According to research, nearly 80% of adults in the United States report feeling stressed out on a regular basis. Even though we live in environments that are fairly safe and predictable, we just can’t seem to get our stress levels under control.
When stress levels rise past normal parameters, it can cause some of our most critical systems to be derailed, including:
Since the pandemic started, it has become clear that none of us are immune to stress- we can all be affected by it. It’s no wonder people are downloading and subscribing to stress relief apps, learning the practice of yoga and meditation, and taking the plunge into adaptogens, such as ashwagandha.
For centuries, ashwagandha has been a staple in ayurvedic medicine as a way to restore calm/focus, improve sleep, and relieve stress. Recently, this traditional Eastern remedy has made its way into the Western world. Unfortunately, this has led to a flood of companies on the market. Some of them are reputable, while others are not. They are more concerned with profit than manufacturing a product that is safe and effective.
As you land in the market, you will find many ashwagandha supplements that claim to deliver the best anxiety relief results along with muscle mass enhancement benefits. However, a limited number of herbal supplements among them can genuinely help you. Naturally, the task of shortlisting the top ashwagandha supplements becomes more complicated.
With all the dietary supplements on the market, it can be hard to find the right one. Don’t worry though; that’s what we’re here for. We’ll help unravel some of the confusion around this supplement, including what you should look for and what you should avoid.
In addition, we’ll give you our top 20 favorite ashwagandha supplements. Hopefully, we can help you decide if this is something you want to try- and if you do, which one is best for you.
Top 20 Best Ashwagandha Supplements Highlights
Below, we’re going to take a closer look at what we believe are the best ashwagandha supplements on the market today. We hope to help you decide which one you should try among these top ashwagandha supplements!
XWERKS Ashwa | One of the best gluten-free ashwagandha supplements. |
---|---|
Simple Life Nutrition Ashwagandha | Black pepper is present in this supplement to help your body absorb ashwagandha easily. |
Oweli Ashwagandha | Completely free from all types of additives. |
Nutraville Helix-4 | A stimulant-free ashwagandha supplement to help you. |
Nuzena Ashwagandha Pure+ | The only supplement that takes care of your thyroid levels. |
Zhou Ashwagandha | The most budget-friendly supplement on the list. |
Essential Elements Organic Ashwagandha | Helps boost energy levels naturally and elevates mood. |
Sovereignty Purpose | Users don’t feel jitters while taking this supplement. |
Flat Belly Shake | A complete plant-based supplement that contains natural ingredients only. |
Crazy Nutrition Intensive Pre-Train | Comes in a delicious blue raspberry flavor to excite users. |
Wejoy Balance | Made of science-backed and clinically-proven ingredients. |
Sleep Guard Plus | A 100% natural supplement that doesn’t come with artificial ingredients. |
Amy Myers MD ZenAdapt | A doctor-formulated formula that is completely safe for consumption. |
Goli Ashwagandha | Ensures maximized relaxation benefits to help you relax. |
Organixx Turmeric 3D | Comes with the longest money-back guarantee period. |
Adimin | The best product to soothe inflammation and pain. |
PhenQ Meal Shake | A complete meal replacement shake to help you fulfill the daily nutritional requirements of your body. |
UpWellness Rest and Recharge | Helps restore the circadian rhythm of your body and you get better sleep after consuming this item. |
Prime Male | One of the best testosterone boosters available on the market. |
TestoPrime | A premium and certified product to boost male sexual health. |
Best Pure Ashwagandha: XWERKS Ashwa
Ashwa by XWERKS is one of the best ashwagandha products on the market today. Ashwa is a highly concentrated ashwagandha product that is backed by more than 5,000 years of use and is believed to fight off stressors.
That being said, Ashwa by XWERKS is formulated and marketed as a testosterone booster and physical performance enhancer. According to their website, Ashwa can stabilize cortisol levels, reduce stress, and maximize the quality and quantity of sleep. Every serving of the supplement contains a strong ashwagandha dosage so that the users get the best results.
