Saffron works as well as prescription antidepressants
Partially trueThe Claim
Saffron extract is often described as a natural alternative that matches SSRIs for treating depression and anxiety.
Origin
A series of small head-to-head trials, mostly from Iran, comparing saffron with fluoxetine and other SSRIs.
What Science Says
Meta-analyses of small RCTs found saffron more effective than placebo for mild-to-moderate depression (g = 0.89) and not significantly different from SSRIs (8 trials, SMD 0.10), with fewer adverse events. However, a 2026 GRADE-assessed meta-analysis of 34 RCTs found improvements on self-reported scales (BDI −4.39) but no significant effect on clinician-rated scales such as HDRS, and the comparison trials are small and geographically concentrated, so equivalence to antidepressants is not firmly established.
Verdict
Partially True
Sources
- PMID:38913392 Effect of Saffron Versus Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Treatment of Depression and Anxiety: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- PMID:30036891 The Efficacy of Saffron in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression: A Meta-analysis.
- PMID:41693488 Effect of saffron on depression, anxiety and mood disorder: a GRADE assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of 34 randomized controlled trials.