5 replies to this topic

[Zeno]

I've been taking Rhodiola Rosea for three days (dose = 120mg/6mg rosavins day 1, 240mg/12mg rosavins days 2 and 3) and it has made me unbelievably stupid and absent-minded. Constantly spacing out and making mistakes at work. Went to the grocery store to get band-aids, and it took me about five minutes to find the first aid section because I was just off in another world. Feel like I've been put on auto-pilot and my mind has been shut down. Has anyone else had this experience? And if so, does it get better or worse over time?

Thanks

[Strelok]

I've been taking rhodiola for about a week or two and haven't experienced that. Consider taking it at night instead for a couple weeks, then retry during the day.

[nootrope]

I have experienced this too. I figured it was due to Rhodiola being a COMT inhibitor, although some claim this was based on an old paper that's not even readily available:

http://www.longecity...comt-inhibitor/

People will react differently based on their genetic tendencies to produce enzymes that break down neurotransmitters. I find benefits from rhodiola and it will let me function on little sleep, but it won't let me function WELL.

[Zeno]

Thanks for the replies.

Strelok - Good idea. By using it at night I would still get the stress reduction benefits, while possibly avoiding the cognitive impairment. My only worry is that taking it at night would cause insomnia.

nootrope - Have you ever tried an SSRI, and if so, how did you compare cognitively on the SSRI to on Rhodiola? Rhodiola gives me the same spaced-out feeling I had when I was on Celexa for a couple of years, so I suspect that, whatever the mechanism, the ultimate cause is increased serotonin levels.

[Strelok]

Thanks for the replies.

Strelok - Good idea. By using it at night I would still get the stress reduction benefits, while possibly avoiding the cognitive impairment. My only worry is that taking it at night would cause insomnia.

nootrope - Have you ever tried an SSRI, and if so, how did you compare cognitively on the SSRI to on Rhodiola? Rhodiola gives me the same spaced-out feeling I had when I was on Celexa for a couple of years, so I suspect that, whatever the mechanism, the ultimate cause is increased serotonin levels.

If taking at night causes insomia, I'd try taking it an hour ealier and see if that helps. If it doesn't, progressively add an hour to the time that you take it before bed. I have taken certain supplements 2-4 hours before bed for this reason.

[koda]

A lot of the Rhodiola on the market actually comes from another plant in the Rhodiola genus, probably Rhodiola crenulata or similar. These other Rhodiola's have very different effects, and while some of them may be considered adaptogenic, they do not possess the balanced synchronization of excitement & relaxation that true Rhodiola rosea offer. I have tried wild whole roots of Rhodiola rosea, and 2 certified organic types, and the quality of even these plants, of the very same species have offered me completely different effects. Change your supplier. I have been working with Rhodiola rosea for over 3 years now and have never experienced personally or seen others who take the raw root complain of a head-fog or an inability to focus. Quite the opposite actually.