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Affron is one of the most studied saffron extracts in the world. If you have seen it on a supplement label, or you are comparing saffron products for mood, sleep or memory, you probably want to know one thing: does the research hold up?
We read the published human trials on affron, plus the major reviews on saffron in general, to explain what affron is, what it may help with, how much to take, what it does not do, and who should avoid it.
Affron Extract in Short
Affron is a standardised saffron (Crocus sativus) extract made by the Spanish company Pharmactive Biotech. Most trials used 28 mg a day, usually as 14 mg twice daily. Several randomised, placebo-controlled studies found improvements in low mood, stress and sleep quality, but most were small, short and funded by the maker, and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said the evidence is not yet strong enough for an official mood claim. There are no published affron trials on memory.
What Is Affron Extract?
Affron is a branded extract of the saffron flower’s red stigmas (the threads used in cooking). It is made by Pharmactive Biotech in Spain and sold to supplement brands as an ingredient, so you will see “affron®” on the labels of many different products.
What makes it different from plain saffron powder is standardisation: each batch is made to contain a set level of saffron’s active compounds, the crocins and safranal. EFSA describes affron as an aqueous saffron extract with crocins and safranal “typically between 3.5% and 3.9%”. This matters because saffron is expensive and is one of the most often adulterated spices in the world; a standardised extract gives you a consistent dose.
Affron Benefits: What the Research Says
Here are the main human trials that tested affron itself. All were randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled.
| Study | Who and what | Main result |
|---|---|---|
| Kell et al., 2017 | 128 healthy adults with low mood, 22 or 28 mg/day for 4 weeks | 28 mg/day reduced negative mood, stress and anxiety; 22 mg/day had no effect |
| Lopresti et al., 2018 | 80 teenagers (12-16) with mild-moderate anxiety or low mood, 14 mg twice daily for 8 weeks | Teens reported 33% lower symptoms vs 17% on placebo; parents’ reports were less consistent |
| Lopresti et al., 2020 | 63 adults with poor sleep, 14 mg twice daily for 28 days | Better insomnia scores and sleep quality than placebo |
| Lopresti et al., 2021 (sleep) | 120 adults with poor sleep, 14 or 28 mg one hour before bed for 28 days | Better sleep-quality ratings and morning mood; higher evening melatonin; both doses worked similarly |
| Lopresti & Smith, 2021 | 86 perimenopausal women, 14 mg twice daily for 12 weeks | About 33% less anxiety and 32% less low mood; no change in hot flushes |
| Lopresti et al., 2025 | 202 adults with low mood, 28 mg/day for 12 weeks (largest saffron trial so far) | Greater drop in depression scores (72% vs 54% had a meaningful improvement); most other measures did not differ; large placebo effect |
| 2026 trial | Women aged 50-70 with low mood and poor sleep | Tested affron on mood, sleep and self-esteem (published in Frontiers in Nutrition) |
1. Mood and stress
This is affron’s best-supported use. In the first trial, healthy adults with low mood felt better after four weeks on 28 mg a day, and the 2025 trial of 202 adults found a larger drop in depression scores after three months than with placebo. These results match the wider saffron research: several meta-analyses of saffron (not only affron) have found it beats placebo for mild to moderate depression symptoms.
However, EFSA reviewed affron’s mood evidence in 2021 and concluded it was not sufficient to approve the claim “contributes to maintain a healthy mood”, mainly because the first result had not been repeated at the time and the mechanism was unclear. Newer trials have since been published, but no official claim has been approved.
2. Sleep quality
Two affron trials in adults with self-reported poor sleep found better sleep-quality ratings after 28 days, and one found higher evening melatonin levels. A 2022 meta-analysis of saffron and sleep reached a similar positive conclusion. The catch: these studies used questionnaires and diaries rather than sleep-lab measurements, and they did not include people with diagnosed insomnia.
3. Menopause mood symptoms
In perimenopausal women, affron reduced anxiety and low mood over 12 weeks, but it did not improve hot flushes, night sweats or physical symptoms. If mood swings are your main menopause complaint, it may be worth discussing with your doctor; for hot flushes, it is not the right tool.
