Is Rhodiola Rosea a Stimulant?

In our search for natural ways to reduce stress, tiredness, and to find a more balanced energy, one ancient herb, Rhodiola rosea, has recently become very popular in the wellness community.

Known as the golden root and for its strong survival properties thanks to the hard, cold climate where it comes from, this herb has been used for centuries by traditional medicine to help with stamina, fatigue, energy, and balance in our body.

However, what does Rhodiola do? And does it work similarly to stimulants like coffee?

Well, in the next article, we’ll quickly delve into how this herb works, and if Rhodiola rosea is a stimulant. We’ve got a lot to unpack to answer this, so let’s start.

Key Takeaways

• Rhodiola Rosea is an adaptogenic herb that thrives in cold regions, helping our bodies adapt to stress and balance mental and physical health.
• Rhodiola is not a traditional stimulant like caffeine but rather supports energy and stamina through its adaptogenic properties, offering a balanced approach to boosting mood and endurance.
• The recommended daily dosage varies, from 100mg to 600mg, depending on individual needs.
• When taking Rhodiola supplements, starting with a lower dosage in the morning is important to assess tolerance and avoid potential sleep disruption.
• If you plan on taking Rhodiola, it's important that you use supplements that are both versatile and have high-quality ingredients that synergize together, like TUNE IN.

What is Rhodiola Rosea?

Firstly, let’s break down what this adaptogenic ingredient is. Rhodiola rosea, also called the golden root, is a hardy plant that hails from the cold mountainous regions of Europe and Asia.

Its roots are considered adaptogens, which means they can help our bodies adapt to stress when consumed.

Traditional medicine systems have used this root for centuries thanks to its resilience to extreme conditions, helping humans out as a medicine to endure, survive, and thrive.

Adaptogens are a family of herbs, roots, and other elements known for their potential benefit to physical and mental health, especially supporting stress and brain performance.

To be considered adaptogenic, a plant or root must act as a non-toxic when taken, relieve stress, and promote homeostasis in the body.

Rhodiola, in that sense, helps thanks to its different antioxidants, including rosavin, salidroside, and tyrosol. But what are this plant’s specific effects? Let’s delve a little deeper into this.

What Does Rhodiola Rosea Do?

Taking Rhodiola rosea has some potential effects that can benefit your wellness goals. Firstly, this adaptogenic herb can help manage stress, fight fatigue, and boost mental performance.

This study on Rhodiola extract on anxiety, stress, and cognition symptoms found that it could significantly reduce self-reported symptoms associated with depression and anxiety, improving mood and generally helping people feel relaxed.

Rhodiola has also shown promising results in prolonged or chronic fatigue symptoms, helping users with constant tiredness.

In this open-label clinical trial, researchers found that Rhodiola rosea could help manage these symptoms, presenting a significant improvement at week 8.

So overall, thanks to its mechanisms helping balance your body and fighting off oxidative and symptomatic stress, Rhodiola can support or aid different diagnoses and wellness goals.

Is Rhodiola Rosea a Stimulant?

Now, you might wonder, is Rhodiola rosea the equivalent of a morning espresso or other “mood-enhancers”? 

Well, not exactly. While its effects help increase energy and stamina, it’s not a stimulant in the traditional sense like caffeine.

While it does interact with the nervous system, the mechanisms it uses to help restore balance to our body rely on the different antioxidants it has.

While caffeine stimulates the nervous system directly, the adaptogenic powers of rosavin, salidroside, and tyrosol help to protect your body from oxidation and stress.

• Rosavin, a polyphenol, can soothe and destress
• Salidroside can help with inflammation
• Tyrosol has cardioprotective properties that support blood flow and healthy blood vessels and can support endurance and stamina.

Because of these effects, it does not power up energy like caffeine or other drugs, as the change in mood and general stamina happens due to fatigue and general balance mechanisms, all thanks to Rhodiola’s adaptogenic properties.

Recommended Dosage for Energy

Now, figuring out the right amount of Rhodiola rosea to take might sound a little challenging, especially since it depends on the individual’s metabolism, weight, age, and sensitivity to this plant.

That said, there are general rules of thumb for taking this plant, especially if you are looking to get results in the energy department. 

