How Long Does Rhodiola Rosea Take to Work?

Rhodiola rosea is a herb that has been used in natural medicine for thousands of years. This is a special kind of plant that is found in cold and mountainous regions of North America, Asia, and Europe. It is often regarded as being one of the best adaptogens in the world, which means that it has the potential to help the human body deal with stress.

Indeed, Rhodiola rosea has the potential to provide the human body and mind with a plethora of benefits. It has been used in traditional medicine to help the body resist mental, physical, and environmental stressors.

In the current day and age, Rhodiola rosea has become a very popular supplement, one that is often included in a variety of adaptogenic and dietary supplements. Keep reading to find out what the benefits of Rhodiola rosea are, how long it takes to work, what factors might affect how long it takes to work, and if it's safe for everyone to take.

Key Takeaways

• Rhodiola rosea is a herb native to various cold and mountainous regions of the world. It has been used for hundreds or even thousands of years in traditional medicine.
• The effects of Rhodiola rosea can be felt 30 minutes after consumption. However, this varies depending on the dosage, consumption method, and metabolism. For some, it can take weeks to feel the benefits. 
• Rhodiola rosea has both mental and physical health benefits for you to read, all of which will be discussed further below.

Rhodiola Rosea Uncovered: What is it?

As mentioned above, Rhodiola rosea is a herb or plant that is found in many cold regions of the earth, particularly in the mountains of Asia, Europe, and North America. Although it's quite a nice-looking flower, it's actually the root of the plant that is used for its potential medicinal properties.

This root has been used in traditional medicine of many cultures worldwide for hundreds of years, often in an attempt to combat fatigue, cognitive decline, stress, anxiety, and more. It may also have benefits in terms of physical performance.

One of the most active biocompounds found in Rhodiola rosea extract is salidroside, roughly 1% of it. This substance is thought to have potential in terms of fighting inflammation and oxidative stress while also helping to regulate neural regeneration, neurotransmission, the HPA axis, and the cholinergic system.

There are also four other active compounds in Rhodiola rosea: tyrosol, rosarin, rosavin, and rosin. These all have a variety of purported benefits, most of which come down to fighting fatigue, cognitive decline, physical performance issues, and more. 

For instance, tyrosol is shown to have fantastic cardiovascular benefits, among many others.

Thanks to a plethora of scientific evidence that can be presented in favor of the benefits of all five of the active compounds found in Rhodiola rosea, this herb or adaptogenic substance is now becoming widely accepted in the greater health community. 

Even trained medical professionals appear to be coming around to the possible benefits of this simple yet effective plant.

The Science Behind Rhodiola Rosea's Health Benefits

Although it might just be a simple plant, there is actually a plethora of purported benefits that Rhodiola rosea has, so let's take a quick look at each of them.

Stress Relief

Rhodiola rosea is often regarded as an adaptogen, which is something that is supposed to be able to help increase your resistance to stress in a number of nonspecific ways. 

One particular study showed that taking 400 milligrams of Rhodiola rosea every day for 12 weeks helped participants who were suffering from stress-related burnout to improve their overall mental state, specifically related to depression and stress.

Fighting Fatigue

Anxiety and stress can both contribute to inadequate sleep, both things which Rhodiola rosea can help with, as evidenced by the study above. However, there are also other indications.

This study showed that taking 400 milligrams of Rhodiola rosea every day for a total of eight weeks helped to improve symptoms related to fatigue, quality of life, mood, concentration, and stress. This study was performed on a total of 100 people.

Helps Combat Depression with Fewer Side Effects than Antidepressants

Rhodiola rosea appears to be very beneficial for the human mind. For instance, it is also thought to be able to help with depression, almost as well as regular antidepressants. 

Here is a study that compared a clinical and man-made antidepressant with Rhodiola, with the purpose of seeing which one performed better in terms of depression relief.

Although the clinical antidepressant did perform slightly better than the Rhodiola rosea supplement, it was shown that depression levels in those taking Rhodiola rosea still decreased drastically, not to mention that there were far fewer side effects than with the clinical medication.

Aiding in Cognitive Function

One of the biggest potential benefits of Rhodiola rosea, which is why so many people take it, is because it can help to potentially improve memory function and learning. 

This study suggests that taking Rhodiola rosea may have benefits in terms of age-related diseases, particularly neurological decline. Here is another study that suggests that Rhodiola rosea could be a great tool to help increase cognition and counteract mood disorders in people. 

Here is a review of nearly 40 animal studies that concluded that Rhodiola rosea could help improve memory and learning.

Improved Exercise Performance

Rhodiola rosea, although the results are a bit mixed, there are research studies that suggest that it may be able to help improve muscle strength and performance when taken on a regular basis.

