If you are working to reduce stress and anxiety, ashwagandha can be consumed at any time of the day. Some people find that taking it in the morning helps them start their day with a calm and clear mind, while others prefer to take it in the evening to help them relax before bed.
If you want to take advantage of ashwagandha's immune-boosting benefits, however, it's best to take it in the morning. This will give your body the whole day to absorb and make use of the herb's nutrients. No matter what time of day you take it, be sure to drink plenty of water when you take ashwagandha.
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 can take anywhere from 2-3 days to several weeks to work. Current research suggests it may take ten or more weeks to achieve maximum benefits related to stress and anxiety reduction [5].
If you are taking ashwagandha to help with sleep, it is generally recommended to take it in the evening before bed. This is because ashwagandha has a calming effect that can help promote relaxation and sleep. If you are working to reduce stress and anxiety, ashwagandha can be consumed at any time of the day.
"It can help with balancing stress levels, boosting mood, and helping with mental clarity and focus. There are also studies that show ashwagandha can help with inflammation and reduce pain."
What are the possible side effects of ashwagandha? Taking ashwagandha by mouth for up to 3 months seems to be safe. Large doses can lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, and, in rare cases, liver problems. Ashwagandha is probably unsafe for pregnant women because it might increase the risk of miscarriage.
Ashwagandha may have a calming effect on anxiety symptoms when compared with the drug lorazepam, a sedative and anxiety medication. A 2000 study suggested that the herb had a comparable anxiety-reducing effect with lorazepam, suggesting that ashwagandha might be as effective for reducing anxiety.
Since ashwagandha may improve muscle strength, there is a possibility that weight gain could occur in the form of muscle mass. This is correlated to new muscle growth as body composition changes in a positive way.
Ashwagandha is not known to cause drowsiness or make people tired. Studies have shown that ashwagandha helps boost overall energy levels and manage fatigue.
Ashwagandha as a Sleep Aid. Preliminary research has found that ashwagandha may help people fall asleep faster, spend more time asleep, and experience better sleep quality. View Source . After taking ashwagandha for six weeks, participants in one actigraphy-based study described their sleep as being 72% better.
Ashwagandha is not appropriate for people who have certain health conditions, such as hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. You should also avoid it during pregnancy.
Ashwagandha and magnesium may have a synergistic effect on sleep. Combining these two supplements can produce a calm drowsy feeling. If you take them together before bed, they will induce a natural tranquil sleep state.
Ashwagandha can increase immune response, so it's recommended that individuals with autoimmune diseases (such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, or other conditions) avoid taking ashwagandha [1].
They could interact with sedatives, blood thinners, thyroid supplements, drugs that suppress the immune system, and drugs for anxiety, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Ashwagandha might also interact with supplements that cause sleepiness, like St. John's wort, kava, valerian, and others.
In general, it's not recommended to mix ashwagandha with alcohol. If you plan to drink, save your use of ashwagandha for later use. Always speak with your healthcare provider before incorporating ashwagandha into your life. But all in all, we recommend cutting down on alcohol to experience your optimal well-being.
As for the numb feeling that TikTok users claim to get, it's possible that some people experience an easing of their stress and anxiety as blunting emotions overall, Dr. Ring said. “But in my experience, and in the 1,000 years that it's been used, that is generally not the effect,” she said.
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.
Does Ashwagandha Balance Female Hormones? Yes, Ashwagandha helps in balancing female hormones. Research claims that It helps normalise blood cortisol levels and thyroid hormones. It even regulates reproductive hormones that aid in PCOS and period cramps.
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb clinically shown to help reduce stress and regulate cortisol levels, enhance focus and mental stamina, and reduce irritability and stress-related cravings.