4. Memory and brain health
Many brain supplements now include saffron because of its memory research. Small trials of general saffron extracts (about 30 mg a day for 16 to 22 weeks) suggest benefits on cognitive scores in people with mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer’s, and a 2020 meta-analysis found saffron performed better than placebo. But affron itself has not been tested for memory, the studies were small, and healthy people with normal age-related forgetfulness have not been studied well.
One example is Phytomem One, a memory formula that lists “saffron extract” as its first ingredient, alongside berberine, cinnamon and seven others. It does not say whether its saffron is affron or how much it contains. We looked at the whole formula in our full Phytomem One review.
Affron Dosage: How Much Should You Take?
| Studied dose | 28 mg a day (14 mg twice daily, or 28 mg once) |
| For sleep | 14-28 mg about one hour before bed (2021 trial) |
| Lower doses | 22 mg/day had no effect on mood in the first trial |
| How long | 4 weeks for mood/sleep in trials; 8-12 weeks in longer studies |
| With food? | Trials did not require it; follow the product label |
More is not better. Saffron is safe as a spice and at extract doses up to about 30 mg a day, but very high amounts (grams, not milligrams) can be toxic. Never take more than the label says.
Affron Side Effects and Safety
Affron was well tolerated in every trial above, with no serious side effects reported. Reviews of saffron in general mention occasional mild effects such as nausea, dry mouth, headache, drowsiness or changes in appetite. Rare allergic reactions to saffron, including anaphylaxis, have been reported.
Affron Pros and Cons
👍 PROS
Standardised: consistent crocin and safranal content.
Human trials: at least seven randomised placebo-controlled studies.
Low dose: 28 mg a day, easy to take.
Well tolerated: no serious side effects in trials.
👎 CONS
Maker-funded: nearly all trials were paid for by Pharmactive.
Self-reported: results come mostly from questionnaires.
No memory trials: memory evidence comes from other saffron extracts.
No EFSA claim: the mood claim was rejected in 2021.
Affron Extract FAQ
Is affron the same as saffron?
Affron is a branded, standardised extract of saffron. Plain saffron spice contains the same compounds, but in unknown and variable amounts.
How long does affron take to work?
Trials measured mood and sleep changes after 4 weeks, with some studies running 8 to 12 weeks. Give it at least a month before judging.
Does affron help memory?
Not proven. Affron has been studied for mood and sleep. Memory benefits have been seen only with other saffron extracts in small trials of people with mild cognitive impairment.
Can I take affron with antidepressants?
Only with your doctor’s approval. Saffron may act on serotonin and other mood pathways, so combining it with medication should be supervised.
What is the best time to take affron?
For mood, trials used 14 mg in the morning and 14 mg in the evening. For sleep, one trial used a single dose one hour before bed.
Is affron safe long term?
The longest affron trials lasted 12 weeks with no serious side effects. Longer-term safety data are limited.
Scientific References
- Kell G, et al. affron® improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks. Complement Ther Med. 2017. PMID 28735826
- Lopresti AL, et al. affron® for youth anxiety and depressive symptoms. J Affect Disord. 2018. PMID 29510352
- Lopresti AL, et al. Effects of saffron on sleep quality in healthy adults with self-reported poor sleep. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020. PMID 32056539
- Lopresti AL, et al. Evening intake of affron® on sleep quality, cortisol and melatonin. Sleep Med. 2021. PMID 34438361
- Lopresti AL, Smith SJ. affron® on menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal women. J Menopausal Med. 2021. PMID 34463070
- Lopresti AL, et al. Saffron extract (Affron) on mood and wellbeing in adults with low mood. J Nutr. 2025. PMID 40414301
- Affron® in women aged 50 to 70 with low mood and poor sleep. Front Nutr. 2026. PMID 42389708
- EFSA NDA Panel. Affron® and increase in positive mood: evaluation of a health claim. EFSA J. 2021. PMID 34249157
- Saffron for mild cognitive impairment and dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020. PMID 33167948
- Effects of saffron supplementation on improving sleep quality: meta-analysis of RCTs. Sleep Med. 2022. PMID 35325766
- Efficacy of saffron in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a meta-analysis. Planta Med. 2019. PMID 30036891
- Efficacy and safety of saffron supplementation: current clinical findings. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2016. PMID 25875654
Medical disclaimer: This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Statements about supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk to your doctor before taking saffron or affron, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a mental health condition.