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Lately, mental health issues have been more rampant than ever. News about suicide and suicide attempts has almost always been in the news every single day. Depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD are just some of the few mental health issues that have slowly but surely been creeping in on society.
According to the World Health Organisation, there are already 300 million people worldwide suffering from depression at the moment. Mental health issues as well as stress are the root to several health issues. A lot of people in one way or another have been having a hard time coping, and this results to really adverse effects for our health.
We can only imagine the number of people gobbling down Celexa, Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil and other psychiatric medications. However, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the effect these medications have is just mere placebo effect. The patients who were given sugar pills did just as well as those who were given the actual drugs.
Yet, nature yet again has provided an awesome way to potentially battle these mental health issues! Many psychiatrists right now are turning to nature’s very own antidepressant as their first line of treatment, instead of medications – this herb is called Rhodiola Rosea.
Increasing Dopamine Levels
This “Happiness Herb” as usually dubbed, hails from Siberia and Northwestern China. This herb is considered both an adaptogen – meaning it helps the body cope with stress, and also an antidepressant – which basically helps alleviate depression.
It has an amazing effect on the neurotransmitter balance. Studies show that Rhodiola increases the sensitivity of neurons to the “happiness hormones” which includes dopamine. These types of hormones or neurotransmitters are responsible for our feeling of enjoyment, motivation, focus and mood.
Rhodiola against Depression
Users have reported that the effects of rhodiola have indeed manifested, and it was a palpable experience. Taking a preparation of it has genuinely improved their mood, enhanced their energy, reduced sleep and even promoted better sleep.
In a study conducted to test the effectivity of rhodiola, 89 people were randomly given rhodiola and sugar pill daily. The group that received the rhodiola has reported improvements with their overall mood and mental stability, while the other group reported no improvements at all.
Other Benefits of Rhodiola
Aside from helping manage stress and depression, here are a few more noteworthy benefits of Rhodiola:
Improves Brain Function
On a study conducted among 56 physicians who work on night duty, Rhodiola improved mental performance and reduced fatigue by 20%.
Reduces Fatigue
Stress and anxiety among others can be a significant factor for mental tiredness or fatigue but due to Rhodiola's adaptogenic properties, it is our new buddy in reducing fatigue. Studies show that users have better focus and attention, improved concentration, mood and overall quality of life.
With the unfavourable growing rate of mental health related issues that are present in society today, some might just resort to popping a pill in the hopes of feeling more mentally and emotionally stable. With this herb Rhodiola that has consistently been able to prove its worth, there is hope! With the pharmaceutical antidepressants that causes several side effects such as nausea, headache, drowsiness, and worse, taking this herb instead may be a much better option because it does not have such side effects.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/rhodiola-rosea#section2
https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/benefits-of-rhodiola-rosea/
https://www.pharmaca.com/projectwellness/adaptogens-in-focus-rhodiola/
Disclaimer: the information in this article is intended purely as information and not health advice. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent or cure and one should always seek expert advice from their trusted health practitioner.