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Calming herbs · side effects reported by users

Saffron Side Effects: What Reddit Users Report

About this entry (Saffron extract (incl. Affron)): Crocus sativus stigma extract; Affron is a standardized branded extract.

12 of 115 Reddit owner comments about Saffron (10%) describe an unwanted effect. These are self-reports from Reddit anxiety, stress and supplement communities (May 2026 to October 2026), not a measured side-effect rate, and many people report no problems at all.

Saffron extract (incl. Affron) overall: 4.0 · tolerability 4.4 (higher means fewer unwanted-effect reports).

Most common complaints

Side effects: 11 owner comments

Safety notes from NIH and published research

Saffron has been studied alongside antidepressants. Do not add it to, or swap it for, a prescribed antidepressant without your doctor.^[PubMed]

Stop and talk to a doctor if an effect is severe or does not settle. Ask a pharmacist about interactions with any medicine you take.

In their words

2/5 Side effects
“I've tried ashweghanda & saffron and neither worked for me either..i had a particularly bad reaction to ash it just made my anxiety way worse”

owner comment via r/Supplements · 2026-09-11 · 5 upvotes

1/5 Side effects
“Saffron made my depression worse.”

owner comment via r/Supplements · 2026-09-08 · 3 upvotes

3/5 MoodSide effects
“started with 15mg of affron few month ago, got the headache too first couple days.”

owner comment via r/Supplements · 2026-10-14 · 2 upvotes

4/5 Side effectsFalling asleep
“It worked amazingly for my stress and anxiety but made me super sleepy all day, even when I took it at night (Affron 28mg by California Gold).”

owner comment via r/Supplements · 2026-06-13 · 1 upvotes

5/5 Side effectsFalling asleep
“I used the Affron 28mg formula by California Gold for 2 months and saw amazing results for my anxiety and stress.”

owner comment via r/Supplements · 2026-06-13 · 1 upvotes

2/5 Side effects
“When I tried saffron I just got headaches :( but, I took nutricost.”

owner comment via r/Supplements · 2026-09-14 · 1 upvotes

4/5 Stomach upsetSide effects
“I started saffron a couple weeks ago, i think it's helping.”

owner comment via r/Supplements · 2026-09-15 · 1 upvotes

3/5 Feeling flat or numbMood
“also i think saffron helps my eyes tho i take it for depression/anhedonia”

owner comment via r/Supplements · 2026-10-03 · 1 upvotes

Frequently asked

What side effects do people report with Saffron?

12 of 115 Reddit owner comments about Saffron (10%) describe an unwanted effect. These are self-reports, not a measured side-effect rate.

Is Saffron safe?

Safety depends on your health and medicines. The NIH and other sources listed on this page note specific cautions. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before starting, especially if you take other medicines or are pregnant.

More on Saffron

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