Saffron extract experiment results

Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash

Yeah, no fancy title today. This is about the details of my experiment with saffron extract and how it may or may not have helped with my ADHD.

This is particularly interesting in light of the ongoing Adderall shortage.

That is, assuming it works, which…well…was kind of what the whole experiment thing was about.

First, a recap of my experiment.

I was taking one 177 mg capsule every evening. Studies suggested I only needed 30 mg, but that was a little tough to find, so I opted for a larger dose.

My hypothesis was that I would see at least some mitigation of symptoms with regard to executive function, but because studies showed a greater impact on hyperactivity than inattention—which is more of my issue at this time in my life—I didn’t expect miracles.

Now, before I get to the results, I have a confession to make.

One of my first experiments was with a standing desk. I found that it did help me focus significantly and I was cranking out work at a brisk pace.

What I didn’t get into was just how beat up I felt afterward. I just didn’t have it in me to do anything else, which was a bit of an issue, and, in time, I sort of abandoned that change.

The truth is that while it’s great having a lot of focus and running through my work quickly, the half hour or so I save doesn’t do me any good if I’m too wrecked to do anything else.

So, I skipped it and just took the hit on the length of time it took me to finish projects.

No, I wasn’t hiding it from anyone, I just never thought about telling anyone until this time because I didn’t see it as particularly relevant.

Why is it now?

Because with the saffron extract, I seemed to have sufficient focus to complete tasks just as quickly as I did with the standing desk, but I don’t feel as run down.

In fact, I completed some work so fast that I was scared I skipped steps.

I hadn’t.

That’s the good news, that it works.

However, I can’t say that this is akin at all to Ritalin, which the original study argued. Now, granted, it’s been decades since I took an actual ADHD medication, so maybe my memory is a little hazy, but I don’t see this as necessarily being a game-changer in and of itself.

Further, I’m not taking saffron extract in isolation, so it’s likely there’s some sort of stacking effect, where the saffron extract’s benefits are added onto the benefits from the other supplements I’ve been taking.

For me, I don’t actually care. I’m better than I was and any step forward is a win. I doubt I’ll find anything over-the-counter that’ll represent some quantum leap in executive function for me, which is a shame, but it also is what it is.

So, I’m going to chalk this one up as something to continue going forward.