Rhodiola rosea contains chemical compounds called salidrosides and rosavins that promote the release of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain. The release of these neurotransmitters means that the brain performs better at thinking, analyzing, evaluating, calculating, and planning. Attention, memory, and learning functions are also enhanced, and mental fatigue is reduced. Rhodiola’s antioxidant properties may also protect the central nervous system from free radical damage caused by stress.
Adaptogens differ from stimulants in the way they work. Stimulants boost work capacity temporarily, but they deplete dopamine levels in the brain and afterward there is a period of substantially reduced capacity. Adaptogens, such as rhodiola, enhance the energy of brain and muscle cells by raising the metabolism of fats and increasing the number of energy molecules called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This improves performance and gives a more gradual decline after the peak.
Natural Factors Rhodiola is a concentrated extract, standardized to 3% salidrosides. Natural Factors Rhodiola is made following GMP standards to ensure the highest quality and the correct species – other species of rhodiola are not equivalent to Rhodiola rosea in terms of pharmacological and medicinal properties.