What happens to your body when you take ashwagandha?
Evidence from a small number of studies suggests that taking ashwagandha extract may improve several aspects of sleep, including sleep quality, sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and sleep latency. These benefits tend to be more pronounced among people with insomnia. Ashwagandha might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking ashwagandha with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.Ashwagandha might make people drowsy or sleepy. So combining sedative-hypnotic medications (used to help with sleep) with ashwagandha might make people too sleepy. Examples of these sedatives are zoldipem, eszoplicone, clonazepam, quetiapine, and lorazepam.Keep in mind that most studies highlight ashwagandha’s sleep benefits over an extended period, often spanning several weeks. Some individuals might experience a surge in energy shortly after consuming the herb, which could potentially disrupt sleep if taken right before bedtime.If you could benefit from overall stress reduction that’s impacting your sleep, Ashwagandha might be a better option. But if you have trouble falling asleep because of disruptions to your circadian rhythms, like shift work or jet lag, a gentle Melatonin supplement might be for you.Ashwagandha is an ancient medicinal herb with various possible health benefits. Study findings suggest that it may help reduce anxiety and stress, support restful sleep, and even improve cognitive functioning in certain populations. Ashwagandha is likely safe for most people in the short term.
What are the positives and negatives of ashwagandha?
People commonly use ashwagandha for anxiety, insomnia, and stress. It is also used for asthma, athletic performance, back pain, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using ashwagandha for COVID-19. Ashwagandha can help support relaxation, as well as mental and physical wellbeing. You can take ashwagandha with vitamin D if it suits your routine, and you’ll find that some people include both as part of their daily supplement regime.While ashwagandha is generally known for its calming properties, it may potentially trigger anxiety in some individuals. People’s reactions to ashwagandha may vary due to their individual body chemistry. What might relax one person could make another more anxious.The idea is that ashwagandha is an adaptogen, which are plants that can reduce the amount of cortisol (stress hormone) your body releases,” Dr. Lin reports. Less cortisol can mean you feel less stressed mentally, and it can lessen the physical effects of stress.Common side effects are mild and include stomach upset, loose stools, nausea, and drowsiness [8,21]. Increased heart rate variability has also been reported [17]. Evidence on the safety of using ashwagandha over many months or years is lacking.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.
What is more powerful than ashwagandha?
Rhodiola enhances mental performance, while Ashwagandha has milder cognitive effects. Ashwagandha supports adrenal health but may impact motivation; Rhodiola balances stress without hormonal disruption. Rhodiola is ideal for energy and focus, while Ashwagandha suits those needing relaxation. The time it takes for ashwagandha to work for sleep can vary among individuals. Generally, many studies suggest that noticeable improvements in sleep quality and relaxation might happen after a few weeks of consistent use. However, some individuals might experience more immediate effects.Ashwagandha supports energy balance, while Multivitamin fuels your metabolism with B-complex & minerals – keeping you active from morning to night. Ashwagandha reduces cortisol and supports calmer moods, while antioxidants in Multivitamin fight oxidative stress – keeping both body & mind in balance.After one week of taking ashwagandha, some users have reported feeling a more balanced mood. Studies have found that after just one week of taking ashwagandha daily, participants experienced a decrease in anxiety and stress levels.If you feel energized after taking ashwagandha, morning is ideal. For stress and energy, morning may be the best time to take ashwagandha. For sleep and relaxation, evening use may work better. Some people benefit from splitting their dose between morning and night.
Should I take ashwagandha at night or morning?
Generally, ashwagandha is taken before bedtime to help with sleep, but you can take it in the morning if you find it more activating. Some people respond quickly to ashwagandha, while others take more time. Usually, patients notice subtle effects within one month. Herbs shouldn’t be taken indefinitely. 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.Generally, ashwagandha is taken before bedtime to help with sleep, but you can take it in the morning if you find it more activating. Some people respond quickly to ashwagandha, while others take more time. Usually, patients notice subtle effects within one month. Herbs shouldn’t be taken indefinitely.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. The safety of taking ashwagandha beyond a year has not been studied, so it’s best to take breaks from the supplement.One study found that taking ashwagandha daily can help reduce fatigue and improve recovery after exercise. Another study found healthy young adults who took 500 milligrams of ashwagandha daily for 8 weeks had more speed and strength during exercise than people who took a placebo.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.
Who should avoid ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha should be avoided during pregnancy and should not be used while breastfeeding. Ashwagandha is not recommended for people who are about to have surgery, or for those who have autoimmune or thyroid disorders. Some people who use ashwagandha report side effects such as stomach upset, loose bowel movements or diarrhea and nausea. For the most part, though, it is considered to be safe for regular use over the course of three months. Information on prolonged use is not available.Most cases of ashwagandha associated liver injury have been mild-to-moderate in severity and self-limited in course, but fatal cases due to acute liver failure or acute-on-chronic liver failure have been described.Based on the available evidence, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) recommends that especially children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and people with acute or pre-existing liver disease should not take supplements containing ashwagandha.Studies suggest that most people can take ashwagandha for up to three months without experiencing significant side effects. Ashwagandha may produce some side effects, however. More serious side effects, like liver problems, are rare and won’t be a problem for most people.