Saffron (Crocus sativus) has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to enhance mood, ease tension, and support restful sleep. [1] Now, modern science is validating what ancient cultures long believed: saffron contains powerful bioactive compounds that can influence brain chemistry in a meaningful way. [2][3] At the forefront of this research is Affron®, a standardized saffron extract produced from Spanish saffron flowers and concentrated for its mood - and sleep-supporting components - specifically crocin and safranal.
Affron® is unique because it’s one of the only saffron extracts clinically tested in both adults and adolescents for its effects on emotional well-being, occasional anxiety, and sleep quality. Unlike synthetic sleep aids or harsh sedatives, Affron® works by modulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, helping the body wind down without drowsiness or grogginess the next day. [2] What sets Affron® apart from other natural extracts is its consistent quality, fast-acting benefits, and strong safety profile. It's standardized to contain 3.5% Lepticrosalides®, the active compounds responsible for its effects on mood and cognition, ensuring that every dose delivers clinically relevant results.
Affron® for Sleep Quality
Affron® has emerged as one of the most well-studied saffron extracts for improving sleep, with several randomized controlled trials and a 2022 meta-analysis supporting its effectiveness. Clinical research consistently shows that supplementation with standardized saffron extract - such as Affron® - can enhance multiple aspects of sleep, including ease of falling asleep, total sleep duration, and overall sleep quality, especially in inpiduals with mild to moderate sleep disturbances.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in the Journal of Nutrients, adults with mild sleep disorders and associated anxiety took 15.5 mg of a standardized saffron extract daily for six weeks. [4] Results showed significant improvements in both objective sleep parameters (such as time in bed, measured by actigraphy) and subjective ratings, including ease of falling asleep, perceived sleep quality, and reduced sleep latency. Participants also reported improved daytime functioning and emotional well-being, with no side effects.
A separate meta-analysis published in the Journal of Sleep Medicine pooled data from eight randomized controlled trials and confirmed that saffron supplementation significantly improved key clinical sleep scores compared to placebo. [5] These included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, a widely used questionnaire that evaluates sleep quality over the past month; lower scores indicate better sleep. Participants also improved on the Insomnia Severity Index, which assesses the nature, severity, and impact of insomnia; again, lower scores reflect reduced insomnia symptoms. Finally, saffron users reported better outcomes on the Restorative Sleep Questionnaire, which measures how refreshed and restored a person feels upon waking. Together, these tools provide a comprehensive picture of both the quantity and quality of sleep.
While higher doses of saffron extract (up to 100 mg/day) showed robust effects, lower, well-tolerated doses of Affron® - typically 14 to 28 mg per day - have also proven effective in improving sleep without sedation or grogginess the next day. These findings suggest that Affron® may serve as a safe and natural alternative to conventional sleep aids, promoting deeper, more restorative sleep with a lower risk of side effects.
Affron® for Mood Enhancement
Affron® has also garnered growing attention for its mood-enhancing effects, with multiple clinical trials demonstrating its ability to support emotional well-being in otherwise healthy adults experiencing subclinical symptoms such as low mood, stress, and anxiety. In a 2017 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 128 participants, researchers evaluated the effects of two doses of Affron® (22 mg and 28 mg daily) over four weeks. [6] Participants who received the 28 mg dose showed statistically significant reductions in negative mood states - including depression, tension, confusion, and fatigue - as measured by two validated psychological tools: the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). The POMS questionnaire assesses six distinct mood domains (tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue, and confusion), with higher scores indicating worse mood states - except for vigor, where a higher score reflects more mental energy and well-being. In this study, reductions in negative subscale scores and an increase in vigor suggested that Affron® helped promote a more balanced and resilient emotional state. Similarly, the DASS-21 measures three key areas of psychological distress - depression, anxiety, and stress - with lower scores indicating fewer symptoms. Participants taking Affron® showed meaningful reductions in these scores, particularly in the depression subscale. These benefits were observed without adverse effects, underscoring Affron®’s strong safety profile even at its most effective 28 mg dose.
A larger trial published in The Journal of Nutrition in 2025, further validated these findings. [2] This 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled 202 adults aged 18 to 70 years who reported subclinical depressive symptoms. Participants who supplemented with 28 mg of Affron® daily experienced significantly greater improvements in depressive symptoms compared to placebo, with over 72% achieving a clinically meaningful reduction in depression scores. While improvements in anxiety and stress scores were also noted, the most consistent benefit was observed in mood-related measures. Additionally, exploratory analyses suggested that participants with more severe sleep disturbances experienced notable improvements in sleep quality, reinforcing earlier findings that saffron may influence sleep-related parameters.