This is one of the best pure ashwagandha extract supplements, and it contains organic ashwagandha root extract. Some of our experts consider this the best ashwagandha supplement too.
Product | Gummies |
---|---|
Dosage | 1,500 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $19/bottle |
Best Pure Ashwagandha: Simple Life Nutrition Ashwagandha
Simple Life Nutrition Ashwagandha is a pure, high-dose formula. It is a popular brand and offers good value. It is formulated to support stress reduction, cardiovascular health, and overall immunity. This supplement contains 1,300 milligrams per serving.
According to research, black pepper can improve the body’s absorption of the ashwagandha, so Simple Life Nutrition has included black pepper in their Ashwagandha supplement.
This company uses high-quality vegan-friendly capsules instead of the cheap gelatin capsules that many of the other companies use. By taking Simple Life Nutrition Ashwagandha every day, you improve sleep, reduce stress, and support thyroid and adrenal health, along with a variety of other benefits.
Each bottle contains 60 capsules, and each serving is two capsules.
Product | Capsule |
---|---|
Dosage | 1,300 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $17.99 |
Simple Life Nutrition costs $17.99/bottle
Best Pure Ashwagandha: Oweli Ashwagandha
Oweli Ashwagandha is a supplement that is formulated to improve mood and reduce stress. It contains 831 milligrams of a proprietary blend that includes ashwagandha, along with several other herbs.
Take two capsules of this supplement every day, and, as rumor has it, you can improve your response to stress, support restful sleep, and naturally strengthen cognition, along with a variety of other benefits. Some of the other advantages of taking Oweli Ashwagandha include positive mood and overall well-being, improved body composition, and reduction in mental and physical stress.
One bottle contains 60 capsules, and each dose is two capsules. Bottles are priced at $19.99, and Oweli has their supplements third-party tested for quality, potency, and purity. They maintain the same standards as other supplements on our list, being Non-GMO and additive-free.
Product | Capsules |
---|---|
Dosage | 831 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $19.99 |
Oweli Ashwagandha costs $19.99/bottle
Best for Weight management: Nutraville Helix-4
Nutraville Helix-4 is formulated to help you feel better while losing weight. The company claims that by taking two capsules daily, you can avoid gaining weight because it blocks your body from absorbing fat and carbs.
According to the website, in addition to not gaining weight, you get benefits such as decreased cravings, improved mood, and increased energy. The cost is about average, but it’s one of the best-values on our list.
In fact, the company claims that Helix-4 is the most effective supplement on the market to melt away fat and reach your weight loss goals. In addition to ashwagandha, Helix-4 contains a lipase inhibitor that helps to safely and rapidly lose weight, along with a few other benefits such as balancing blood sugar levels and improving mood.
Each bottle contains 60 capsules with a dosage of 2 each dose.
Product | Capsules |
---|---|
Dosage | 300 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $49 |
Nutraville Helix-4 costs $49/bottle
Best Pure Ashwagandha: Nuzena Ashwagandha Pure +
Nuzena is a company based out of Delaware that is known for creating a variety of supplements that help with various health and wellness goals.
Nuzena Ashwagandha Pure + combines ashwagandha and black pepper to reduce anxiety related to stress, boost mood, support thyroid health, and so much more. It’s not the cheapest product on our list- but it’s not the most expensive either. However, this is a high-quality formula that contains 1,300 milligrams of ashwagandha and 10 milligrams of black pepper.
This is a straightforward supplement with a high dose of easily absorbed ashwagandha.
Nuzena Ashwagandha costs $35.
Nuzena is a Delaware-based company known for creating a range of supplements targeting different health and wellness goals. Ashwagandha Pure + is a straightforward ashwagandha supplement with a high dose of bioavailable ashwagandha.
Product | Capsules |
---|---|
Dosage | 1,300 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $35 |
Nuzena Ashwagandha Pure + Price: $35
Best Pure Ashwagandha: Zhou Ashwagandha
Zhou Ashwagandha is a maximum strength blend formulated to relieve sporadic mental and physical stress. The reason it made our list is because we believe it to be one of the best values on the market. It’s only $14.96 per bottle- and each bottle contains a 30-day supply.
