What kind of interaction is it?

Caution: an interaction that may reduce efficacy or raise side-effect risk and warrants monitoring.

Is this interaction backed by published research?

Yes. NutriStack lists 1 citation row for the Crocin (Saffron Extract) + St. John's Wort pair, each linking to PubMed by PMID where available. Full sourcing methodology at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/interactions.

Supplement × Supplement·a caution·Emerging evidence

Crocin (Saffron Extract) + St. John's Wort

Q: Can I take Crocin (Saffron Extract) and St. John's Wort together?

Possibly, but with caution. Crocin (Saffron Extract) and St. John's Wort have a documented caution-tier interaction. Both saffron and St. John's Wort have serotonergic activity. Combining them may additively increase serotonergic tone and, in theory, the risk of serotonin excess, particularly if other serotonergic agents are present.

Q: How does this affect a NutriStack Stack Score?

-5 to your Stack Score per scored caution row.

Caution Emerging evidence

Both saffron and St. John's Wort have serotonergic activity. Combining them may additively increase serotonergic tone and, in theory, the risk of serotonin excess, particularly if other serotonergic agents are present.

Supplement × Supplement

Open the interaction checker → Read the methodology

From the database

What the row says.

Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, and the recommendation.

Substances

Crocin (Saffron Extract) and St. John's Wort

Pair type

Caution

Evidence

Emerging

Source citations

Scope

Supplement × Supplement

Last verified

June 4, 2026

CautionEmerging evidence

What is happening. Both saffron and St. John's Wort have serotonergic activity. Combining them may additively increase serotonergic tone and, in theory, the risk of serotonin excess, particularly if other serotonergic agents are present.

Mechanism. Additive enhancement of serotonergic signaling; St. John's Wort inhibits serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine reuptake while saffron constituents also modulate serotonin reuptake.

Recommendation. Avoid routine combination unless supervised by a clinician. Do not stack with prescription antidepressants. Watch for agitation, sweating, tremor, rapid heartbeat, or confusion.

Stack Score

How it moves the number.

Effect on the composite score

If both Crocin (Saffron Extract) and St. John's Wort are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).

The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are at /methodology/stack-score.

Sources

Sources, by evidence tier.

Every claim on this page is cited. PMIDs link straight to PubMed.

Reference material

1Lopresti AL, Drummond PD. Saffron (Crocus sativus) for depression: a systematic review of clinical studies and examination of underlying antidepressant mechanisms of action. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2014.Needs sourceNo link

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