A third study, published in Frontiers in Nutrition in 2021, explored both the chronic and acute effects of saffron supplementation on mood and stress resilience in a healthy adult population. [7] Over eight weeks, participants receiving 30 mg/day of saffron extract showed reductions in subjective depressive symptoms and improvements in social well-being. Acute administration of saffron prior to a lab-based psychosocial stressor also attenuated stress-induced reductions in heart rate variability - a physiological marker of autonomic nervous system balance - indicating that saffron may help modulate the body’s response to acute stress.
Together, these studies provide evidence that Affron® - a standardized saffron extract - can play a meaningful role in promoting emotional balance, reducing subclinical depressive symptoms, and improving resilience to psychological stress. Its favorable safety profile, even at clinically effective doses, makes it an appealing natural alternative or complement to traditional approaches for mood support.
Mechanisms of Action
Affron® helps improve mood and sleep by working through several key pathways in the body:
- Boosts Brain Chemicals: The active ingredients in Affron® help increase levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine - important brain chemicals that help regulate mood and emotional balance. It does this by preventing them from being broken down too quickly, so they stay active in the brain longer.
- Fights Oxidative Stress: Affron® has antioxidant properties, meaning it helps protect brain cells from damage caused by stress and free radicals. This can support better mental clarity and emotional well-being.
- Supports Sleep Hormones: Some evidence suggests that Affron® may help regulate melatonin, the hormone that controls your sleep-wake cycle. This may make it easier to fall asleep and improve overall sleep quality.
How to Use Affron®
Clinical studies have utilized daily doses ranging from 14 mg to 28 mg of Affron®, with both dosages showing efficacy in improving sleep and mood parameters. For sleep support, taking Affron® approximately one hour before bedtime is recommended. [8] For mood enhancement, consistent daily intake at the same time each day may be beneficial. [9]
Outwork Nutrition’s Sleep supplement incorporates Affron® at a clinically studied dose (28 mg), combined with other evidence-based ingredients to support restful sleep and recovery.
Affron® Benefits Summary
- Improves Sleep Quality: Enhances sleep onset, duration, and overall restfulness—without next-day grogginess.
- Supports Mood & Emotional Well-Being: Reduces symptoms of stress, anxiety, and low mood while boosting mental resilience.
- Safe & Non-Habit Forming: Well-tolerated with no dependency risk, even at clinically effective doses.
- Clinically Backed: Proven effective in multiple human trials with standardized, consistent dosing.
References
1. Javadi, Behjat et al. “A survey on saffron in major islamic traditional medicine books.” Iranian journal of basic medical sciences vol. 16,1 (2013): 1-11.
2. Lopresti, Adrian L et al. “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 vol. 86 (2021): 7-18. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2021.08.001
3. Rahaiee, Somayeh et al. “Evaluation of antioxidant activities of bioactive compounds and various extracts obtained from saffron (Crocus sativus L.): a review.” Journal of food science and technology vol. 52,4 (2015): 1881-8. doi:10.1007/s13197-013-1238-x
4. Pachikian, Barbara D et al. “Effects of Saffron Extract on Sleep Quality: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial.” Nutrients vol. 13,5 1473. 27 Apr. 2021, doi:10.3390/nu13051473
5. Lian, Jinrong et al. “Effects of saffron supplementation on improving sleep quality: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Sleep medicine vol. 92 (2022): 24-33. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2022.03.001
6. Kell, Graham et al. “affron® a novel saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks in a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” Complementary therapies in medicine vol. 33 (2017): 58-64. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.001
7. Jackson, Philippa A et al. “Effects of Saffron Extract Supplementation on Mood, Well-Being, and Response to a Psychosocial Stressor in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel Group, Clinical Trial.” Frontiers in nutrition vol. 7 606124. 1 Feb. 2021, doi:10.3389/fnut.2020.606124
8. Sadat Rafiei, Seyyed Kiarash et al. “Saffron and Sleep Quality: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Nutrition and metabolic insights vol. 16 11786388231160317. 18 Jul. 2023, doi:10.1177/11786388231160317
9. Dormal, Valérie et al. “The Effects of Combined Scutellaria and Saffron Supplementation on Mood Regulation in Participants with Mild-to-Moderate Depressive Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.” Nutrients vol. 17,5 809. 26 Feb. 2025, doi:10.3390/nu17050809
