Curcumin

Curcumin

Best for

Ease arthritis pain and joint inflammation

Likely strong benefit · 90–2000 mg/day for 8–13 weeks · 2 meta-analyses , n=1.3k

73 papers · 13 claims · 147 outcomes scored · 12 positive

Outcomes

What curcumin actually does, by outcome

Each row is one outcome with effect size, evidence base, the dose that worked in trials, and time to first effect. Magnitude tiers come from native-unit MCID where available, Cohen's d otherwise.

Outcome Effect Evidence Dose Weeks Rank
Ease arthritis pain and joint inflammation Likely strong benefit
large
4 meta-analyses n=1.3k Meta-analyzed 90–2000 mg 8–13 wk #2/21
Ease psoriasis plaques Large effect, needs confirmation
large
1 meta-analysis n=78 Meta-analyzed 80–6000 mg 12 wk #1/2
Ease joint pain Likely benefit
moderate
5 meta-analyses n=1.3k Meta-analyzed 90–2000 mg 8–26 wk #3/18
Ease rheumatoid arthritis symptoms Likely modest benefit
small
3 meta-analyses n=631 Meta-analyzed 80–6000 mg 10 wk #1/6
Fall asleep faster Faint early signal
small
3 RCTs n=225 500 mg 8–12 wk #6/19
Improve overall digestive comfort Faint early signal
small
2 RCTs n=101 500–1500 mg 8–13 wk #2/9
Reduce everyday pain intensity Proven but unnoticeable
trivial
10 meta-analyses n=9.3k Meta-analyzed 150–4000 mg 1–13 wk
Lower day-to-day anxiety Proven but unnoticeable
trivial
3 meta-analyses n=1.3k Meta-analyzed 80–3000 mg 8 wk #10/48
Ease anxiety in older adults Proven but unnoticeable
trivial
3 meta-analyses n=1.3k Meta-analyzed 80–3000 mg 8 wk #10/45
Reduce pre-competition anxiety Proven but unnoticeable
trivial
3 meta-analyses n=1.3k Meta-analyzed 80–3000 mg 8 wk #10/45
Loosen stiff joints Proven but unnoticeable
trivial
2 meta-analyses n=806 Meta-analyzed 90–2000 mg 13 wk #5/9
Ease indigestion and heartburn Not enough research
trivial
2 RCTs n=101 500–1500 mg 8–13 wk #4/11
Break the insomnia cycle Probably doesn't help
trivial
1 RCT n=117 500 mg

Risk profile

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Safety events

hepatotoxicity_by_usnic_acid severe
nausea mild
nausea; loose stools mild
gastrointestinal events (bloating, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation) mild
vomiting mild
stomach pain / dyspepsia / gastro-esophageal reflux mild
meteorism (abdominal bloating) mild
weight gain mild

Sources

  1. 1. Efficacy of curcumin and Boswellia for knee osteoarthritis: Systematic review and meta-analysis. (2018)
  2. 2. The efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa extract and curcumin supplements on osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2021)
  3. 3. An Investigation into the Effects of a Curcumin Extract (Curcugen®) on Osteoarthritis Pain of the Knee: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. (2021)
  4. 4. Efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with hand osteoarthritis: a pilot double-blinded randomised controlled trial. (2025)
  5. 5. Influence of CurQfen®-curcumin on cognitive impairment: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 3-arm, 3-sequence comparative study. (2023)
  6. 6. Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. (2016)
  7. 7. Effect of curcumin on rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2023)
  8. 8. Curcumin and Curcuma longa Extract in the Treatment of 10 Types of Autoimmune Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 31 Randomized Controlled Trials. (2022)
  9. 9. Effect of curcumin on inflammatory markers and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A meta-analysis. (2025)
  10. 10. Efficacy of a curcumin extract (Curcugen™) on gastrointestinal symptoms and intestinal microbiota in adults with self-reported digestive complaints: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. (2021)

Generated August 14, 2026

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