Taking Rhodiola With Ketamine: What to Know
Rhodiola (Rhodiola Rosea) — Adaptogenic herb
Verdict at Tovani Health
Compatible; mild monoamine effects warrant disclosure but not avoidance.
Rhodiola and ketamine are compatible at typical OTC doses. Rhodiola has been shown in some studies to mildly inhibit MAO and modestly affect serotonin and dopamine activity. The theoretical interaction with ketamine is small, but worth disclosing alongside any prescription serotonergic medications.
If you take Rhodiola regularly and are considering at-home ketamine therapy, the combination is safe with monitoring or modest dose adjustment. This page covers the brief pharmacologic context and what we do at intake.
How Rhodiola interacts with ketamine
Rhodiola contains salidroside and rosavin compounds with adaptogenic effects on the HPA axis. Some preclinical data suggests weak MAO inhibition and monoamine modulation, but clinical relevance at supplement doses is debated.
What we do at intake
Disclose dose, brand, and frequency. Standardized extracts (3% rosavin, 1% salidroside) have more consistent potency.
Bottom line
Rhodiola and ketamine are compatible at typical OTC doses. Rhodiola has been shown in some studies to mildly inhibit MAO and modestly affect serotonin and dopamine activity. The theoretical interaction with ketamine is small, but worth disclosing alongside any prescription serotonergic medications.
Ready to find out if at-home ketamine fits your situation?
We’ll note that you’re on Rhodiola (Rhodiola Rosea) at intake. The eligibility check takes 5 minutes and gives you an honest answer about whether at-home ketamine fits your specific situation.
FL and NJ residents only. Benjamin Soffer, DO — Tovani Health.
Sources
The verdict and clinical guidance on this page are based on the following peer-reviewed literature and FDA prescribing information.
- Herb-drug interactions and toxicity: Underscoring potential mechanisms and forecasting clinically relevant interactions. Suroowan S, Abdallah HH, Mahomoodally MF. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2021. PMID: 34293424
- Pharmacodynamic Interactions Between Ketamine and Psychiatric Medications Used in the Treatment of Depression: A Systematic Review. Veraart JKE, Smith-Apeldoorn SY, Bakker IM. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. 2021. PMID: 34170315
Clinically reviewed
Reviewed by Benjamin Soffer, DO on May 17, 2026. Dr. Soffer is a board-certified physician (American Board of Internal Medicine) licensed in Florida and New Jersey, prescribing at-home ketamine therapy through Tovani Health.
This page is general information about how this medication interacts with at-home ketamine therapy at Tovani Health. It is not a substitute for medical advice from your prescribing physician about your specific situation. Always discuss medication changes with the doctor who prescribed them.