I've been taking Rhodiola for about a week now. For the first 6 days I took the NOW Foods brand which has 500 mg Rhodiola standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside in one capsule. After that I started taking Vitacost's brand which has 350 mg Rhodiola also standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside in one capsule. Since around the 4th or 5th day of starting Rhodiola I noticed my nipples becoming puffier. I've taken Rhodiola in the past and it's always given me this side effect.
Rhodiola increases 5-HT1A receptors in the brain and this receptor increases cortisol and prolactin release according to Wikipedia.
Rhodiola rosea has been used for centuries in the traditional medicine to stimulate nervous system, to enhance physical and mental performance and to treat fatigue. It is known that administration of Rhodiola rosea extract elicits antidepressant activity, but the mechanism of action still remains unclear. Evidence from animal models and human studies show that nicotine reduces symptoms of depression and that nicotine cessation induces depressive-like symptoms. We investigated the effects of Rhodiola rosea on nicotine withdrawal signs. Nicotine dependence was induced by subcutaneous nicotine injection (2 mg/kg, four times daily) for 14 days. Another group of animals treated with nicotine (for 14 days) and successively with Rhodiola rosea extract was co-administered with selective 5-HT receptorial antagonist WAY 100635 (1 mg/kg). After nicotine withdrawal animals were evaluated for behavioural parameters (locomotor activity, abstinence signs, marble burying test), diencephalic serotonin metabolism and serotonin receptor-1A expression. [b]Results show a significant increase of 5-HT content in N treated with R. rosea, with a significant increase of serotonin receptor 1A[/b], suggesting an involvement of serotonin in beneficial effects of R. rosea on suffering produced by nicotine withdrawal.
[url]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22921986[/url]
What can I do to decrease prolactin? Would Jiaogulan help?
