Thread by @mchale_in_flow

In the 1970s, Russia gave Rhodiola Rosea to Olympic athletes.

It was one of the largest experiments on human performance ever conducted.

The results were so powerful, Soviet scientists classified it as a military secret.

Here’s what happens when you take the “golden root”: 🧵

1. What is Rhodiola Rosea?

Rhodiola Rosea is an Arctic root that grows in the harsh mountains of Siberia.

For over 2,000 years, locals used it to survive brutal winters and high altitudes.

But here's what most people don't know...

2. The Soviet Military Secret

During the Cold War, Soviet scientists tested nearly 200 herbal remedies.

They were searching for the ultimate performance enhancer for their athletes, soldiers, and cosmonauts.

Only 5 plants made the cut. Rhodiola was #1.

The government classified this research as "top military secret."

Scientists were banned from publishing findings outside Russia.

Why? Because the results were too good to share with the enemy.

Russian biathletes could shoot targets without shaking after grueling 20km races.

Cosmonauts stayed mentally sharp during 6-month space missions.

Soldiers remained alert through 72-hour sleep deprivation tests in Afghanistan.

The secret weapon? 225mg of Rhodiola extract.

3. How Rhodiola Actually Works

Unlike synthetic stimulants, Rhodiola doesn't flood your system with artificial chemicals.

It works by enhancing your brain's natural neurotransmitters: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

But here's the key difference...

Adderall forces your brain to release more dopamine.

Rhodiola prevents the enzymes that destroy dopamine from working.

Think of it as fixing a leaky bucket instead of just adding more water.

The result? Sustained energy without the crash.

4. Rhodiola vs. Synthetic Stimulants

Adderall: Tolerance builds in weeks. Crash is inevitable. Addiction potential.

Caffeine: Tolerance in days. Anxiety and jitters. Sleep disruption.

Rhodiola: No tolerance. No crash. No addiction. Can take daily for years.

A 2015 study compared Rhodiola directly to Zoloft for depression.

Rhodiola was almost as effective but with far fewer side effects.

The kicker? It's completely natural and costs 90% less than prescription drugs.

5. The Optimal Protocol

• Dosage: 200-400mg on empty stomach
• Timing: Morning or early afternoon (never before bed)

Look for: 3% rosavins, 1% salidroside standardization

Duration: Effects start in 2-3 weeks, peak at 4-6 weeks.

6. Why Your Doctor Doesn't Know

Rhodiola can't be patented because it's natural.

No patent = no billion-dollar marketing budget.

Big Pharma has zero incentive to promote something that competes with their $500/month stimulant prescriptions.

7. The Bottom Line

Soviet athletes dominated Olympics for decades.

Their cosmonauts outperformed NASA in space endurance.

Their secret? A 2,000-year-old Arctic root that costs less than your daily coffee.

P.S. For those who are curious about what I use:

I take FlowVeda. It's a mix of the most powerful ayurvedic ingredients to increase focus, clarity, and presence (including Rhodiola Rosea).

It's 3rd party tested, natural, & made in the US.

Try it out:
flowveda.com/products/flowv…

Thanks for reading.

What are your thoughts on this? Let me know below.

& If you enjoyed this thread...

Follow me @mchale_in_flow for more health-related content like this.

Repost the first tweet to help more people see it.