According to the company, this supplement provides a wide array of benefits for blood sugar, heart health, sleep, and so much more. Each serving contains 1,200 milligrams of ashwagandha, which places it with the higher potency formulas on the list.
In addition to the ashwagandha, this supplement contains 5 milligrams of black pepper extract, which improves absorption, and 250 milligrams of a proprietary blend including reishi mushroom, Rhodiola, and other ingredients, which improves the stress-relief benefits.
Each bottle contains 60 capsules, which is 30 servings.
Product | Capsules |
---|---|
Dosage | 1,200 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $14.96 |
Best Pure Ashwagandha: Essential Elements Organic Ashwagandha
Essential Elements Organic Ashwagandha is an ashwagandha supplement that includes black pepper for improved absorption. It contains 1,950 milligrams of ashwagandha, which makes it one of the most potent options on our list. In addition, it contains 15 milligrams of black pepper to improve absorption.
Take two capsules daily, and you will see stress and anxiety decrease and mood and energy increase. Additionally, you will improve clarity and concentration. Each bottle contains 90 capsules, which is a 30-day supply.
Product | Capsules |
---|---|
Dosage | 1,950 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $17.50 |
Essential Elements Organic Ashwagandha starts at $17.50
Best for Overall Balance: Sovereignty Purpose
Sovereignty Purpose is a popular ashwagandha supplement for those who want balance without having to deal with jitters or a caffeine crash. It contains seven ingredients for improved focus and energy.
In addition to ashwagandha, Sovereignty Purpose contains bacopa monnieri extract, cordyceps mushroom extract, beet juice, grape seed extract, and Schisandra Chinensis, along with a few others.
According to their website, the active ingredients in this supplement improve nitric oxide by 230%, provide users 4x more energy, improve cognitive performance by 5x, decrease stress by 72.9%, and an array of other benefits.
Product | Powder |
---|---|
Dosage | 350 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $59 |
Lanta Flat Belly Shake
Lanta Flat Belly Shake is a metabolic superfood that promises to quickly melt away stubborn fat. This is a plant-based formula that, according to the website, boosts metabolism, curbs cravings, supports healthy digestion, increases energy and fat oxidation, and so much more.
This best ashwagandha product helps manage blood pressure and blood sugar with the help of pure ashwagandha extract.
This is an all-in-one formula that contains ashwagandha along with other active ingredients. It offers digestive support and metabolic support. As suggested by the name, this supplement is popular for those who want to lose weight. Simply combine one scoop with the beverage of your choice, and you’ll see the weight melt away.
Each container has 30 servings, and each serving is one scoop.
Product | Powder |
---|---|
Dosage | 300 milligrams metabolic support blend |
Highlights | |
Price | $69 |
Lanta Flat Belly Shake costs $69
Best for Men: Crazy Nutrition Intensive Pre-Train
Intensive Pre-Train by Crazy Nutrition is a pre-workout ashwagandha supplement with a blue-raspberry flavor. When you think of ashwagandha, you probably don’t think about a pre-workout powder. However, in this case, it is.
This supplement can give you the energy you need without jitters, along with massive power without the crash that often comes with pre-workouts. If you want something that will give you all of that, this might be the best option for you.
Each serving contains a high dose of KSM-66 Ashwagandha, along with betaine anhydrous, L-tyrosine, L-taurine, amino acids, beta-alanine, L-arginine, and citrulline malate.
Product | Powder |
---|---|
Dosage | 400 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $39.99 |
You can get Pre-Train by Crazy Nutrition for only $39.99
Best for Menopause: Wejoy Balance
Wejoy Balance is an ashwagandha supplement marketed specifically for women to deal with the symptoms of menopause, including mood swings, weight gain, hot flashes, insomnia, and more.