There's another study that suggests that it has a positive effect on reaction times. There are also studies that indicate that people have a lower perceived exertion level when working out when taking a Rhodiola rosea supplement.

How Does Rhodiola Rosea Work in the Body?

It is believed that Rhodiola rosea possesses all of the benefits for the human body that it does thanks to its effect on the central nervous system.

It is thought that the HPA axis, or hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical axis, is positively impacted by Rhodiola rosea. All five of those main bio compounds contained in Rhodiola rosea exert their own potential benefits on the human mind and body by interacting with the brain and more.

How Long Does Rhodiola Rosea Take to Work?

Although there is still more research required on this front, it is believed that Rhodiola rosea can start showing its benefits in as little as 30 minutes after consuming it. 

Let’s take a look at a few detailed studies in relation to this.

• One particular study where participants took 400 milligrams of Rhodiola extract for four weeks on a daily basis with the purpose of decreasing stress-related symptoms showed improvements after just three days. In general, this study indicates that the substance can take effect in as little as three to seven days.
• In a study where participants were given up to 400 milligrams of Rhodiola every day for eight weeks with the purpose of combating fatigue, results were seen in as little as one week after consumption.
• In a study where participants were given Rhodiola with the aim of decreasing depressive symptoms, it was shown that with the right dosage and with regular use, it may take up to a few weeks to see full effects.
• As far as physical performance goes, however, the effects appear to be much faster. According to this study, it appears as though the physical benefits of Rhodiola extract can be seen within just a couple of hours after taking it.

Maximizing the Benefits: Optimal Dosage and Usage Tips

Because Rhodiola is something that needs to be taken on a regular basis, it is recommended to work it into a routine so you don't forget. Furthermore, it's also recommended that it be taken about 15 minutes before a meal so that it's much better absorbed.

You really don't want to take it on an empty stomach. To reap the maximum benefits, the official recommendation is to take 200 milligrams twice daily, with the safest maximum dose of Rhodiola rosea extract being up to 600 milligrams per day.

If you want to combine it with some other supplements for the maximum possible benefits, we recommend taking it with TUNE IN, a state-of-the-art supplement designed to help improve energy levels, cognition, and mental state.

Real Experiences: User Testimonials and Case Studies

Just to see how beneficial Rhodiola really is, let’s take a quick look at some of the things that other people have to say about it.

 An anonymous reviewer said “My Dr. suggested that I try Rhodiola. So far I've only taken for a few days but I feel different. First great benefit, I had several good nights sleep. I don't feel as irritable and fatigued. Before taking it I felt edgy and mentally fatigued. I seemed to have lost my patience for mundane questions. I was snappy. Now I feel more energy and an overall happiness. I push my body quite a bit ,this seems to help me with mental acuity. Overall pretty pleased. I plan to see if I continue with similar effects over a longer period of time.”

Tee says, “After taking 150mg daily antidepressants for 28 years I very slowly very cautiously started withdrawing my dose. I started taking RR alongside the reduced dose and am delighted to report I’m completely antidepressant free. I can’t recommend RR enough, it’s been a complete game changer and I have had a very smooth transition throughout the withdrawal process. I can’t believe just how much better I feel. Chronic constipation I had most of my life has disappeared and I’m no longer sailing through life like a drugged up passenger. A very easy 5 stars.”

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for a supplement that can help potentially combat fatigue, improve your cognitive abilities, and even your physical performance, then Rhodiola rosea extract is something worth checking out. 

Remember to keep your daily intake between 200 and 600 mg and expect to feel the effects after a few days. 

Of course, if you want to take Rhodiola along with a variety of other potentially beneficial substances, our TUNE IN supplement is always recommended.

How Long Does Rhodiola Rosea Take to Work: Frequently Asked Questions

Can Rhodiola Rosea Interact with Medications or Other Supplements?

Yes, it may interact with some medications, particularly anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, and blood thinners. It is always recommended to consult the health care practitioner before taking any new supplement.

Are There Any Side Effects Associated with Rhodiola Rosea?

Some people may experience agitation, anxiety, and insomnia, as well as an occasional headache and general irritability when taking Rhodiola rosea.

What are the Signs That Rhodiola Rosea is Working?

If you notice that you have more energy, your cognitive abilities are functioning better, and you have better physical performance, then chances are that the Rhodiola rosea is working.

Can I Take Rhodiola Rosea Every Day, or Should it Be Cycled?

According to the study, as cited above, it should be safe to take Rhodiola rosea every single day, up to 600 milligrams.

How Does Rhodiola Rosea Affect Sleep?

What is interesting to note is that Rhodiola rosea is said to help combat fatigue while also simultaneously helping you sleep better at night.