Joining the ranks of ashwagandha and L-theanine , saffron is quickly taking its place as the buzzy new mental health supplement in town. Benefits of SaffronBeyond its role in the kitchen, saffron has attracted attention for its potential health benefits. In fact, several trials have found that standardized saffron extract may improve depression and anxiety symptoms better than a placebo, with other small studies reporting saffron benefits similar to low-dose antidepressants like Zoloft and Prozac. All that said, Dr. Genovese and Dr. Ni both emphasize that saffron is not on equal footing with those FDA-approved therapies. “This is important because dietary supplements are subject to significantly less stringent regulatory scrutiny than pharmaceutical agents,” Dr. Genovese says.