According to some of the reviews on their website, Wejoy Balance works within days to relieve menopause symptoms. Plus, the relief is long-lasting, not short-term like some other supplements on the market.
This company has more than 100,000 happy customers, making it one of the best supplements on the market for managing menopause and instilling overall balance.
This supplement comes with 60 capsules for a 30-day supply and contains 600 milligrams of ashwagandha per serving.
Product | Capsules |
---|---|
Dosage | 600 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $49 |
Best for Sleep: Sleep Guard Plus
Sleep Guard Plus is a supplement that is formulated to treat insomnia with a blend of ashwagandha along with a few other ingredients. This is one of the more expensive options on the list, at $69 per bottle. However, it does contain a combination of ingredients proven to help mitigate stress and anxiety.
According to their website, sugar and gut bacteria can cause your sleep cycle to be disrupted. Supplements like this one can help get you back in balance so you can get the rest you deserve.
Product | Capsules |
---|---|
Dosage | Unclear |
Highlights | |
Price | $69 |
Best for Overall Balance: Amy Myers MD ZenAdapt
If you’ve been exposed to the nutrition supplement industry, you know the name Amy Myers MD. ZenAdapt by Amy Myers MD is doctor-formulated to help balance out your cortisol levels and, therefore, your stress response.
In addition to ashwagandha, ZenAdapt contains Venetron, PEA, saffron extract, and a few other ingredients to soothe your frazzled nerves.
ZenAdapt is a powerful, distinctive supplement. Since it has a medical doctor behind it, you can be sure the research was done, and it will do what it promises. If you are looking for the perfect supplement for overall balance, this just might be the best option.
Each bottle contains 60 capsules for a 30-day supply.
Product | Capsules |
---|---|
Dosage | 743 milligrams proprietary blend |
Highlights | |
Price | $39.92 |
ZenAdapt by Amy Myers MD costs $39.92
Best Ashwagandha Gummies: Goli Ashwagandha
When it comes to the ashwagandha arena, Goli is one of the most well-known brand names. Their delicious berry-flavored gummies are designed to help users relax and unwind.
These gummies are made with a blend of KSM-66, and vitamin D. KSM-66 is an extremely bioavailable type of ashwagandha to maximize restoration and relaxation.
Some of the other advantages of Goli Ashwagandha are a feeling of calmness and stress relief, along with supporting immune system functioning, improving memory and concentration, improving the overall quality of life, reducing cravings related to stress and reducing/maintaining healthy body weight.
Also, it helps manage high blood pressure issues with the help of ashwagandha root extract. The gummies from Goli are the best ashwagandha gummies available on the market indeed.
Product | Gummies |
---|---|
Dosage | 300 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $14 |
Best for Overall Balance: Organixx Turmeric 3D
Turmeric 3D by Organixx is an amazing ashwagandha supplement that acts as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which prevents painful joints and supports joint health.
As you can see, many of the other ashwagandha supplements on the market are for reducing stress and anxiety. However, Turmeric 3D is specifically for the prevention of inflammation and joint pain. This supplement promises to offer quick, long-lasting relief through a unique blend of turmeric, ashwagandha, and other ingredients.
One of the main reasons we put this on our list is because it was formulated by a naturopathic physician, Dr. Melissa Gallagher. This means you can be sure it’s legit.
Organixx Turmeric 3D contains 60 capsules, which is a 30-day supply.
Product | Capsules |
---|---|
Dosage | 1,000 milligrams turmeric blend |
Highlights | |
Price | $46.71 |
Organixx Turmeric 3D Price: $46.71
Best for Weight management: Adimin
Adimin is a weight loss supplement with ashwagandha that includes a combination of antioxidants that facilitate weight loss and detoxify your body. According to their website, this supplement has a variety of benefits, including supporting weight loss, improving energy, boosting vitality, supporting heart health, and much more. They offer a 60-day 100% satisfaction guarantee. Thousands of patients around the world have successfully lost weight with Adimin.
