Saffron and Ginkgo Rollercoaster

[nickwarrior5]

This happens every time I take Saffron, especially with Ginkgo. At first it helps my libido, then the saffron overtime numbs my emotions, my penis, and my libido. Once I get off the saffron and continue the Ginkgo, I get insane euphoria and libido for two weeks at least.

Last cycle when I stopped Ginkgo and did saffron right after my libido was through the roof and had zero anhedonia for two weeks before the numbness happened again with saffron. When I stopped it and did Ginkgo, I had zero anhedonia again. I'm not sure what's causing the rollercoaster.

I read that Saffron is a 5ht1a agonist on some studies as well as a 5ht2c antagonist. 5ht2c has atypical properties of downregulate. I assume the 5ht2c is being downregulated cause my hunger is increased every saffron cycle. I also read studies on Ginkgo helping 5ht1a. I might be causing high 5ht1a and low 5ht2c only sometimes, causing the libido surge ocassionaly. Saffron being a agonist of 5ht1a would help then hurt overtime.

Edit: Also want to add that I take schisandra everyday.

[nickwarrior5]

Here's the studies:

Saffron and 5ht1a/5ht2a: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9783496/

Saffron and 5ht2c: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/do ... .2021.6669

5ht2c atypical downregulation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12650852/

Ginkgo and 5ht1a in aged rats: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8051617 ... 20membrane.

[nickwarrior5]

Update: When I lower schisandra dose, the saffron works better for my anhedonia. Due to 5ht2c potential modulation by schisandra, it lowered the saffron 5ht2c antangonist. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20804838/

[nickwarrior5]

Update: When I exercise then take saffron, my libido is through the roof again. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sy ... 67420/full