Gastrodin

PhytochemicalPhenolic glycoside

What is it

Gastrodin is a phenolic glucoside isolated from the rhizome of Gastrodia elata, a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is sold as a standalone nootropic and is also the principal active component in many "brain shield" products.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Cognitive support

Mixed Evidence

Small human studies and traditional use suggest possible benefits for memory and cerebrovascular complaints, but high-quality randomized trials are lacking. Most evidence is from animal models.

How it works

Gastrodin is absorbed and partially hydrolyzed to its aglycone, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, which crosses the blood-brain barrier. In preclinical models it modulates GABA signaling, reduces oxidative stress, and has shown neuroprotective effects against ischemia and excitotoxic injury. Human data are limited but include small studies in vascular dementia, migraine, and tension headache. Effects on healthy users remain poorly characterized.

Dosage

DSLD does not report a standardized median dose. Commercial products commonly supply roughly 100-300 mg of gastrodin or Gastrodia extract standardized to gastrodin per day, divided into one or two doses. No RDA or upper limit exists.

When and how to take it

Often taken with or after food to minimize stomach upset. Some users split the dose into morning and afternoon.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Isolated gastrodin

Standardized to 98%+ purity; used in research and premium nootropic products.

Hydrolyzed to p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, which crosses the blood-brain barrier

Gastrodia elata rhizome extract

Whole-plant extract containing gastrodin plus polysaccharides and related phenolics.

Standardized to a percentage of gastrodin

Safety

Gastrodin and Gastrodia elata are generally well tolerated in short-term studies. Mild side effects include dizziness, dry mouth, and gastrointestinal upset. Long-term safety in healthy adults has not been thoroughly studied.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to insufficient data. Use caution if taking sedatives, benzodiazepines, or anticonvulsants. Discuss with a clinician if you have a seizure or neurological disorder.

Interactions

Theoretical additive effects with sedatives and anticonvulsants are possible given GABAergic activity. Quality interaction data are limited.

Frequently asked questions

Is gastrodin a stimulant?⌄

No. It is not a stimulant. It has been studied mainly for calming, neuroprotective, and anti-headache effects.

Does it work for migraines?⌄

Some small trials in China suggest possible benefit for migraine and tension headache, but Western high-quality evidence is limited.

References

Gastrodin on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Gastrodin (ChEBI:80828) — ChEBI link

Gastrodin (PubChem CID 115067) — PubChem link

Gastrodin on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Gastrodin (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Gastrodin with Pilora

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.