--- title: "affron a novel saffron extract improves mood in healthy adults…" description: "A daily dose of 28mg of affron, a saffron extract, improved mood and reduced stress and anxiety in healthy adults with low mood." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d28735826.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d28735826.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d28735826.html" type: "study" study_key: "d28735826" journal: "Complement Ther Med" year: 2017 pmid: "28735826" doi: "10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.001" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # affron a novel saffron extract improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › affron a novel saffron extract improves mood in healthy… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d28735826.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d28735826 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Complement Ther Med | | Year | 2017 | | PMID | [28735826](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28735826/) | | DOI | [10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.001](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.001) | | Study key | d28735826 | ## Takeaway A daily dose of 28mg of affron, a saffron extract, improved mood and reduced stress and anxiety in healthy adults with low mood. ## The question Can a saffron extract (affron) improve mood, stress, anxiety, and sleep quality in healthy adults with self-reported low mood? ## Hypothesis Saffron extract (affron) will improve mood, stress, anxiety, and sleep quality in healthy adults. ## Methods This was a 4-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 128 healthy adults who self-reported low mood. Participants were assigned to receive either 28mg/day of affron, 22mg/day of affron, or a placebo. Mood was assessed using POMS and PANAS questionnaires, DASS-21 scale, and sleep quality was monitored using the PSQI. ## Results The 28mg/day dose of affron significantly decreased negative mood and symptoms related to stress and anxiety, showing a significant difference compared to placebo on the POMS Total Mood Disturbance scale. The 22mg/day dose did not show a treatment effect. ## Conclusion A 28mg/day dose of affron can increase mood and reduce anxiety and stress in healthy adults with self-reported low mood, without reported side effects. ## Limitations The main limitations of this study were the self-reporting nature of both the screening process for participants and the outcome measures. ## Verbatim from the abstract > saffron increased mood, reduced anxiety and managed stress without side effects ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Saffron Extract | Moderate evidence | [Saffron Extract](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/119.md) | ## Reference 1. **affron a novel saffron extract improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks** Complement Ther Med 2017 · [PMID 28735826](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28735826/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.001](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.001) > saffron increased mood, reduced anxiety and managed stress without side effects ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d28735826.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d28735826.html","name":"affron a novel saffron extract improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks","description":"A daily dose of 28mg of affron, a saffron extract, improved mood and reduced stress and anxiety in healthy adults with low mood.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d28735826.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"affron a novel saffron extract improves mood in healthy…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d28735826.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d28735826.html#study","name":"affron a novel saffron extract improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks","headline":"affron a novel saffron extract improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks","datePublished":"2017","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Complement Ther Med"},"identifier":"PMID:28735826","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28735826/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.001","abstract":"A daily dose of 28mg of affron, a saffron extract, improved mood and reduced stress and anxiety in healthy adults with low mood."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Saffron Extract](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/119.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Evidence: improves sleep latency, duration](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s119.md) - [Effect of Saffron Versus SSRIs in Treatment of Depression and Anxiety: A Meta-analysis…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38913392.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).