The reason why you can't take Rhodiola long term is because there's a lack of safety data.
Although Rhodiola has been safely used in clinical studies, which have lasted up to 12 weeks, the long term effects of Rhodiola still remain unknown.
It's also recommended that you cycle supplements when taking them, such as taking the supplements like Rhodiola for 6 to 12 weeks and then followed by a multi-week break to prevent several potential concerns, which include immune system strain, potential interactions with medications, overstimulation and decreased effectiveness.
Rhodiola can stimulate your immune system, which can also be problematic for people with autoimmune conditions.
Rhodiola can also affect how the body processes certain types of medications like blood thinners, such as Warfarin, diabetes medications and antidepressant medications, which increase your risk of developing adverse reactions.
And because rhodiola is energizing, prolonged daily use of rhodiola can also lead to and cause jitters, irritability, restlessness and sleep disruptions and like many adaptogens, which is what rhodiola is, continuous and uninterrupted use of rhodiola can cause the body to build up a tolerance to the rhodolia and make it less effective over time.
The downside of Rhodiola is that it has stimulating effects, which can trigger over arousal as well as anxiety and sleep disturbances.
Rhodiola also has several contraindications and can also interact with common medications including antidepressants and blood pressure medications as well as immunosuppressants.
The overstimulation and sleep issues that can result from taking rhodiola include jitters and anxiety as well as insomnia.
Taking rhodiola too late in the day or before bed can disrupt your sleep cycle or even cause vivid dreams and because rhodiola also acts as a mild central nervous system stimulant, high doses of rhodiola can also cause agitation, racing heart or irritability.
Medication interactions that can occur with rhodiola include blood thinners, blood pressure and diabetes medications and antidepressants.
Rhodiola can affect how your liver breaks down blood thinner medications like Warfarin, which can increase their levels in your body.
Because rhodiola also stimulates your immune system activity, it can also counteract the effects of immunosuppressant drugs.
Rhodiola can lower blood pressure and blood sugar and can cause dangerously low levels of blood pressure and blood sugar, if you're already taking medication for diabetes or high blood pressure.
And mixing rhodiola with prescription antidepressants can also lead to a dangerously rapid heart rate or even trigger serotonin syndrome.
People who should avoid taking rhodiola are people with autoimmune conditions, bipolar disorder, children and pregnant women.
Rhodiola can stimulate your immune system, potentially worsening conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and MS or multiple sclerosis and it may even increase the risk of triggering manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder.
There's also a lack of rigorous safety data and information for breastfeeding and pregnant women as well as children, so it's not recommended or advised for people in these groups to take rhodiola.
While rhodiola is safe for most people, it also can sometimes cause irregular heartbeats, racing heart or even increased heart rate also known as tachycardia in some people, most particularly when it's combined with antidepressants or when it's taken in large doses.
Rhodiola can also interact with some medications and can dangerously accelerate your heart rate when it's taken alongside of prescription antidepressants.
And rhodiola can also over amplify the affects of your blood pressure and diabetes medications, which can also push the levels too low.
And while some clinical studies also suggest that rhodiola may even had some mild anti-arrhythmic benefits and protect against stress induced heart damage, people with any pre-existing arrhythmias or heart conditions should also consult with their doctor before using rhodiola.
And because rhodiola also stimulates your immune system, rhodiola may also make conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis worse.
Rhodiola can raise blood pressure in rare cases as some people who take rhodiola experience restlessness, overstimulation and sometimes a temporary spike in blood pressure.
Although of raising blood pressure, rhodiola is more commonly known for it's potential in lowering your blood pressure and as a result of this, it's usually not recommended for people with low blood pressure or for people taking prescription blood pressure medications to take rhodiola as it can cause your blood pressure to drop too low.
Also if you take central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, rhodiola can also enhance the hypertensive effect and combing rhodiola with prescription antidepressants can also cause a rapid or irregular heart rate.
The best time to take rhodiola is in the morning as rhodiola has an energizing effect and can keep you awake if you take it at night.
Rhodiola is known for it's ability to boost stamina and fight fatigue as well as improve mental focus without the jitters that are associated with caffeine.
Although because rhodiola is an adaptogen, rhodiola also uniquely helps the body manage and adapt to stress, which can also create an overall feeling of mental clarity and balance, instead of overstimulation.
Because rhodiola balances your nervous system and prevents the crashes, which come with chronic stress, rhodiola can also make you feel emotionally calm and grounded even when under pressure.
Although rhodiola also combats both mental fatigue and physical fatigue by helping your body regulate stress hormones like cortisol.
Rhodiola also helps support cellular energy and many people who take rhodiola also feel the effects of rhodiola within 30 minutes to 60 minutes of taking it and notice sharper focus and enhanced work capacity and performance.
It's also often recommended to take rhodiola in the morning or in the early afternoon to avoid any sleep disturbances because of it's energizing properties.
Rhodiola rosea is a perennial flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae.
It grows naturally in wild Arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, and can be propagated as a groundcover.
Rhodiola (often Rhodiola rosea) is a natural adaptogenic herb that helps your body resist physical, chemical, and environmental stressors.
Rhodiola is primarily used to combat fatigue, relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression, boost cognitive function, and enhance athletic endurance.
As an adaptogen, rhodiola helps regulate your body's stress response system (specifically by moderating cortisol levels).
This makes it highly effective for preventing burnout and reducing mental fatigue during high-demand periods.
Rhodiola may also help improve memory, focus, and concentration.
Studies suggest that rhodiola also boosts the activity of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which can keep you sharp during stressful tasks.
Rhodiola also can help alleviate symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression and generalized anxiety.
While it is generally less potent than traditional prescription antidepressants, it often comes with fewer side effects.
Rhodiola also is used by athletes and active individuals to improve endurance, lower perceived exertion, and reduce post-workout muscle damage.