Key findings from detailed records
A 28-day trial of standardized saffron extract (14 mg 2 times daily) reported better self-rated sleep quality and insomnia scores than placebo in 55 analyzed adults. Total sleep time and time to fall asleep did not show a significant between-group improvement.
KNOWLEDGE RECORD
- Category
- Sleep and stress
- Last Reviewed
Names and related search termsSaffron / Saffron / Affron / Affron® / affron
Study type: human intervention study.
OUTCOME-SPECIFIC EVIDENCE
Scientific Evidence Profile
Assessment pending
An outcome-specific assessment has not yet been completed. This is not a finding that the ingredient is ineffective. The study records below remain available.
This profile concerns the stated outcome and population, not the ingredient as a whole. It is not a probability of benefit, a safety rating, a product efficacy rating or an indication of product adoption.
How we assess evidenceIngredient Profile
- What material is being studied?
- Saffron is a botanical material obtained from stigmas. Chemical fingerprinting identifies multiple apocarotenoids, illustrating why an extract needs a defined composition rather than only a plant name. [1]
Sources for this profile
Compound properties and formulation properties are different. These sources do not establish the efficacy of a finished supplement.
- Extracted apocarotenoids from saffron stigmas and evaluated the quality of saffron. Identity and preparation checked against the study abstract. Funding details are not verified for this profile source. Conflict-of-interest details are not verified here.
Profile sources checked:
Read the evidence in context
- Evidence: what was measured in the stated population or experimental model.
- Inference: an interpretation connecting findings; its applicability depends on the study conditions.
- Hypothesis: a proposed explanation or effect that remains to be tested.
Why It Matters #
Does standardized saffron extract change self-reported sleep? Check the detailed records for study conditions and use the literature map to compare other populations and outcomes.
What Was Studied #
63 adults aged 18–70 with unsatisfactory sleep recruited; data from 55 analyzed Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Outcomes: Insomnia Severity Index (primary), restorative sleep, sleep diaries and other measures[1]
What Was Found #
ISI, restorative sleep and subjective sleep quality improved versus placebo.[1]
What the Evidence Means #
Short-term, small sample, largely self-reported outcomes. Objective sleep measurements and replication in broader populations are needed.[1]
Comparing similar populations, formulations, durations and outcomes helps identify where findings agree and where they differ.
What We Can Learn #
Culinary saffron and a standardized extract are different interventions. Mention of a trademark does not indicate adoption by LÍFSVARÐA.
What Remains Unknown #
Further questions include reproducibility across populations and formulations, and the long-term balance of benefits and harms. Use the literature map as a starting point for these questions.
LITERATURE MAP / 10 PAPERS
Compare papers by conditions and findings.
A literature map covering different populations, outcomes and formulations. Read alongside detailed records to avoid treating one trial as the conclusion for an entire ingredient.
Selected: 2026-09-21. Bibliographic information checked against Europe PMC / PubMed. Editorial selection considered major papers and a range of populations and questions. This is not a systematic search covering all recent research.
10 RECORDS
A dash marks fields outside the bibliographic record. Use detailed records to compare findings and design records to connect mechanisms.
No papers match. Change the search conditions.
The literature map is an index of research questions and references. Individual assessment of results, doses, funding and COI is limited to the detailed study records. Related reports from the same trial may be included; paper counts are not counts of independent trials.
Explore the research Study Records
Listed doses describe study conditions, not recommended intake.
Effects of saffron on sleep quality in healthy adults with self-reported poor sleep: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
PubMed 32056539DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.8376
- Authors
- Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Metse AP, Drummond PD.
- Journal
- Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
- Publication year
- 2020
- Study design
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Participants
- 63 adults aged 18–70 with unsatisfactory sleep recruited; data from 55 analyzed
- Dose and intervention
- affron extract 14 mg twice daily
- Duration
- 28 days
- Outcomes and their role in the study
- Insomnia Severity Index (primary), restorative sleep, sleep diaries and other measures
- Findings
- ISI, restorative sleep and subjective sleep quality improved versus placebo.
- Limitations
- A 28-day study using self-reported measures; 55 of 63 recruited participants provided complete questionnaires. No adverse effects were reported during that period. Total sleep time and sleep latency did not show significant between-group improvement. Pregnant or breastfeeding people and those with relevant medical or psychiatric conditions were excluded.
- Funding
- Pharmactive Biotech Products SL funded the trial and supplied affron. LIPA Pharmaceuticals prepared the tablets.
- Conflict of Interest
- The authors reported no conflicts of interest. The funder was reported not to be involved in research design, data analysis or writing the report. Industry funding is disclosed separately above.
- Scope of source review
- Primary methods, Table 2, limitations, safety reporting and disclosures checked on 2026-10-24. The 28-day duration follows the Methods and Results, rather than the inconsistent 8-week wording in the brief-summary box.
Cite this page
LÍFSVARÐA. Saffron: Does standardized saffron extract change self-reported sleep? Version 1.1 / Updated 2026-10-24
https://lifsvarda.com/knowledge/saffron/Edited by LÍFSVARÐA (product brand).Editorial policy
Sources and updates
- Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Metse AP, Drummond PD. (2020). Effects of saffron on sleep quality in healthy adults with self-reported poor sleep: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Primary methods, Table 2, limitations, safety reporting and disclosures checked on 2026-10-24. The 28-day duration follows the Methods and Results, rather than the inconsistent 8-week wording in the brief-summary box.
First published: 2026-09-21 / Version 1.1. Updated 2026-09-23: Added a research comparison table and links to design records. Source notes identify the scope of verification when the full paper has not been reviewed. Research summaries and LÍFSVARÐA’s interpretation are distinguished.