Now, regarding the actual dose, it's always best to start slow. 

• Starting at a 100mg dosage might be a good idea for sensitive users, then slowly increasing it every two weeks by 100mg. 

• The 200-600mg mark should be fine for regular users if getting more energy is your goal. 

• Users experimenting with fatigue might want to start with a 400-600mg dose and increase it as they experiment with the results.

Tips for Taking Rhodiola Supplements

First and foremost, the best tip we can give is to always consult a healthcare professional before starting Rhodiola (or any supplement). This way, you can have a clearer view of Rhodiola and if it can fit your current diet or supplementation regime.

The next thing is that when you introduce Rhodiola to your body, always keep to the saying that “less is more.”

Start with a low dose to see how you get along, and consider taking it in the morning to align with your body’s natural rhythm.

Since Rhodiola is all about balance, you must take it early in the morning as you can benefit from the wave of energy and general effects without interfering with your sleeping cycles.

Some users have reported feeling way too energized to go to bed if they take it mid-afternoon, so you might be better off using it whenever you start your day.

Lastly, Rhodiola is all about consistency, especially if you want long-term energy or are currently fighting inflammation and fatigue. Adjust your dosage as you see fit and wait for at least eight weeks before committing to this herb.

Potential Side Effects and Interactions

Even though Rhodiola is generally considered safe, it is important to remember that everyone’s body reacts differently. Some might experience mild side effects, including jitteriness, dry mouth, or dizziness.

However, these side effects are rare and mostly happen with people sensitive to this root. This can be fixed by changing the dosage, spacing out whenever you take it, or taking your dose at a different hour.

Lastly, certain medications do interact due to how this root’s mechanisms work. If you take prescription drugs for mood disorders, specifically bipolar disorder, it’s a good idea to have a chat with your healthcare provider before adding Rhodiola to the mix.

Other users who have diagnoses like diabetes or other metabolic issues can also have some contraindications, so it is best to always check with a professional before adding any supplement to your diet.

Where to Buy Rhodiola Rosea Online

One of the important things to look out for whenever you buy Rhodiola rosea is to have a supplement that can be versatile and has high-quality ingredients. Products like TUNE IN can provide the Rhodiola rosea needed daily, helping energy, focus, mood, and cognitive functions with other adaptogenic ingredients.

TUNE IN is a powdered drink supplement that can be added to water or juice or used to make a smoothie thanks to its two delicious flavors and formula. 

It also contains other key adaptogenic supplements that can help your wellness goals and synergize with Rhodiola, like lion’s mane, cordyceps, ashwagandha, alpha GPC, and even other vitamins or minerals like B vitamins, and l-tyrosine.

This drink is perfect for most diets as it is vegan, low-calorie, and fully caffeine-free, making it a great match for people looking to avoid caffeine and other products. 

Final Thoughts

Rhodiola Rosea works as part of traditional medicine systems in Europe and Asia and as a balanced, scientifically-backed herb that can help with different properties.

Its potential effects include fighting stress and fatigue. The best dosage for this herb comes down to your metabolism and wellness needs. Clinical studies advise expecting fatigue and anti-inflammatory effects from taking this herb for at least eight weeks.

Now, answering the initial question, “Is Rhodiola rosea a stimulant?” While it does interact with the nervous system, most of its energy properties come from its key antioxidant effects on our body and general mood balance rather than stimulating the chemical that alerts your body like other stimulants such as caffeine.

So, if you were looking for a supplement that does not make you feel like it has an energy crash after a while, like caffeine, Rhodiola can be a pretty strong choice for your wellness goals.

FAQs

Does Rhodiola Rosea Keep You Awake?

Rhodiola rosea can improve alertness and reduce fatigue, making it easier to stay awake during the day. However, it does not typically disrupt sleep when taken in the recommended morning dosage.

Does Rhodiola Give You Energy?

Yes, Rhodiola rosea is known to boost energy levels by enhancing your body’s ability to manage stress and fatigue, providing a natural increase in stamina and endurance.

Does Rhodiola Make You Jittery?

While Rhodiola rosea generally supports balanced energy levels, some individuals may experience mild jitteriness as a side effect, especially if sensitive to adaptogenic supplements.