Overall, the studies found that ashwagandha significantly reduced stress and anxiety levels (subjectively measured by validated rating scales), reduced sleeplessness and fatigue, and reduced serum cortisol levels (a stress hormone) when compared with placebo.
How long does it take for ashwagandha to work? That varies from person to person, just as it does when people try a new medication. I recommend taking ashwagandha for at least three months to see if you notice a difference. Typically, in four to 12 weeks, you'll notice feeling calmer and probably sleeping better.
In some individuals, ashwagandha preparations may cause drowsiness, stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting. Although it is rare, there have been a number of cases that link liver injury to ashwagandha supplements. Ashwagandha should be avoided during pregnancy and should not be used while breastfeeding.
Until more is known, people with liver disease should avoid taking ashwagandha. Surgery: Ashwagandha may slow down the central nervous system. Healthcare providers worry that anesthesia and other medications during and after surgery might increase this effect.
Can ashwagandha cause a false positive drug test? The Department of Defense Dietary Supplement Resource notes that ashwagandha should not produce a positive result on a routine military drug screening test.
Although it is rare, some people have gotten liver injuries from taking ashwagandha supplements. In most cases, the liver heals itself within 1 to 3 months of discontinuing the supplement. Most studies of ashwagandha have only looked at people taking it for up to 3 months, so the herb's long-term effects aren't known.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herbal supplement that people take to help with stress, anxiety, and sleep. You should avoid taking it with sedatives, such as benzodiazepines and sleep medications. The combination can raise the risk of excessive drowsiness.
Vitamins that help with stress include vitamin D, C, and B complex. Other potentially helpful supplements include ashwagandha, L-theanine, magnesium, melatonin, and ginseng. Modern lifestyles can be high-pressure, so stress has become an inevitable part of many people's lives.
Overall, the studies found that ashwagandha significantly reduced stress and anxiety levels (subjectively measured by validated rating scales), reduced sleeplessness and fatigue, and reduced serum cortisol levels (a stress hormone) when compared with placebo.
The DVFA's official website states: “Do not eat Ashwagandha or supplements containing Ashwagandha because its root has negative effects on sex hormones and reproduction for both men and women.
You can take the supplement any time of day that works for you, as long as you remember to take it daily. Taking it at night can be better if you experience side effects or hope it will help you sleep—but taking it in the morning may be better for other uses, like improved cognition.
Muscle strength and recovery: Research indicates that ashwagandha can increase muscle mass and strength. One study found that participants taking ashwagandha daily had a higher increase in muscle strength and size than those on a placebo. It also helped reduce muscle damage, leading to faster recovery times.
While some people experience short-term benefits while using ashwagandha, many others experience negative emotional and physical side effects when using it. These ashwagandha side effects include an emotionally blunt affect—feeling flat and emotionally numb.
If you feel more relaxed or able to handle stressful situations better, it's a clear sign that Ashwagandha is working its magic. Many people report that they begin to feel calmer after a few weeks of use.
In short, Ashwagandha's ability to lower cortisol levels leads to its unstressing prowess. Meanwhile, Magnesium more broadly aids stress relief and management, given its influence on cellular health, nervous system regulation, and permitting your body to function as it should.
Valerian. In some studies, people who used valerian reported less anxiety and stress.
The disadvantages of ashwaganda include possible liver damage, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, and potential aggravation of autoimmunity. Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub originating from Asia and Africa. The list of reported ashwagandha benefits is long and the herb is often used for its medicinal qualities.
Ashwagandha should not be combined with medications: for thyroid, blood thinners, immunosuppressants, sleeping pills, sedatives, antihistamines, antidiabetics, contraceptives, antiepileptics and blood pressure regulators . Combining it with these agents may, for example, increase sedative effects.
“Melatonin is most effective for helping sleep, but also helps with nighttime acid reflux, along with antioxidant, immune, and neuroprotective benefits,” he says. “Ashwagandha helps sleep as one of its modest components, but does also help energy, cognition, stress, and other functions.
Yes, taking ashwagandha daily is safe, but people should never take it beyond the recommended doses or periods. Ashwagandha may have contaminates, such as dirt and heavy metals, so processing it to get its purest form is necessary.
Other OTC supplements can also cause vivid dreams. For example, valerian and ashwagandha are both used for anxiety and insomnia and can affect your dreams. These herbal supplements also have other side effects and drug interactions you should know about before taking them.
Magnesium is involved in numerous bodily functions, and supplements can address a wide range of conditions. Both ashwagandha and magnesium are available in a range of oral supplement forms and can support mental health and sleep. Taking both supplements together is generally safe and may enhance their effects.