What Is Rhodiola?

Updated 31 July 2023
Thrivous Admin

Have you ever wished for a natural elixir to boost your brainpower and handle life's stressors with ease? Look no further than Rhodiola Rosea. It's a remarkable herb that has captivated researchers and seekers of mental prowess for centuries.

This extraordinary plant thrives in the harshest of environments, in the high altitudes of the northern hemisphere, particularly Europe and Asia. Because of that, some people call it "arctic root." "Golden root" is another common nickname.

Rhodiola isn't your average herbal remedy from traditional medicine. It's a star player in the world of nootropics, the sought-after cognitive enhancers known for sharpening mental acuity and elevating mood.

The magic lies in its adaptogenic prowess, a unique ability to fortify your body against fatigue and to reduce stress. It's like a shield that rejuvenates your mind and body when you're feeling low, and calms the storm when you're overwhelmed.

In this guide, we'll delve deep into the science behind Rhodiola Rosea's power, backed by a treasure trove of human studies -- the gold standard of scientific evidence. We'll also unravel the secrets of salidroside, its active component, which holds the key to its nootropic potency.

The Science of Rhodiola

From battling the blues to boosting your brain's endurance, Rhodiola has earned its place among the most well-studied and effective natural cognitive enhancers. Many studies have shown that Rhodiola may enhance focus and mood, and provide cognitive health benefits. At least nine of them are human studies:

Because it can be difficult to control all variables, scientific studies sometimes report divergent results. One study of Rhodiola Rosea did not demonstrate nootropic effect:

An explanation for this result, in contrast to other studies, may be that rosavin is not the active component of Rhodiola. Another study suggested that Rhodiola active components are salidroside and tyrosine:

In summary, there are at least nine human studies of the nootropic effects of Rhodiola Rosea. Across eleven tests in eight studies, a dosage of at least 1 mg salidroside daily was consistently effective. Across two tests in one study, an unknown dosage of salidroside was not effective. Side effects were not notable.

    Rhodiola Supplements

    When buying Rhodiola Rosea, look for a supplement that provides servings of at least 1 mg salidroside. For example, that may be 100 mg of an extract standardized to at least 1% salidroside.

    Ideally, choose a supplement that provides servings that contain between 3.4 and 6.8 mg salidroside. That may be 340 to 680 mg of an extract standardized to at least 1% salidroside. Or that may be 170 to 340 mg of an extract standardized to at least 2% salidroside. These parameters may provide the greatest potential for nootropic effect.

    Avoid supplements that do not disclose the plant species and salidroside percentage on the label. And look for vendors who provide evidence that they verified the plant species and salidroside percentage.

    Unfortunately, fake and poor quality Rhodiola supplements are common. Many suppliers sell an extract that comes from Rhodiola Crenulata instead of Rhodiola Rosea, lying about the difference to manufacturers. And even when they sell an extract of Rhodiola Rosea, many suppliers lie about the amount of salidroside in the extract.

    Subsequently, many vendors skip tests. They should run an identity test to ensure that the extract comes from Rosea instead of Crenulata. And they should run a potency test to verify the salidroside percentage. But to cut costs, many vendors don’t run identity and potency tests, and make false claims on their labels.

    Consider pairing Rhodiola with other natural nootropics. For example, Bacopa Monnieri may improve memory. L Theanine may facilitate relaxation without sedation. And both Zinc and Omega-3 fatty acids may enhance mood.

    Rhodiola may also go well with natural nootropics that support healthy cognitive aging. They include Acetyl L Carnitine, Alpha GPC, and Ginkgo Biloba.

    Thrivous

    Based on studies like those listed above, Thrivous developed Clarity Daily Nootropic. It’s a dietary supplement for daily use to support brain function and enhance cognitive performance.

    Each serving of Clarity provides a clinical dose of Rhodiola Rosea, to decrease fatigue and to improve focus and mood. Clarity contains a clinical dose of Bacopa Monnieri to enhance memory. Clarity also includes nootropic vitamins and minerals to support healthy brain function.

    All Thrivous supplements pass through rigorous quality control, including identity and potency testing of Rhodiola Rosea. And we publish all test results from suppliers, manufacturing, and third parties directly on our product webpages for your review.

    Clarity Daily Nootropic is available to buy online. Order yours today.

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