Saffron study confirms extract as powerful ADHD therapy

Attention Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders in children and adolescents. Although the pathophysiology of this disorder has not been fully elucidated, evidence suggests that it is caused by dysfunction of the monoaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmitter systems.

The first line of treatment for ADHD is stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin). However, approximately 30% of patients do not respond to treatment or cannot tolerate its side effects. Today, dry saffron stigmas have been proposed as a safe and effective treatment option for ADHD. Saffron has anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects, and in clinical studies, it has shown neuroprotective properties, enhancing learning and memory, and modulating monoaminergic and glutamatergic systems.

In a clinical study, 54 boys and girls with ADHD between 6 and 17 years of age were randomly assigned to receive 20-30 mg of saffron per day depending on body weight (20 mg per day for <30 kg and 30 mg per day for >30 kg). kg) or increased doses of Ritalin for six weeks, were divided into two groups.

Changes in ADHD-RS-IV scores showed that both the saffron and Ritalin groups experienced significant improvements in hyperactivity and inattention at three weeks, and these benefits were maintained through the sixth week of the study. The results of this study showed that the consumption of 20-30 mg of saffron per day for six weeks has the same effect as Ritalin for the treatment of ADHD