Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Rhodiola, particularly Rhodiola rosea, has a long history of traditional use in Russian and Scandinavian medicine as an adaptogen to help the body resist stress and fatigue. In recent decades, scientific research has explored its effects on mood and psychological well-being. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses suggest that Rhodiola extracts may have beneficial effects on symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety, and stress-related fatigue. These mood-modulating effects are thought to arise from Rhodiola’s influence on neurotransmitter balance (such as serotonin and dopamine), the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and its antioxidant properties.

However, specific evidence for Rhodiola’s efficacy in treating or supporting mood swings—distinct from depression or generalized anxiety—is limited and largely extrapolated from broader mood-related studies. Most available clinical research focuses on depressive symptoms, overall mood improvement, or stress adaptation, rather than on the rapid or cyclical mood changes characteristic of mood swings (such as those seen in bipolar disorder). As such, while there is some scientific support for Rhodiola’s positive effects on mood, the evidence directly relevant to mood swings is relatively weak and indirect. The ingredient should not be considered a primary or evidence-based treatment for clinically significant mood instability.

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