Saffron is the red spice that turns paella yellow. It's also one of the most expensive spices in the world, because every thread is hand-picked from a small purple flower. Lately it has also been studied for sleep.
Here's a plain-English look at what saffron is, what affron® is, and what the research does and doesn't show.
Where saffron comes from
Saffron comes from the stigma of the Crocus sativus flower: the thin red threads in the middle of each bloom. Each flower has only three, and they're picked by hand. That's why a tiny jar costs so much.
Saffron has been used in cooking and traditional practices for a very long time. Modern research has focused on a few of its natural compounds, such as crocin and safranal.
What is affron®?
affron® is a branded saffron extract made by the Spanish company Pharmactive. "Standardized" means each batch is made to contain a consistent level of saffron's active compounds, so a dose is the same from bottle to bottle.
That consistency is the reason researchers like to use it, and it's why we chose it. Saffron Sleep uses 28mg of affron® per 2-gummy serving.
What the sleep studies found
Study 1 (2020). Australian researchers gave 63 healthy adults with self-reported poor sleep either affron® (14mg twice a day) or a placebo for 28 days. Compared with placebo, the saffron group reported bigger improvements on the Insomnia Severity Index, a restorative sleep questionnaire, and their sleep diary ratings of sleep quality. No adverse effects were reported.1
Study 2 (2021). The same research team gave 120 adults with unsatisfactory sleep either 14mg or 28mg of affron® an hour before bed, or a placebo, for 28 days. Both doses improved sleep quality ratings and mood on waking compared with placebo, and the two doses worked about the same. Saffron also raised evening melatonin levels. Some other sleep measures didn't show a difference.2
What the research doesn't show (yet)
- Both studies were small and lasted 28 days.
- They mostly relied on questionnaires and sleep diaries, not sleep-lab measurements.
- They studied adults with poor sleep, not people diagnosed with insomnia.
The researchers themselves said larger and longer studies are needed. So saffron is promising, but it isn't a cure for sleep problems.
How saffron fits into Saffron Sleep
We kept melatonin low (0.5mg per gummy) and built the formula around ingredients like saffron that are studied for sleep and relaxation:*
- affron® saffron, 28mg
- Suntheanine® L-theanine, 200mg
- PharmaGABA®, 200mg
- Lemon balm extract, 300mg
- Vitamin B6, 4mg
- Melatonin, 1mg per serving
Every dose is printed on the label. Curious why the melatonin is so low? Read: 1mg vs 10mg melatonin.
Is saffron safe?
In the studies above, saffron at these doses was well tolerated. Like any supplement, it isn't for everyone. Saffron Sleep isn't for children or pregnant or nursing women. If you take medication, especially blood thinners or thyroid medication, or have a medical condition, check with your doctor first.
Sources
- Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Metse AP, Drummond PD. Effects of saffron on sleep quality in healthy adults with self-reported poor sleep: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2020;16(6):937-947. doi:10.5664/jcsm.8376
- Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Drummond PD. An investigation into an evening intake of a saffron extract (affron®) on sleep quality, cortisol, and melatonin concentrations in adults with poor sleep: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose study. Sleep Medicine. 2021;86:7-18. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2021.08.001
This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting any supplement.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.