Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals - Saffron - 90 Capsules

Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals Saffron Extract delivers 88.5mg of Non-GMO Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) stigma extract per capsule — standardized to 1.34% safranal (1.2mg) by UV Vis analysis and providing crocin and picrocrocin, the three primary bioactive carotenoid and volatile compounds responsible for saffron's documented effects on mood, cognitive function, and antioxidant status. Hi-Tech claims 3X the potency of competing saffron supplements, reflecting the standardization to all three key bioactive fractions simultaneously rather than a single-marker extract. Promotes positive mood and well-being. Helps maintain cognitive function. Supports antioxidant protection. 90 capsules per container — 90 servings at 1 capsule daily, or 45 days at the recommended twice-daily dose. Take one capsule twice daily (morning and evening) with food. GMP Certified Facility. Non-GMO. Avoid use during pregnancy. Consult a physician before use if taking anti-coagulant or anti-platelet medications or if you have a bleeding disorder or kidney disease.†

Supplement Facts — Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals Saffron Extract (Per 1 Capsule / 90 Servings)

• Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Non-GMO Extract (stigma) — 88.5mg
• Standardized to 1.34% Safranal — 1.2mg Safranal per capsule (by UV Vis)
• Providing: Crocin and Picrocrocin

• Other Ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Gelatin, Magnesium Stearate, Silica, FD&C Blue #1
• Non-GMO Saffron — stigma (the most bioactive part of the Crocus sativus flower)
• 90 capsules per container — 90 servings (45 days at twice-daily dosing)
• Take 1 capsule twice daily (morning and evening) with food
• GMP Certified Facility. Sourced from a GMP Certified Facility.
• Avoid use during pregnancy
• Warning: Do not exceed recommended dose. Consult physician before use if taking anti-coagulant or anti-platelet medications or if you have a bleeding disorder or kidney disease.

What Saffron Is — And Why the Bioactive Profile Matters

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the world's most expensive spice by weight — harvested entirely by hand from the stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower, with approximately 150,000 flowers required to produce one kilogram of dried saffron. Its value reflects both the labor-intensive cultivation and the extraordinary concentration of bioactive compounds in the stigma. Hi-Tech uses the stigma specifically — the thread-like red portion of the flower that accumulates the highest concentration of all three primary bioactive fractions: Crocin, Safranal, and Picrocrocin.†

Most commercial saffron supplements are standardized to a single marker — typically either Safranal or Crocin alone — which captures one dimension of the plant's bioactivity while potentially underrepresenting the others. Hi-Tech's extract is standardized to 1.34% Safranal by UV Vis analysis (confirming 1.2mg Safranal per capsule) while simultaneously providing Crocin and Picrocrocin — standardizing all three primary bioactive fractions in a single extract. This is the basis for Hi-Tech's "3X Potency of Competition" claim: a three-marker extract against single-marker competitors at equivalent stated doses.†

The Three Bioactive Compounds — What Each One Does

Safranal — The Volatile Aromatic Compound for Mood and Neurological Support

Safranal is the primary volatile compound responsible for saffron's characteristic aroma — and its documented neurological effects. Research on Safranal has established that it acts as a GABA-A receptor agonist, modulating the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter system in the brain to produce anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and mood-stabilizing effects. Safranal also inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine — the same neurotransmitters targeted by most antidepressant medications — through mechanisms that parallel selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Multiple randomized controlled trials have documented saffron's effects on depression and anxiety through this monoamine reuptake inhibition mechanism, with several meta-analyses confirming statistically significant antidepressant effects from standardized saffron extract at 30mg daily (equivalent to two capsules of Hi-Tech's formula). The 1.34% Safranal standardization confirmed by UV Vis analysis ensures each capsule contains a documented, measurable amount of this primary bioactive.†

Crocin — The Carotenoid Antioxidant for Cognitive and Visual Support

Crocin is saffron's primary carotenoid pigment — the compound responsible for its distinctive golden-yellow color. Unlike most carotenoids (which are fat-soluble), Crocin is a water-soluble carotenoid glycoside, giving it unique bioavailability and distribution properties that allow it to reach brain and ocular tissue more effectively than fat-soluble carotenoids like beta-carotene. Crocin's documented effects include potent antioxidant activity (neutralizing reactive oxygen species in brain and retinal tissue), neuroprotective effects through inhibition of oxidative-stress-induced apoptosis in neurons, and specific cognitive performance improvements in memory and learning documented in multiple human trials. Research on Crocin in age-related cognitive decline is particularly robust — it has been studied for its protective effects against the oxidative damage and amyloid accumulation associated with cognitive aging.†

Picrocrocin — The Bitter Glycoside for Appetite and Satiety Regulation

Picrocrocin is the bitter-tasting glycoside precursor to Safranal — it decomposes to Safranal during the drying process, and the two compounds are therefore measured together in quality saffron extracts as complementary markers of bioactivity. Beyond its relationship to Safranal, Picrocrocin has its own documented biological activity including effects on appetite regulation. Research specifically on Picrocrocin has documented reductions in food cravings and compulsive snacking behavior — effects that are mechanistically consistent with its influence on serotonergic pathways governing satiety signaling. This appetite-modulating dimension makes saffron extract particularly relevant for individuals managing caloric intake as part of a body composition or wellness protocol.†

The Clinical Evidence — What the Research Shows

Saffron has accumulated a meaningful human clinical trial database over the past two decades — unusual for a botanical supplement. The most frequently cited research involves comparisons of standardized saffron extract (typically 30mg daily — equivalent to two Hi-Tech Saffron capsules) against placebo and against pharmaceutical antidepressants in randomized controlled trials. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine analyzed multiple RCTs and found saffron supplementation produced statistically significant improvements in depression and anxiety scores versus placebo, with effect sizes comparable to some pharmaceutical interventions. A notable 2004 trial published in Phytomedicine compared saffron directly to fluoxetine (Prozac) in mild-to-moderate depression — saffron was equally effective to the pharmaceutical over the 6-week study period.†

