Nootropics Depot Saffron Review
Nootropics Depot’s saffron supplement, Safralis, is a reasonable choice if you want saffron at the 30 mg daily dose used in many mood trials. It is whole Kashmir saffron stigma standardized to 8% crocins and 3% safranals, sold as 15 mg or 30 mg capsules. The catch is that it’s not the same material as affron, the most-studied branded saffron extract, so the trial results don’t transfer to it one for one.
This is a research-based review. We did not personally test Safralis; we compared ND’s label claims (checked on nootropicsdepot.com) with published human trials.
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Key Takeaways
- Safralis is whole Kashmir saffron stigma, not an extract, standardized to 8% crocins and 3% safranals, in 15 mg or 30 mg capsules.
- A meta-analysis of 23 studies found large improvements in depressive and anxiety symptoms with saffron versus placebo, but also evidence of publication bias.[1]
- affron trials consistently used 28 mg a day (14 mg twice daily); other trials used 30 mg of saffron a day.[2][7]
- One 30 mg Safralis capsule, or two 15 mg capsules, lands on that studied dose range.
- At therapeutic doses, saffron has shown no significant toxicity in clinical and experimental studies.[8] If you take an antidepressant, involve your prescriber.
Nootropics Depot Safralis Saffron
High-potency Kashmir saffron stigma standardized to 8% crocins and 3% safranals, available as 15 mg or 30 mg capsules. A good match for the 28–30 mg daily doses used in mood trials.
What Is Nootropics Depot Safralis?
Safralis is ND’s saffron product. According to its product page, it is high-potency Kashmir saffron (Crocus sativus stigma) standardized to 8% crocins and 3% safranals. ND says that rather than relying on an extract, it uses whole, selectively bred Kashmiri saffron stigmas that naturally carry high levels of safranal, picrocrocin, HTCC and crocins.
| Detail | Nootropics Depot Safralis |
|---|---|
| Product name | Safralis High Potency Kashmir Saffron |
| Material | Whole Kashmir saffron stigma (not an extract) |
| Standardization | 8% crocins, 3% safranals |
| Dose options | 15 mg or 30 mg per capsule |
| Suggested use (ND) | One capsule |
| Bottle sizes | 60 or 180 capsules |
| Price | Listed from $34.99 at the time of writing; varies by dose and size |
| Testing | ND publishes COAs for its products (see our main ND review) |
Crocins give saffron its red color, and safranal gives it its aroma. They are the compounds most often used to standardize saffron supplements, which helps with consistency from batch to batch. For a deeper look at the herb itself, see our saffron ingredient guide.
What The Research Says About Saffron
Mood And Anxiety
The strongest evidence for saffron is in mood. A 2019 meta-analysis in Nutrition Reviews pooled 23 studies and found saffron had a large effect compared with placebo on depressive symptoms (g = 0.99) and anxiety symptoms (g = 0.95), and a large effect as an add-on to antidepressants. The authors also found evidence of publication bias and called for more trials outside the regions where most were run.[1] We rate the evidence for mild low mood as Moderate: consistent, but built from many small trials.
The Affron Trials (28 Mg A Day)
affron is the most-studied branded saffron extract, and its trials have used the same dose almost every time:
- Healthy adults with low mood: 128 participants took 28 mg, 22 mg or placebo for four weeks. The 28 mg dose reduced negative mood and stress and anxiety symptoms compared with placebo.[2]
- Teens with mild to moderate anxiety or depression: 14 mg twice daily for eight weeks improved youth-reported symptoms more than placebo (a 33% versus 17% drop in total scores), though parent-reported results were less consistent.[3]
- Adults on antidepressants: 14 mg twice daily for eight weeks reduced clinician-rated depression scores by 41% versus 21% with placebo, but self-rated scores improved about equally in both groups.[4]
Sleep
In 63 healthy adults with self-reported poor sleep, affron at 14 mg twice daily for 28 days improved insomnia severity, restorative sleep and sleep-diary quality ratings more than placebo, with no reported adverse effects.[5] A different extract, taken at 15.5 mg a day for six weeks, increased time in bed on actigraphy and made it easier to fall asleep.[6] We rate sleep evidence as Limited to Moderate.
Trials Using 30 Mg Of Saffron
Several non-affron trials used 30 mg a day, split into 15 mg twice daily. In one 12-week trial of 73 overweight women with mild to moderate depression, 30 mg a day of Crocus sativus capsules reduced depression scores significantly more than placebo.[7] This is the dose range Safralis is built around.
Cognition
Saffron is sometimes marketed as a nootropic, but the human evidence for memory or focus in healthy people is thin. Its main use case is mood and, secondarily, sleep. If memory is your goal, our best supplements for memory guide covers better-studied options.
How Safralis Compares With Affron And Other Saffron Supplements
| Product Type | What It Is | Studied Daily Dose | How Safralis Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| affron | Branded saffron stigma extract | 28 mg (14 mg twice daily)[2] | Similar milligrams, but a different material; affron’s results don’t automatically apply |
| Generic “saffron” in trials | Saffron preparations, often 15 mg twice daily | 30 mg[7] | One 30 mg or two 15 mg capsules |
| Other branded extract (sleep) | Standardized saffron extract | 15.5 mg[6] | One 15 mg capsule is close |
Our take: Safralis gives you clearly labeled, standardized saffron at the doses the research used. What it doesn’t have is its own published human trial. If you specifically want the product used in the most trials, an affron-based supplement is the closer match. If you want high-quality saffron with batch testing at a studied dose, Safralis is a solid pick.
