Rhodiola Rosea, an adaptogenic herb, is a long-time BrainWiz favorite. Some rely on it to help fight jet-lag, while others take it on a daily basis. It is considered to be one of the most active adaptogenic drugs, and it shows up in quite a few nootropic stacks.
One question we’ve been getting a lot, especially since our Side Effects of Rhodiola article went live, is what is the best time to take Rhodiola.
As an adaptogen, Rhodiola can help reduce the effects of stress, and potentially protect against long-term stress. Its effects on stress have been observed as quickly as the first time Rhodiola is administered, and continued use may increase resistance to stress, with few adverse effects on other normal biological functions (though it may have a stimulating effect for some people; see below).
Just because Rhodiola helps you fight the effects of stress doesn’t mean that it relaxes you. In fact, studies suggest that rhodiola can fight both physical and mental fatigue, and can act as a stimulant.
The easiest way to determine the best time to use Rhodiola is to take into consideration your sensitivity to stimulants, what other stimulants you may be taking in addition, and whether or not you have difficulty falling asleep at night.
What works best for me is 250 mg of Rhodiola in the morning, along with a cup of Bulletproot/fat-infused coffee. If I anticipate a high-stress day, I will follow it up with another 250 mg of Rhodiola with lunch. Note that Rhodiola doesn’t necessarily become more effective with a higher dose, and dosages above 600 mg haven’t been shown to be clinically effective (and may actually be less effective).
I have a high tolerance for stimulants, but I also have a hard time falling asleep at night. For me, taking Rhodiola after lunch is a big no-no, but feel free to experiment with what works best for you.
Some folks here at BrainWiz take up to 600 mg of Rhodiola at a time, and stack it with caffeine or other caffeine-containing supplements. I have stacked it with both Lumonol and Alpha BRAIN with great results.
Again, finding the best time for you may take some experimentation, but I suggest with starting with a dose in the morning for best results.
Have you been taking Rhodiola? Share your supplement routine in the comments below.
I’ve been taking Adrenal Health from Gaia Herbs 2ce daily along with magnesium gylcinate, magnesium citrate, vitamin C, iron and curcumin (with black pepper). So far I think adding Adrenal Health to my supplements has been helpful. It contains Rhodiola, Holy Basil and Ashwaghanda. I need to give it some more time, but it’s been recommended to me by my primary physician for adrenal fatigue and stress, plus low progesterone
I give my son Rhodiola before bedtime he sleeps ok and eliminated all nightmares