Cognitive performance research on saffron (primarily Crocin) has documented improvements in memory, attention, and learning in multiple human studies — particularly in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics found saffron extract produced improvements in cognitive function comparable to donepezil (a pharmaceutical Alzheimer's medication) in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease over 22 weeks.†

Saffron's antioxidant activity is among the most potent measured in botanical extracts — the combination of water-soluble Crocin and fat-soluble carotenoid fractions allows saffron to quench free radicals in both the aqueous and lipid phases of cellular environments, producing comprehensive antioxidant protection that single-phase antioxidants cannot achieve.†

Who Benefits From Saffron Extract

Saffron Extract's three-pronged bioactive profile positions it for five distinct user profiles. First: individuals looking to support positive mood and emotional well-being through natural serotonergic and dopaminergic mechanisms — the most common use case and the best-documented clinical application. Second: athletes and active individuals who experience mood fluctuations during caloric restriction or high-volume training phases — saffron's mood-stabilizing effects are particularly relevant when dietary stress is elevated. Third: individuals seeking cognitive performance support — the Crocin fraction's documented effects on memory and attention make saffron relevant for cognitive performance alongside its mood benefits. Fourth: individuals managing food cravings and appetite control — Picrocrocin's serotonergic appetite-modulating effects may support healthy eating behavior. Fifth: individuals looking for antioxidant support through a plant-derived, multi-phase antioxidant rather than isolated vitamins.†

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does "standardized to 1.34% Safranal by UV Vis" mean?
   UV Vis (UV-Visible Spectrophotometry) is the analytical testing method used to confirm the Safranal content in the saffron extract — measuring light absorption at specific wavelengths that correspond to Safranal's molecular structure. Standardization to 1.34% means that laboratory testing has confirmed 1.34% of the 88.5mg extract weight is Safranal — delivering a confirmed 1.2mg of Safranal per capsule. This analytical verification is the quality standard that separates pharmaceutical-grade saffron extracts from commodity saffron powder where the bioactive content is variable and unconfirmed.†
2. How long does it take to notice effects from Saffron Extract?
   Saffron's mood effects in clinical research are typically measured over 4-8 weeks of consistent daily use. Some users report noticing improvements in mood and appetite regulation within 2-3 weeks. The cognitive effects from Crocin tend to develop more gradually over 4-12 weeks of consistent supplementation. Saffron is not an acute stimulant — its effects are cumulative and develop progressively with daily supplementation rather than occurring acutely after a single dose.†
3. Can Saffron Extract be taken with other Hi-Tech supplements?
   Hi-Tech Saffron Extract is a non-stimulant, non-hormonal botanical supplement that stacks cleanly with most other supplements. It is specifically included in DVST8:25 (the Inspired Nutraceuticals collaboration pre-workout) and in ALTER EGO (the Panda x HTLT pre-workout) as a mood support ingredient — demonstrating its compatibility with caffeinated pre-workouts. The anticoagulant caution (noted on the label) is the primary interaction concern: individuals taking blood thinners should consult a physician before use.†
4. Why does the label warn about anti-coagulant and anti-platelet medications?
   Saffron's bioactive compounds — particularly Crocin and Safranal — have documented mild anti-platelet activity, meaning they reduce the tendency of platelets to aggregate and form clots. This effect is generally beneficial for cardiovascular health in healthy individuals, but in combination with pharmaceutical anti-coagulants (Warfarin/Coumadin) or anti-platelet medications (aspirin, clopidogrel), the combined effect could produce excessive blood thinning. Individuals on these medications must consult a physician before adding any saffron supplement.†

How to Take Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals Saffron Extract

Take 1 capsule twice daily (morning and evening) with food or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Consistent twice-daily dosing is important — the 88.5mg per capsule at twice-daily dosing delivers 177mg total daily saffron extract, which aligns with the 30-88mg safranal-standardized range used in positive clinical research. Do not use during pregnancy. Consult a physician before use if taking anti-coagulant or anti-platelet medications, if you have a bleeding disorder, or if you have kidney disease. Not for persons under 18 without physician guidance. Store in a cool, dry place.†

Why Buy at Get Yok'd

• Real-time inventory across all five Southern California stores
• Available in Burbank, Glendale, Glendale Galleria, Pasadena, and North Hollywood
• Authorized Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals retailer — carrying the full Hi-Tech nutraceutical and wellness lineup
• Staff who can help you incorporate Saffron Extract into a comprehensive mood, cognitive, and wellness stack
• One of the best loyalty programs in the supplement industry — earn rewards on every purchase

Who Should Exercise Caution with Saffron Extract

• Avoid use during pregnancy — saffron at high doses has historically been used as an emmenagogue; supplemental use during pregnancy is contraindicated
• Individuals taking anti-coagulant medications (Warfarin/Coumadin, heparin) must consult a physician before use — saffron has mild anti-platelet activity that may compound blood-thinning effects
• Individuals taking anti-platelet medications (aspirin, clopidogrel) should consult a physician before use
• Individuals with bleeding disorders should consult a physician before use
• Individuals with kidney disease should consult a physician before use
• Individuals taking antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs) should consult a physician — saffron's serotonin reuptake inhibition may produce additive serotonergic effects when combined with pharmaceutical antidepressants
• Do not exceed the recommended dose — high-dose saffron (above 5g) is toxic; at supplemental doses this is not a concern, but dose adherence is important
• Not for persons under 18 without physician guidance
• Keep out of reach of children.

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.