Cost Per Daily Dose
At the starting list price of $34.99 for a 60-capsule bottle (at the time of writing), one capsule a day costs roughly $0.58. Prices differ between the 15 mg and 30 mg versions and the 180-count bottle, so check the current listing. Most mood trials ran for 4 to 12 weeks, so budget for at least one full bottle before judging whether it helps.
Safralis At A Studied Dose
Pick the 30 mg capsule for once-daily dosing in the 28–30 mg range, or the 15 mg capsule to take twice daily as most trials did.
What To Check Before Buying Any Saffron Supplement
Whether you choose Safralis or another brand, a few checks separate a useful saffron supplement from an expensive guess:
- A stated dose in milligrams. Trials used 15 to 30 mg a day. Products that hide saffron in a proprietary blend make it impossible to know whether you’re near that range.
- Standardization. A labeled crocin and safranal content (Safralis lists 8% and 3%) tells you the product contains measurable saffron compounds, not just a red powder.
- Plant part. Look for stigma (the red threads). Saffron petals and other parts of the flower are different materials.
- Batch testing. A certificate of analysis that matches your lot number is the best protection against mislabeled product.
- A realistic price. Saffron is one of the most expensive spices by weight. A supplement that is dramatically cheaper than competitors at the same dose deserves extra scrutiny.
Safralis passes each of these checks on paper. Its only real gap is the lack of a published trial on this specific product.
Who Nootropics Depot Saffron Suits, And Who Should Skip It
It suits adults with mild, everyday low mood or stress-related sleep trouble who want a single-ingredient product at a studied dose and a once-daily capsule.
Skip it or talk to a doctor first if you have been diagnosed with depression or another mental health condition (saffron is not a substitute for treatment), if you take antidepressants or other psychiatric medication (the add-on trial was done under medical supervision), or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Teens should use it only with a doctor’s input, even though one trial included 12- to 16-year-olds.[3]
Side Effects And Safety
A toxicology review concluded that therapeutic doses of saffron showed no significant toxicity in clinical and experimental studies.[8] In the trials above, saffron was well tolerated, and the sleep trial reported no adverse effects.[5] Supplement doses (15 to 30 mg) are small, so don’t exceed the label; taking more is not shown to work better. See our nootropic side effects guide for general precautions.
How It Pairs With Other Supplements
Saffron is sometimes combined with L-theanine for calm or with magnesium glycinate for sleep. These combinations haven’t been tested together in trials, so add one thing at a time. If stress is the bigger issue, compare with our Nootropics Depot ashwagandha review, and see our nootropic stacks guide before combining.
Where To Buy Nootropics Depot Saffron
Safralis is sold direct at nootropicsdepot.com, where purchases earn rewards points (see our Nootropics Depot coupon guide), and through ND’s authorized Amazon store. On Amazon, buy only from listings marked “Sold by Nootropics Depot,” and check that the dose (15 mg or 30 mg) is the one you want.
Buy Nootropics Depot Safralis
Kashmir saffron stigma, 8% crocins and 3% safranals, in 15 mg or 30 mg capsules with published batch testing.
Nootropics Depot Saffron FAQs
Is Nootropics Depot Saffron An Extract?
No. ND says Safralis uses whole, selectively bred Kashmiri saffron stigmas rather than an extract, standardized to 8% crocins and 3% safranals.
Should I Take 15 Mg Or 30 Mg Of Saffron?
Most mood trials used 28 to 30 mg a day, usually split into two doses. Two 15 mg capsules mirror that schedule; one 30 mg capsule is simpler. One sleep trial used 15.5 mg a day.
Is Safralis Better Than Affron?
There’s no head-to-head trial. affron has more direct research; Safralis is a different, whole-stigma product at a similar dose. “Better” can’t be claimed either way.
How Long Does Saffron Take To Work?
Trials measured effects after 4 to 12 weeks. Give it at least four weeks at a consistent dose before deciding.
What Is The Best Time To Take Saffron?
Most trials split the daily dose into two doses (twice daily) rather than specifying a time of day. Consistency matters more than timing; if you take it mainly for sleep, one study found benefits with a dose taken daily for six weeks, so pick a time you will stick with.[6]
Can I Take Saffron With An SSRI?
One trial added saffron to antidepressants under medical supervision.[4] Don’t combine them on your own; ask your prescriber first.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Dietary supplements are not evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, take prescription medication or have a medical condition. Read our full medical disclaimer.
References
- Marx W, et al. Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Rev. 2019;77(8):557-571. PubMed
- Kell G, et al. affron a novel saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks in a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Med. 2017;33:58-64. PubMed
- Lopresti AL, et al. affron, a standardised extract from saffron (Crocus sativus L.) for the treatment of youth anxiety and depressive symptoms: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Affect Disord. 2018;232:349-357. PubMed
- Lopresti AL, et al. Efficacy of a standardised saffron extract (affron) as an add-on to antidepressant medication for the treatment of persistent depressive symptoms in adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Psychopharmacol. 2019;33(11):1415-1427. PubMed
- Lopresti AL, et al. Effects of saffron on sleep quality in healthy adults with self-reported poor sleep: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020;16(6):937-947. PubMed
- Pachikian BD, et al. Effects of saffron extract on sleep quality: a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1473. PubMed
- Akhondzadeh S, et al. A placebo controlled randomized clinical trial of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) on depression and food craving among overweight women with mild to moderate depression. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2020;45(1):134-143. PubMed
- Bostan HB, et al. Toxicology effects of saffron and its constituents: a review. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2017;20(2):110-121. PubMed
