Let me introduce you to an amazing phytomedicine—Rhodiola Rosea.
Rhodiola is one of the ingredients in our Happy Calm. It is a very well-researched and incredible herb. It is known as an adaptogen, and I am very fond of phytomedicines, which are adaptogens. What this means is it has the ability to regulate rather than stimulate. Conventional medicines are usually unidirectional. HRT, for example, replaces hormones, and the effect of HRT is very much dose-dependent.
When dealing with endocrine imbalances i.e., hormonal, adrenal, thyroid, ovaries, etc. it is impossible to create a balance using unidirectional medicines because the endocrine system is in a constant state of flux. Also, endocrine glands are interactive. Stimulate one gland, and another will be suppressed.
Hence I love adaptogens because they signal to the endocrine system to balance rather than be stimulated or suppressed and vice versa.
Happy Calm has been developed on this principle, rather than being a sedative with which most supplements for anxiety, sleep and stress are designed.
Proven Benefits of Rhodiola
Stress
One study investigated the effects of rhodiola extract in 101 people with life- and work-related stress. Participants were given 400 mg per day for four weeks.
It found significant improvements in symptoms of stress, such as fatigue, exhaustion, and anxiety, after just three days. These improvements continued throughout the study.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22228617
Improved Brain Function
In one study, students experienced significantly reduced mental fatigue, improved sleep patterns, and increased motivation to study after taking rhodiola supplements for 20 days. Their exam scores were also 8% higher than those in the placebo group
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10839209
Depression
In one six-week study on the effectiveness of rhodiola on symptoms of depression, 89 people with mild or moderate depression were randomly assigned to receive either 340 mg or 680 mg of rhodiola or a placebo pill daily
Both rhodiola groups experienced significant improvements in overall depression, insomnia and emotional stability, whereas the placebo group showed no improvements.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17990195
Fatigue
In a study, 100 people with chronic fatigue symptoms received 400 mg of rhodiola every day for eight weeks. They experienced significant improvements in stress symptoms, fatigue, quality of life, mood and concentration.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28219059
Exercise Performance
A study looked at its effects on endurance exercise performance.
Participants cycled for a six-mile simulated time-trial race. One hour before the race, participants were given rhodiola at a dose of 1.4 mg per pound (3 mg per kg) of body weight or a placebo pill.
Those given Rhodiola finished the race significantly faster than the placebo group.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23443221
Anxiety
In a study, relative to the controls, the experimental group demonstrated a significant reduction in self-reported, anxiety, stress, anger, confusion and depression at 14 days and a significant improvement in total mood.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26502953
