A supplement you may never have heard of could do everything from increasing your energy and stamina to reducing stress and anxiety to treating depression.

While it may not be on most Americans’ radar, the Russians have known it for a long time – and The Soviet Union even gave it to its Olympianscosmonauts and soldiers to improve their performance, improve their mood and increase their energy.

In the 1970s, the USSR Ministry of Defense conducted top-secret tests in Siberia to find herbal solutions that could help its soldiers in Afghanistan, National geographic reported.

One of the plants they tested and had success with was Rhodiola rosea, a succulent plant that grows in cold, high-altitude climates – and they found that soldiers who took it remained energetic during exercises of sleep deprivation.

“It energizes you without making you crash or burn,” Patricia Gerbarg, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at New York Medical College, told National Geographic.

They then offered it to the cosmonauts at Russian space station – who were put in a better mood – and Olympic athleteswho saw his endurance and recovery improve.

“This was considered a Soviet military secret,” said Dr. Petra Illig, founder of Alaska Rhodiola Products. Slate. “Most of what was being done at the time was unpublished and hidden in drawers in Moscow. They used it for the physical and mental performance of their soldiers and athletes.

Although no one was allowed to talk about the tests, a Russian researcher later smuggled confidential documents into the United States.

More recently, Rhodiola has started to establish itself more herewith countless brands selling versions of different wattages.

On Amazon, a $14.99 option from the brand Bronson has over 5,100 reviews, with buyers calling it “so calming” and saying “my overall energy has increased as well as my mood.” Another $17.94 bottle from the brand NOW has over 3,200 ratings, with one reviewer calling it a “miracle” for anxiety and saying it “has radically changed my life for the better.”

Although the Soviets seemed impressed by the results, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health cautions that only preliminary research indicates the benefits of Rhodiola and that more rigorous studies need to be conducted.

However, these preliminary studies seem promising: led by Samford University in 2021, Rhodiola was found to increase the speed at which men could bench press, concluding that it could “enhance explosive resistance training performance”. However, they also found that it could impair upper body strength and endurance.

Another study on women found that this led to better performance during anaerobic exercises, such as sprinting or weightlifting.

“Rhodiola rosea is classified as adaptogenmeaning it can help the body adapt to stress and promote overall resilience,” said registered dietitian Chrissy Arsenault. Forbes.

As for moods, a 2017 study found that the plant alleviated people’s symptoms of stress, while another study concluded that it could be effective in treating stress-related fatigue. Other research indicated that Rhodiola can also reduce symptoms of depression, combat fatigue, and improve memory and concentration.

Possible side effects include dizziness, dry mouth, excessive saliva, low blood pressure, and hypoglycemia.