Rhodiola Rosea is an herb that has been extensively studied in Russia and Scandinavian countries for over 35 years. It is categorized as an adaptogen because of its ability to increase resistance to chemical, biological, and physical stressors according to the needs of your body.
Studies have shown that rhodiola
• Helps cope with stress
• enhances mood, sleep, and mental focus
• can improve exercise performance
• supports normal levels of neurotransmitters – serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine
Rhodiola has been found to influence the levels and activity of neurotransmitters and the amino acids that mimic the effect of opiates in the brain. Because it is an adaptogen, Rhodiola has the potential to balance neurotransmitters without causing drowsiness or fatigue. In other words, it helps maintain normal levels of brain chemicals but, when they are already normal, Rhodiola will not further affect them.
Medical students given Rhodiola during exam periods reported improved concentration and performance, as well as enhanced well-being, improved sleep, and greater mood stability.
In addition to aiding sleep, Rhodiola can enhance mood and decrease occasional episodes of worry and nervousness, allowing for more efficient functioning under stressful conditions.
Rhodiola has also been used to fight fatigue, improve memory, and increase attention span, making it helpful for those suffering from the more sluggish type of ADD. In addition, scientific evidence points to an ability to fuel sexual energy, boost immunity, and ease depression. Studies on fruit flies showed that it was a factor in increased longevity.
The typical recommended dosage is 200 mg to 600 mg daily for the treatment of fatigue and depression and it is best taken on an empty stomach. Rhodiola should be taken early in the day as it may interfere with sleep rather than enhance it if taken too late in the day. It should not be used in individuals with bipolar disorder or those taking hypertensive or hypoglycemic medications. (As with any herb or drug, check with your physician before taking it.)
Impressed by these studies and improvement in our clients, we use Rhodiola as part of the Amen Clinic’s formula for energy and focus, available through the store on our website.
www.amenclinic.com
Some Research Studies on Rhodiola:
Iovieno, N., E.D. Dalton, M. Fava, et al. 2010. Second-tier natural antidepressants: Review and critique. Journal of Affective Disorder June 24, 2010. [Epub ahead of print].
Qu, Z.Q., Y. Zhou, Y.S. Zeng, et al. 2009. Pretreatment with Rhodiola rosea extract reduces cognitive impairment induced by intracerebroventricular streptozotocin in rats: implication of anti-oxidative and neuroprotective effects. Biomedical and Environmental Sciences: BES 22(4)318-326.
University of California – Irvine (2007, December 10). Herbal Extract Found To Increase Lifespan. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 22, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com¬ /releases/2007/12/071205115232.htm
Will this work in conjunction with NeuroLink?
I’ll try it. Is it approved for kids? I’d like to try it for my 12 year old if it is.
I am very interested in the Rhodiola mentioned in today’s article. Can you suggest a place where I can get a high quality grade of this. Thank you.
Are there any particular brands that are better than others??
A friend’s son, a young adult, is refusing standard treatment with medication, and outpatient treatment at College Hospital. I’m forwarding this to her and hopefully she will share it with her son. I’ve been urging her to advocate for his getting help at the the Amen Clinic.
Thanks for you work.
So this should not be taken by people with high blood pressure?
Hi. My husband has ADHD and is not ‘sluggish’ would this be a bad choice for him? He hyper focuses and stays up sometimes all night. Doesn’t learn quickly from his mistakes. He’s 55 going on 17.
Does it induce mania in bipolar? Or just interfere with common meds for bipolar treatment?
Has its effect on fibromyalgia been studied?
Don’t worry – I never take anything without doctor’s consent.
Please explain how this article compares with the research found on another webpage by the Amen Clinic at:
http://www.amenclinics.com/brain-science/natural-supplement-research/
The Natural Standard grading system states that Rhodiola has unclear scientific evidence. Wouldn’t you also want to cite this in the above article?
I’m so frustrated, I was diagnosed with ADD at age 61 and now at age 62 I’m still not satisfied with the medication my doctor has me on. She has put me on every medication on the market for ADD. I’m on Strattera 80 MG’s now. I have been on it for 5 months. I still have trouble with focus, anxiety, memory, and depression. I have had trouble with this all my life but didn’t know until 2009 that I had a serious problem and started asking for test to be done on my brain. That was after a phychiatrist just kept putting me on all kinds of medications. She put me on one that made me see and hear things and that scared me and I told her I was not going to take that medication any more. I then asked to have tests done on my brain. Long story short I have researched everything I can find out about the brain, from you Web site and etc. I ran across my 1st grade and 2nd grade report cards when looking for something else. That is the only 2 report cards my parents kept. I had the same teacher in the 1st and 2nd grade. This is what the teacher wrote on my report card in the 1st grade: Lynn is working hard and shows a desire to read but has difficulty remembering words and gets nervous when she reads. She is beginning to read in a primer but does not know all the pre-primer words by sight. I had the same teacher in the 2nd grade and this is what she said: Lynn continues to read fluently and with comprehension. She attacks new word independently and is able to read silently for many purposes. Dr. Amen I know God wanted me to read those report cards after all these years to let me know I had a problem with focus, memory, and anxiety even in the 1st grade and still have problems with them. I would like to try the Rhodiola Rosea but I’m researching it to see if I should. I take good care of myself health wise and exercise and eat right and have started taking fish oil with my other vitamines. I have even had people to tell me I look like I’m 40 years old. I had 2 different nurses at different offices to question me thinking they had the wrong paper work and patient when they looked at the date of birth. One last thing my mother died with Alzheimers. She had it for 11 years. I got your DVD on Alzheimers and know that doesn’t mean I will get it for sure. I do have ADD systems like your adopted son and ex-wife but not like your youngest daughter, I do have a granddaughter like her though. I know about them from your DVD’s, which are wonderful.
Can you take Rhodila wiht Ginkgo?
This seems like an excellent natural remedy! I will certainly have to try this out for myself.
This seems like a great supplement! I hope to learn more about brain healthy supplements.
Dr Amen, can this possibly help me get off Levothroid?
I was able to stop my med’s for depression, still take balzalsazide for my colitis, and would live to stop the thyroid med!
I’m in a remission for any flares from colitis, and I attribute it to healthier eating and wheat grass!
I believe when I was going through pre menopause when I was incorrectly diagnosed with low thyroid, thus the medicine, and that has been approximately, 10 years!
I was on stage at Saddleback for loosing some weight (still have a long way to go) & going off the med’s!
I hope I can hear back from you soon,
Gratefully,
Paulette Lewis
I do not even understand how I finished up right here, but I thought this put up was good. I do not know who you are however definitely you’re going to a famous blogger in case you are not already. Cheers!
I take RR and it helps me in all the above mentioned ways. Within 45 minutes or so of taking it, I can feel the calming effect which allows me to focus and it lasts for a long time. If I take it first thing in the morning and I’m particularly stressed that day, I sometimes find I need another RR pill in mid afternoon. Most times though, 1 capsule is enough. Having this natural herb is very comforting for me over prescription drugs.
I was looking for rhodiola rosea on your website, but did not come up with anything. Do you have it under some other name? Please let me know where I can get this.
Thanks