Effects of Crocin Supplementation on Clinical Symptoms, Cognitive Function and Psychological Status in Methamphetamine Users: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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AuthorMorteza Zamani Asadolah-Poor-Kashien
AuthorHamid Reza Banafsheen
AuthorMehrdad Simanien
AuthorFatemeh Sadat Ghoreishien
AuthorZahra Zanjanien
AuthorAmir Ghaderien
OrcidMorteza Zamani Asadolah-Poor-Kashi [0000-0002-2045-4638]en
OrcidHamid Reza Banafshe [0000-0003-4450-8861]en
OrcidMehrdad Simani [0000-0002-1100-9989]en
OrcidFatemeh Sadat Ghoreishi [0000-0002-5926-7215]en
OrcidZahra Zanjani [0000-0003-4450-9397]en
OrcidAmir Ghaderi [0000-0001-9193-6039]en
Issued Date2026-05-31en
AbstractBackground: Concurrent methamphetamine (METH) use among patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is a growing clinical concern associated with cognitive impairment, psychological distress, and an increased risk of relapse. Crocin (CRO), a bioactive constituent of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of CRO supplementation on withdrawal symptoms, craving, sleep quality, cognitive performance, and psychological status in METH users undergoing MMT. Methods: In this trial, 80 male METH users receiving stable MMT were randomly assigned to CRO (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40) for 8 weeks. All analyses were performed according to the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle and included all 80 randomized participants. The primary outcomes were withdrawal symptoms, assessed with the Amphetamine Withdrawal Questionnaire (AWQ), and craving, measured with the Drug Desire Questionnaire (DDQ). Secondary outcomes were sleep quality (PSQI), sexual function (IIEF), cognitive performance (CAQ), and psychological status (DASS-21). Results: In the ITT analysis (n = 80), CRO significantly reduced withdrawal symptoms (P = 0.036, η2p=0.091) and craving (P = 0.024, η2p=0.110) compared with placebo. Significant improvements were also observed in sleep quality (P = 0.025, η2p=0.103), anxiety (P < 0.008, η2p=0.157), and depression (P = 0.014, η2p=0.126). No significant effects were observed for sexual function, cognitive performance, or stress (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this clinical trial indicate that CRO supplementation, administered as a safe and potentially effective adjunct to MMT, may significantly attenuate withdrawal symptoms, reduce craving intensity, improve sleep quality, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression among individuals with METH use disorder. However, the lack of statistically significant improvements in cognitive performance, sexual function, and perceived stress underscores the multifactorial complexity of these clinical domains and highlights the need for further empirical investigation. It is plausible that cognitive deficits resulting from chronic METH exposure, given their putative neurostructural and neurofunctional underpinnings, may require longer treatment durations or integrative therapeutic strategies. Moreover, sexual dysfunction in this patient population is likely mediated by a confluence of physiological, psychological, and psychosocial factors and, as such, may not be readily ameliorated through antioxidant monotherapy alone.en
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5812/jjnpp-172452en
URIhttps://brieflands.com/journals/jjnpp/articles/172452en
KeywordCrocinen
KeywordMethamphetamineen
KeywordMethadone Maintenance Treatmenten
KeywordCravingen
KeywordWithdrawal Symptomsen
KeywordCognitive Functionen
KeywordPsychological Statusen
PublisherBrieflandsen
TitleEffects of Crocin Supplementation on Clinical Symptoms, Cognitive Function and Psychological Status in Methamphetamine Users: A Randomized Controlled Trialen
TypeResearch Articleen

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