Can Maca Root Improve Your Mood?

When you think of maca root, you probably think of a few particular benefits - namely, its ability to boost your libido and fertility as well as its energy-enhancing properties. But there’s so much more to maca than that! For example: Did you know that regular consumption of maca has been associated with improvements in emotional state?

Maca for Stress and Anxiety

According to the American Psychological Association, more than a quarter of Americans surveyed in 2022 reported being so stressed out by their daily lives that they could hardly function; and nearly 70% reported suffering from extreme anxiety on a regular basis. There are so many negative ways that stress can negatively impact not just your mind, but your body! Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, and more.

But there are some ways you can stave off these effects. In 2014, researchers found that “maca extract 250 and 500 mg/kg) showed antidepressant-like effects” in mice subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress. That’s not to say that maca root is a substitute for pharmaceutical treatments. Every body, and therefore every brain, is entirely unique. Like with any medical condition, it’s important to consult with your licensed medical practitioner in order to find a treatment that works for you.

Maca for Depression 

So what else can maca do for you and your mood? In 2015, the results of a randomized controlled trial performed over 12 weeks suggested that regular maca consumption by postmenopausal women decreased diastolic blood pressure as well as symptoms of depression. Even in cases where no apparent physiologically significant activity was observed, the results have been consistent - in comparison with participants given a placebo, those who took about 3.5g a day of maca root demonstrated reduced effects of anxiety and depression. In short, scientists aren’t quite sure how maca works to mitigate some symptoms of depression - they just know that it does. Our page on Maca for Depression contains more helpful tips and information for those considering incorporating maca into their diet in order to combat depression.

How Does Maca Affect Your Mood?

We have a whole page full of information on the ways maca can affect your emotional state! But to sum things up, here are some of the basics:

• Maca contains flavonoids, which are linked to improving mood and reducing anxiety.
• Maca is considered an adaptogen. Adaptogens are naturally occurring substances that help the body achieve some sense of balance, and that can mean a balance of anything from hormones to - you guessed it - your mood.
• Maca is rich in nutrients. This abundance of key nutrients including vitamins B1 and B2, calcium, magnesium, and more nourishes your body and its ability to respond to outside stressors, whether they’re physical or psychological.
• Maca is also known to support optimal hormone balance. Hormones such as dopamine, cortisol, serotonin, and adrenaline all impact our feelings and moods. When these are in a state of balance we tend to feel more optimism and overall happiness.

In short, maca is a nutritional powerhouse chock-full of things that are good for you. These building blocks of maca drive its ability to alter your mood, leading to an improved sense of overall wellbeing.

Getting Started With Maca

It’s important to note that maca should be part of a balanced diet and exercise routine, and that it will take a few weeks of regular consumption before you may begin to see the real impact of maca on your health.

Our Maca Finder selection tool allows you to input information about yourself and what you’d like maca to help you achieve before suggesting a maca product for you. All of our organic maca products are certified Fair Trade and non-GMO, so whether you’re getting the most for your money with one of our raw maca powders or taking a few droppers of our convenient maca liquid extracts, you’re getting something that’s good for you. 

Why Buy From The Maca Team?

The Maca Team is committed to providing only the best organic Peruvian maca out there, and we believe our hard work will benefit you.

It’s more important than ever to make good decisions for yourself and your body - and that includes your mood. So give our maca a try! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. You can Contact Us using our web form, or call us toll-free at 888-919-8616.

Enjoy the Day!