Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus)

Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus) - Printable Version

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Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus) - Alphonse - 05-09-2016 1:28 PM

The study below indicates that cortisol is lowered, estradiol is increased and women feel better when exposed to the scent of saffron.

I know this an N=1 study, but a friend of mine whom I gifted with a tincture confirms this works when she is PMSing.

I've been looking for an alternative to Androstadienone for a while and feel saffron would be a good alternative. It does not have a negative impact on me (except when I managed to stain a nice shirt). This is the tincture I recommend: https://hermitageoils.com/product/saffron-tincture-1/

A

Phytomedicine. 2011 Jun 15;18(8-9):726-30. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2010.11.013. Epub 2011 Jan 15.
Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus).
Fukui H1, Toyoshima K, Komaki R.
Author information
Abstract
AIM:

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of saffron odor on symptoms unique to women, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) and irregular menstruation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Thirty-five women with a normal sense of smell were exposed to saffron odor for 20 min. Saliva samples were then collected to measure levels of cortisol ©, testosterone (T) and 17-β estradiol (E) by enzyme immunoassay, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was administered as a psychological test.
RESULTS:

Saffron odor significantly decreased C levels after short-term stimulation (20 min) in both follicular and luteal phases. E level after exposure to saffron odor was increased in both the follicular- and luteal-phase groups. STAI score decreased in the follicular and luteal phases in the saffron group.
CONCLUSIONS:

The present findings support the existence of physiological and psychological effects of saffron odor in women. Our results indicate that saffron odor exert some effects in the treatment of PMS, dysmenorrhea and irregular menstruation. This is the first report to suggest that saffron odor may be effective in treating menstrual distress.

RE: Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus) - GoergeFocky - 05-10-2016 1:34 AM

Likely one or more of these compounds are responsible:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19595355

And numerous other phyto-substances that are similar in structure or characteristics. It's a great, interesting field.

RE: Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus) - VishRemma - 08-11-2016 1:55 PM

Alphonse and George, One of the key ingredients in safron is Safranal. Safranal has a mol weight of approximately 150 g/mol, which is about 100 g/mol lighter than adrostenone (250 g/mol). It is a pretty light molecule so it should fly. Perhaps it has phenomonal properties? Safron has long been touted as an aphrodisiac. I might have to give it a whirl. I have some good saffron in my cupboard..

RE: Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus) - GoergeFocky - 08-12-2016 2:33 AM

(08-11-2016 1:55 PM)VishRemma Wrote: Alphonse and George, One of the key ingredients in safron is Safranal. Safranal has a mol weight of approximately 150 g/mol, which is about 100 g/mol lighter than adrostenone (250 g/mol). It is a pretty light molecule so it should fly. Perhaps it has phenomonal properties? Safron has long been touted as an aphrodisiac. I might have to give it a whirl. I have some good saffron in my cupboard..

For the sake of science, I would no longer toute those substances a "pheromone" but an active semiochemical, which safranal, like many terpenes, probably is.

What's the plan VishRemma, faciliate an alocholic extract of your saffron?

The Wiki-entry already states some properties of safranal already, among them GABAa-Receptor activity:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safranal

RE: Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus) - VishRemma - 09-06-2016 11:51 AM

(08-12-2016 2:33 AM)GoergeFocky Wrote: For the sake of science, I would no longer toute those substances a "pheromone" but an active semiochemical, which safranal, like many terpenes, probably is.

What's the plan VishRemma, faciliate an alocholic extract of your saffron?

The Wiki-entry already states some properties of safranal already, among them GABAa-Receptor activity:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safranal

Hi GeorgeFocky, That is what I usually use when I am testing new chemicals. I have access to super high grade saffron so that is not the problem. I use it mostly for cooking right now. I think the main issue is going to be staining. When I use it for cooking, I heat up some olive oil or butter in the microwave, then crumble a few strands in the hot mixture and stir with a wire whip. You get a rich yellow liquid. I got some on my hands and it stained my skin for a day or two. So I'm not sure how I would go about dissolving the saffron and dealing with the color issue. Maybe I could try filtering it numerous times. Any ideas?

RE: Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus) - VishRemma - 01-30-2017 12:24 PM

I will just try an alcohol extract and see how that works. I will let you know how it goes.
[Image: mfSZi]

I ground up 1 gram of Grade A Afghani Saffron and mixed it with 100cc of Isopropyl Myristate. Im gonna let it sit for about a week then filter and see what I got.

RE: Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus) - DrChocolate - 01-31-2017 12:24 AM

What about Saffron essential oils? I've been mixing a few essential oils together to find a good blended smell. Am still working on it though. Just thought I'll put it out there.

RE: Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus) - toutsif - 01-31-2017 4:46 AM

Saffron smells like Betadine solution for me. Not very pleasant also its very sticky and this yellow color stay on clothes like forever. I have destroy a lot of my shirts with that. I didnt show any good to mention results by the way

RE: Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus) - GoergeFocky - 01-31-2017 5:45 AM

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24413446_Evaluation_of_Crocus_sativus_L_saffron_on_male_erectile_dysfunction_A_pilot_study

Extract seems to be a promising adjuvant in treatment of erectile dysfunction.

@ChocoDoc:
Essential oil contains Safranal and other fot-soluble volatiles, but not all substances found in a an extract

RE: Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus) - DrChocolate - 01-31-2017 5:47 AM

(01-31-2017 5:45 AM)GoergeFocky Wrote: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24413446_Evaluation_of_Crocus_sativus_L_saffron_on_male_erectile_dysfunction_A_pilot_study

Extract seems to be a promising adjuvant in treatment of erectile dysfunction.

