saffron might have a small positive effect, but scientists need to do bigger studies to be sure before recommending it as a treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether taking saffron extract for 6 weeks could improve mood, reduce anxiety, and decrease fatigue in people who feel down but don’t have diagnosed depression
  • Who participated: 51 healthy adults with mild symptoms of low mood, anxiety, or tiredness—people who weren’t sick enough to be diagnosed with depression but still didn’t feel great
  • Key finding: Saffron didn’t reduce depression, anxiety, or fatigue scores compared to placebo. However, people taking saffron reported feeling better about their overall mental health (score of 53.8 vs 44.6 for placebo), suggesting a possible psychological benefit
  • What it means for you: Saffron may help you feel better about your mental health, but it probably won’t directly fix sadness or tiredness. More research is needed before doctors can recommend it. If you’re struggling with mood, talk to a healthcare provider about proven treatments first

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the best ways to test if something actually works. Researchers divided 51 healthy adults into two groups: one received saffron extract pills, and the other received identical-looking fake pills (placebo). Neither the participants nor the researchers knew who got what until the study ended—this is called “double-blind” and helps prevent bias. Everyone took their assigned pills for 6 weeks. The researchers measured depression, anxiety, fatigue, mental health quality of life, inflammation markers in the blood, and stress hormone responses.

The study was well-designed because it used a placebo control, meaning any improvement in the saffron group couldn’t be explained by just expecting to feel better. The researchers also measured multiple outcomes to get a complete picture of how saffron affected mood and health markers.

This approach is important because it helps separate real effects from placebo effects and gives us reliable information about whether saffron actually works.

Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design is the gold standard in nutrition research because it removes bias and shows true effects. This study design matters because mood and mental health are subjective—people often feel better just from taking something they believe will help. By comparing saffron to placebo, researchers could see if saffron had a real effect beyond the placebo effect. The study also measured biological markers like inflammation and stress hormones, which helps explain how saffron might work in the body.

Strengths: The study used a rigorous double-blind design, measured multiple outcomes, and included biological testing. The journal (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition) is highly respected. Limitations: The sample size of 51 people is relatively small, which means results might not apply to everyone. The study only lasted 6 weeks, so we don’t know about long-term effects. The participants were healthy adults with mild symptoms, not people with diagnosed depression, so results may not apply to those with more serious mood disorders.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that saffron extract did not significantly reduce depression, anxiety, or fatigue when measured together or separately. When researchers combined all three mood measures into one score, there was no meaningful difference between the saffron group and placebo group. This was surprising because previous smaller studies had suggested saffron might help with mood.

However, there was one positive finding: people taking saffron reported feeling better about their overall mental health and quality of life compared to the placebo group. On a mental health questionnaire, the saffron group scored 53.8 compared to 44.6 for placebo—a noticeable difference. This suggests saffron might improve how people perceive their mental wellbeing, even if it doesn’t directly reduce specific symptoms like sadness or tiredness.

The researchers also tested blood samples for inflammatory markers and stress hormone responses, thinking saffron might work by reducing inflammation or stress. However, saffron didn’t significantly change these biological markers, suggesting it may not work through these mechanisms.

Metabolomic analysis (a test that looks at chemical compounds in blood) showed that saffron significantly changed levels of a compound called N-acetyl-phenylalanine. This is interesting because this compound is involved in mood regulation, but the study didn’t find that this change translated into better depression or anxiety scores. This suggests saffron does affect body chemistry, but the practical impact on mood symptoms may be limited or work differently than expected.

Previous research on saffron and mood has shown mixed results. Some smaller studies suggested saffron could help with depression symptoms as much as certain antidepressant medications. However, this larger, well-controlled study found saffron didn’t reduce depression, anxiety, or fatigue scores. The difference might be because this study was more rigorous, used a larger sample, or because the previous studies had design limitations. The finding that saffron improved self-perceived mental health is new and interesting but needs confirmation in future studies.

The study had several important limitations: First, only 51 people participated, which is a small number for nutrition research. Larger studies are needed to confirm findings. Second, the study only lasted 6 weeks—we don’t know if saffron would help more with longer use. Third, participants were healthy adults with mild symptoms, not people with diagnosed depression, so results may not apply to those with serious mood disorders. Fourth, the improvement in self-perceived mental health might be partly due to placebo effect or expectation. Finally, the study didn’t find a clear biological mechanism explaining how saffron works, making it harder to understand why it might help some aspects of mental health but not others.

The Bottom Line

Based on this study alone, saffron extract cannot be recommended as a treatment for depression or anxiety symptoms (low confidence). However, the finding that it may improve self-perceived mental health is interesting and worth exploring further (very low confidence). If you’re experiencing low mood, anxiety, or fatigue, proven treatments like therapy, exercise, and sleep improvement should be your first choices. Talk to a doctor before starting saffron supplements, especially if you take medications, as saffron can interact with some drugs.

This research is most relevant to people with mild mood symptoms who are looking for natural options. However, if you have diagnosed depression or anxiety, this study doesn’t provide enough evidence to recommend saffron as a treatment. People taking blood thinners, blood pressure medications, or certain antidepressants should avoid saffron without medical approval. Pregnant women should not take saffron supplements.

In this study, any effects appeared within 6 weeks. However, the effects on mood symptoms were not significant, so you shouldn’t expect major improvements in depression or anxiety. If you did try saffron, you might notice a subtle improvement in how you feel about your mental health within a few weeks, but this is not guaranteed and needs more research to confirm.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your overall mental health perception daily using a simple 1-10 scale (“How do I feel about my mental health today?”) rather than tracking specific symptoms like sadness or anxiety. This matches what the study actually measured and found improvement in.
  • If you choose to try saffron (with doctor approval), combine it with proven mood-boosters: daily 20-minute walks, consistent sleep schedule, and social connection. Log these activities alongside any saffron use to see which combination helps you feel better.
  • Use a weekly mood check-in combining: (1) overall mental health perception score, (2) energy/fatigue level, (3) social engagement, and (4) sleep quality. Track for at least 8-12 weeks to see patterns, since the study only lasted 6 weeks. Share results with your healthcare provider to guide decisions about continuing saffron or trying other approaches.

This research suggests saffron extract did not significantly reduce depression, anxiety, or fatigue symptoms in healthy adults with mild mood concerns. While participants reported improved mental health perception, this finding requires confirmation in larger studies. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you’re experiencing depression, anxiety, or other mood concerns, consult a healthcare provider before starting any supplements. Saffron can interact with medications and may not be safe for pregnant women or people taking certain drugs. Always inform your doctor about supplements you’re considering or taking.