There are some small studies that have indicated ashwagandha can help with weight loss because it helps with inflammation. After all, if your body is flooded with toxins and inflammation, it’s hard to lose weight. Supplements such as Adimin can help mitigate that inflammation, which helps with weight loss. It is one of the more expensive supplements on the list, but the benefits do outweigh the cost.
Each bottle contains 60 capsules, with a dosage of 2 capsules per day.
Product | Capsules |
---|---|
Dosage | 200 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $69 |
Best for Weight management: PhenQ Meal Shake
PhenQ Meal Shake is formulated as a meal replacement. This supplement is believed to help with weight loss and includes InnoSlim, ashwagandha, and a variety of other ingredients. It comes in 2 flavors: chocolate and vanilla. Organic ashwagandha extract is present in this supplement in substantial doses to help increase muscle mass and deliver the best anxiety relief results.
The reason PhenQ Meal Shake made our list is that it’s 100% plant-based. In addition, it is keto-friendly. It contains 16 grams of vegan protein, as well as 24 vitamins and minerals. This is a legit meal replacement option, providing you with a similar nutrition profile as a full meal.
Ashwagandha is just one of the many beneficial ingredients within this shake. Some of the other ingredients include pea protein, MCT coconut oil, KSM-66 ashwagandha, and InnoSlim.
PhenQ Meal Shake contains nine servings per bag, one scoop = one serving.
Product | Powder |
---|---|
Dosage | 300 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $39.99 |
Best for Sleep: UpWellness Rest & Recharge
Unfortunately, sleep deprivation is something that affects millions of people all around the world.
UpWellness Rest & Recharge Ashwagandha is a supplement that is specifically formulated to support restful sleep.
According to their website, this supplement is a non-drug solution to a good night’s sleep, as it contains a carefully crafted combination of ingredients to help you to fall asleep- and then stay asleep. Another thing to keep in mind is that this is one of the few supplements on our list that is formulated by a doctor. The presence of organic ashwagandha powder in the product makes it a decent option to purchase.
In addition to ashwagandha, Rest & Recharge contains magnesium glycinate, GABA, melatonin, 5-HTP, GABA, theanine, glycine, and magnolia.
Each bottle contains 60 milligrams, with a dosage of 2 capsules per dose.
Product | Capsules |
---|---|
Dosage | 200 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $47 |
UpWellness Rest & Recharge costs $47
Best for Men: Prime Male
Prime Male is an ashwagandha supplement that is marketed as a testosterone booster for men. In fact, according to their marketing, by taking this supplement on a daily basis, you can “enter a new reality of testosterone-rich vitality.” Simply take four capsules daily, one at a time, with a meal/snack.
As we have mentioned, one of the benefits of ashwagandha is that it increases testosterone in men. Cortisol, a hormone that is produced in response to stress, keeps the body from producing testosterone. However, ashwagandha stops the production of cortisol, which means that your body’s natural testosterone levels begin to rise again. With that, your overall sexual function becomes better too.
Organic ashwagandha root powder is added to the supplement as a key ingredient, and the presence of that ingredient makes this product a better choice.
Each dose of Prime Male contains 12 vitamins/minerals and nutrients that can help with weight loss, cognitive functioning, boosting libido, increasing energy, boosting testosterone, and improving skin health, along with a variety of other amazing benefits.
Product | Capsules |
---|---|
Dosage | 750 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $69 |
Best for Men: TestoPrime
TestoPrime is a testosterone booster. According to the company, taking four capsules daily can boost natural testosterone production with ashwagandha, along with a few other ingredients.
For some time now, it has been believed that ashwagandha reduces stress and anxiety levels. Also, the supplement can enhance your overall cognitive function too. However, recent research has indicated that ashwagandha is also linked to testosterone. It is believed that taking ashwagandha could improve testosterone levels in men.
The reason for the connection between testosterone and ashwagandha is because of cortisol- the stress hormone. When stress is high, the body produces more cortisol. This causes testosterone production to be inhibited. Ashwagandha inhibits cortisol, which means that your body can produce testosterone.