@ChocoDoc:
Essential oil contains Safranal and other fot-soluble volatiles, but not all substances found in a an extract

Copy that. Ah. Bummer. Oh well. Smile

RE: Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus) - Fly So Hi - 05-29-2017 10:07 PM

(01-30-2017 12:24 PM)VishRemma Wrote: I will just try an alcohol extract and see how that works. I will let you know how it goes.

No news is good news. So tell us: how did it go?

RE: Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus) - VishRemma - 06-14-2017 1:27 PM

(05-29-2017 10:07 PM)Fly So Hi Wrote: No news is good news. So tell us: how did it go?

Hi Fly so hi,
Sorry about taking so long to reply. Real world stuff getting in the way of my pheromone hobby.

So yeah, I made a nice extract with high grade Afghani saffron and Iso Myristate. I filtered it twice. It is light yellow in color (looks like a urine sample).

Application:

I first tried smearing a couple drops on my lily-white inner wrists to see if it discolored my skin. To my surprise, it didn't. It went on clean.

I let it dry down for 5 minutes, then I took a clean white tissue and rubbed it briskly to see if it would come off and stain the tissue. Again, to my surprise it did not. I could smell the saffron on the tissue but it did not turn it yellow. I did these tests to determine if using saffron, or a mix with saffron would it stain your skin or your clothes. It doesnt. I still would not advise spraying this directly on clothing.

Smell:

As someone mentioned earlier, they think it smells like betadine. Betadine is the yellow antimicrobial "paint" that they wipe on your skin before surgery. I see what you are saying, it has a slight similarity, but not as strong as betadine.

I think it has a very faint, light, almost buttery smell. So faint that I think it will be inconsequential as far as smell is concerned. I think it is a very luxurious smell, and could be steered in a number of ways to fit your perfume/cologne preferences. Would be easy to cover with almost anything.

Self effects:

With any new molecule, I like to test it "in-vitro" if you will first. I have a small ultrasonic essential oil vaporizer on my desk at work that is literally 2 feet away from me at desktop level. The vapor is pointed directly at me so I am literally sitting in a cloud of vapor all day. I filled it with distilled water, and added 5 drops of my saffron extract to the water and turned it on.

I have nothing else on except whatever is leftover from 2 sprays of Xist with cops from yesterday. I scrubbed my application points last night before I went to bed, and took a shower this morning and scrubbed them again, but I still could faintly detect it, but Im pretty sure it wasnt effecting me much. Damn those sticky ass cops...

After about 30 minutes, I felt very motivated to get things done. Not in a panicky way, but a more calm, focused, "check off the boxes" of my to-do list motivation. I am a mediocre typer, but I felt like it was flowing more naturally from my brain to my fingers if that makes sense. I was typing faster and making less mistakes.

I also feel a bit happy and content. Not giddy, just a little smiley. Beautification? I have a good test for beautification that I use. On a sunny day I go outside and I stare up into a large leafy tree. If the mone I am testing has beautification aspects to it, I get the feeling that I am looking at a super super high definition TV, and I am affected by the movement of the leaves in the breeze, and the "shimmering" effect reflecting the sun off the leaves. its like I see every single leaf. Hard to describe the feeling other than maybe like butterflies in my stomach, and sometimes shivers or hair standing up on end....goosebumps.

Overall, I like the way it makes me feel.

Testing on others:

I have not really tested it yet outside what I have described above. I am meeting some friends for happy hour later today and I will give this a go all by itself.

I plan to mix up a to-go bottle of the saffron extract with some DPG as a fixative and apply up and down my forearms, and a little behind each ear. I will be leaving the mix strong for these initial tests, then titrate it down later on future tests and figure out the dosage. If someone wants to do the math in the meantime, be my guest. My extract is 1 gram of saffron disolved in 100cc Isomyristate for 5 days and then filtered.

But for today's test, I am looking to accomplish the following:

- Smell- Does anyone comment on my "cologne" or ask me what is that I am wearing? Note again, all I am going to wear is the saffron mix, no cover.

-Note any female attention hits...the usual...hair flips, dilated eyes, nostril flaring, double takes, etc.

-Note any public selfies from myself. Do I act, feel any different. Confidence level. Chattiness. Alpha?? VIP?? Bond,James Bond?? Beta?? Rockstar??

This will be a 30,000 foot overview type of test just to see what we are dealing with here, if anything.

Predictions??:

Through my research about saffron here on the board, the links provided by others to scientific studies, and other interwebs info, many sources state that saffron has aphrodisiac properties to it, can help with erectile dysfunction, and can help the ladies with PMS and menstrual issues. So I will keep my eyes open for signs that it is affecting the ladies in a sexual way, such as face and/cleavage flushing, or touching their lady parts in public.

But based on my 7-8 years of phero experience, and my selfies test here at my desk, and if I had to guess, I would think that this one may be one of those more subtle molecules, leaning toward the socials end of the spectrum. Maybe a good buffer molecule. Maybe comfort/fallout feel good molecule? Cant have too many of those in your arsenal. But we shall see...

Summary:

I will run with this as written above once maybe 2 times, learn a little more, then start working up a list of complimentary mones that might work well with it, or vice versa.