Product | Capsules |
---|---|
Dosage | 668 milligrams |
Highlights | |
Price | $59.99 |
TestoPrime costs $59.99/bottle
How Did We Rank The Best Ashwagandha Supplements?
As mentioned earlier, purchasing a suitable dietary supplement is pretty complicated. Not all ashwagandha supplements are reliable, and shortlisting the best pure ashwagandha extract supplements was not an easy task for you. However, our research and editorial team has used certain ranking parameters to rank the best ashwagandha products. In the following points, we are going to describe those parameters.
Natural Ingredients
Most ashwagandha supplements come with artificial additives and fillers that are harmful to health. That’s why we prioritized enlisting organic ashwagandha items that contain natural ingredients only. Also, the active compounds present in an ashwagandha item should be inspected to judge its efficacy.
Each supplement listed above comes with a potent ashwagandha dosage to help users. The best ashwagandha supplement is supposed to come with powerful doses of organic ashwagandha root extract. We enlisted the above-mentioned ashwagandha products after checking the ingredients present in them.
Manufacturer’s Reputation
Some manufacturers use certified organic ashwagandha extracts in their products, while others don’t. Also, the manufacturing procedures of the ashwagandha companies are not similar. No matter whether you’re purchasing ashwagandha capsules or other types of ashwagandha supplements, you need to purchase your preferred items from reliable and established manufacturers only.
Advertised Benefits
Some ashwagandha products claim to boost your overall sexual function, while others will claim to reduce your overall body fat. The sad part is that not all ashwagandha items deliver what they claim to deliver. Taking pure ashwagandha can surely help you attain proven health benefits, and we included supplements that come with honest advertised benefits.
Doctor-formulated Supplements
All the supplements listed above are backed by either doctors or professional scientists. The manufacturers of these supplements included accurate doses of the ashwagandha herb so that the supplements become helpful for users. So, if you have decided to consume ashwagandha, the listed options are the best ones for you.
It’s impossible for an average user to know how much ashwagandha is suitable for him. That’s why taking a doctor-formulated item is recommended. A doctor-formulated product will help absorb ashwagandha easily inside your body.
Customer Reviews
No matter whether you’re taking an organic ashwagandha root powder or ashwagandha gummies, you will be able to judge the efficiency of your preferred item only by going through the customer reviews. Once you like a product, check the customer reviews of the product to know whether ashwagandha root extract is present in the product adequately.
Advantages of Taking an Ashwagandha Extract Supplement
There are several advantages of taking an ashwagandha supplement. Such a supplement can reduce your food cravings and other health concerns with the help of extracts from an ashwagandha plant. We will go over these below:
It might help reduce stress/anxiety
As we have mentioned, ashwagandha has been used in Eastern medicine to reduce stress. It appears that ashwagandha controls mediators of stress, including:
In addition, it controls the activity of your HPA axis, which is a system in your body that regulates stress responses.
There have been several studies indicating that ashwagandha supplements with natural ingredients may help relieve stress/anxiety. That being said, a recent review of the studies indicates that there’s not enough evidence to confirm an appropriate dosage and form of ashwagandha to treat neuropsychiatric disorders related to stress, such as anxiety.
Might improve athletic performance
According to current research, ashwagandha may help improve athletic performance for athletes. These studies indicate that ashwagandha improves physical performance, including strength and oxygen levels. An analysis of these studies found that maximum oxygen consumption in healthy adults was improved.
High oxygen consumption is critical for everyone- athlete or not. Low oxygen consumption is related to an increased risk of mortality, while a high oxygen consumption is related to a decreased risk of heart disease.
Might reduce symptoms of mental health conditions
There is some evidence that ashwagandha may help with certain mental health conditions, such as depression. Some research also indicates that it may improve cognition in individuals with bipolar disorder– but more research is needed to confirm this.
While some research indicates that ashwagandha may offer antidepressant effects, it should not be used in lieu of antidepressant medications. If you are experiencing symptoms related to depression, be sure to speak with a medical professional so that you can get the appropriate treatment.
Might boost testosterone and increase male fertility
Some studies indicate that ashwagandha may increase male fertility and boost testosterone levels. Some studies have also indicated that ashwagandha may increase sperm concentration and motility, as well as semen volume, in men with a low sperm count. It is also beneficial for men with a normal sperm count.
That being said, researchers have determined that at this time, there’s not enough data to confirm the benefits of ashwagandha and male fertility. We need more research.
Might decrease blood sugar levels
There is some evidence that ashwagandha may be beneficial for those with high blood sugar issues or diabetes. Some studies have indicated that individuals with diabetes who use ashwagandha saw a decrease in:
- Blood sugar
- Hemoglobin A1c
- Insulin
- Blood lipids
- Oxidative stress markers
It is believed that there are compounds within ashwagandha, including withaferin A that have a powerful effect on diabetes and may stimulate cells to remove the glucose from your blood.
Might reduce inflammation
Ashwagandha contains a variety of compounds that might help with inflammation, including withaferin A, or WA. According to research, WA does target inflammatory pathways and, in animal studies, reduced inflammatory protein levels.
There have been a few studies that indicate ashwagandha may reduce inflammatory markers in humans as well. Though the findings are promising, research is limited, and more is required to confirm the validity.
Might improve brain functioning
According to some research, ashwagandha may improve brain functioning in certain populations, including those with schizophrenia and older adults with mild impairment. Some of the cognitive functions that seem get benefit include:
- Reaction time
- Executive functions
- Cognitive task performance
- Attention
One study looked at 50 adults taking 600 milligrams of ashwagandha daily for a period of 8 weeks. They showed considerable improvements in the following areas when compared to those who took a placebo:
- Attention
- Speed of information processing
- Immediate memory
- General memory
Research also indicates that certain compounds found in ashwagandha have an antioxidant effect on the brain, which is believed to be beneficial to cognitive health. However, more research is required before any strong conclusions can be stated.
Might improve sleep
There is some evidence that ashwagandha may help with certain sleep issues, so there are many people who are taking it to promote restful sleep. For example, one study of 50 adults who were given 600 milligrams of ashwagandha daily for 12 weeks revealed improved sleep quality and mental alertness upon waking compared to those who took a placebo.
A review of several studies found that ashwagandha supplementation had a small but the considerable effect on sleep quality. For those suffering from anxiety, taking ashwagandha reduced anxiety so they could sleep, leading to feeling more alert upon waking.
Fairly safe and easily accessible
At this time, it is believed that ashwagandha is safe for most people. That being said, we don’t know much about its long-term effects. A review of various studies indicates that this supplement is safe and can be used to effectively treat a variety of health conditions, including insomnia, stress, and anxiety.
However, as we have mentioned, certain populations should not take ashwagandha. For example, women who are pregnant should not take it because it could result in pregnancy loss if taken in high doses. In addition, men with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and those taking certain medications should not take it.
There have been some side effects reported, which we will discuss in further detail below.
It is important to note that research indicates the effects of ashwagandha may not be seen immediately. You may need to take it for several months before you start to see the effects. There are several forms of ashwagandha on the market, and they can be taken in single or multiple doses per day.
Finally, it can be taken on an empty stomach or with meals, whatever you prefer. There are many supplement manufacturers on the market, and they can be found in various retail establishments, including vitamin shops, health food stores, grocery stores, and more.
Conclusion
Ashwagandha has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine and has only come to light in the Western world fairly recently. That being said, it has surged in popularity due to all of the benefits that come with it. This is why there are so many Ashwagandha companies on the market- they are all trying to take advantage of the money-making opportunity.
However, they are not all created equal and can’t all be trusted. That is why we came up with what we feel are the best ashwagandha supplements on the market. We hope that this has helped you decide what you want to try.
Producing high-quality supplements is not every company’s cup of tea, and you must get in touch with your physician before taking an ashwagandha product if you’re taking prescription medication.