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Can ashwagandha cause anxiety?

Author

Emily Ross

Published Jan 12, 2026

Ashwagandha, for example, may increase thyroid hormone levels, which could cause fatigue, anxiety, shortness of breath and other problems.

Are there any negative side effects to ashwagandha?

Nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea

Uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, upset stomach, and diarrhea are the most common side effects of ashwagandha.

Who should not take ashwagandha?

Certain groups of people should avoid using ashwagandha, including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding and those who have medical conditions like diabetes, high or low blood pressure, stomach ulcers, autoimmune disease, or thyroid disorders.

Is ashwagandha a stimulant or depressant?

Classical Uses of Ashwagandha

For most of these 6000 years Ashwagandha has been used as a Rasayana. The root of Ashwagandha is regarded as tonic, aphrodisiac, narcotic, diuretic, anthelmintic, astringent, thermogenic and stimulant.

Is ashwagandha good for anxiety?

Ashwagandha is an ancient medicinal herb with multiple 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 considered relatively safe for most people.

25 related questions found

How long does it take for ashwagandha to work for anxiety?

It can take days to weeks before you begin to notice its effects. For example, in one study including 60 people who took 300 mg of ashwagandha daily, it took upward of 10 weeks for them to observe its full effects on their sleep quality, compared with those in the control group ( 6 ).

Does ashwagandha affect serotonin?

In preclinical studies, ashwagandha can also influence GABAergic and serotonin activity,[8,43] which have antidepressant and anxiolytic effects.

Is it OK to take ashwagandha everyday?

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.

Can you have too much ashwagandha?

Large doses of ashwagandha might cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting. Rarely, liver problems might occur.

Does ashwagandha cause insomnia?

Ashwagandha root extract is a natural compound with sleep-inducing potential, well tolerated and improves sleep quality and sleep onset latency in patients with insomnia at a dose of 300 mg extract twice daily.

Does ashwagandha affect heart rate?

Stress Reduction

Studies show ashwagandha reduces cortisol levels in your body, reducing stress and its symptoms like elevated blood pressure and heart rate. It also helps block nervous system activity associated with conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, and clinical depression.

Does ashwagandha increase GABA?

Ashwagandha treatment significantly increased GABA levels in the corticohippocampal lysates over both control and ethanol-treated animals. Ashwagandha has been previously reported to have GABA-mimetic activity by acting on both GABAA and GABAB receptors and may also have glycine mimetic action.

Does ashwagandha release dopamine?

The soothing effects of Ashwagandha suppress stress-induced increases in dopamine receptors in the brain as well as plasma corticosterone, blood urea nitrogen, and blood lactic acid.

Can ashwagandha help with panic attacks?

In another 2019 study , 60 participants with mild anxiety received 250 mg of ashwagandha or placebo for 60 days. Those taking the herb showed a significant reduction in some measures of anxiety but not others. People can take ashwagandha as a tablet or in liquid tincture form.

Can I take ashwagandha with Xanax?

Taking ashwagandha along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness. Some of these sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), flurazepam (Dalmane), midazolam (Versed), and others.

How much ashwagandha should I take for anxiety Reddit?

Moreover, 500–600 mg of ashwagandha per day for 6–12 weeks may reduce anxiety and lower the likelihood of insomnia in people with stress and anxiety disorders ( 3 , 5 , 6 ).

Does ashwagandha calm you down?

Studies have shown that ashwagandha extract can lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone, in people with chronic stress. The adaptogenic herb also lowers self-reported anxiety, depression, and stress scores in certain populations.

How long does it take for ashwagandha to kick in?

When used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, ashwagandha can begin to positively impact the body within two weeks. However, depending on your individual health, it may take a few months to experience or even notice big changes.

Is ashwagandha a sedating?

Since ashwagandha has sedative effects, it could help ease anxiety and stress -- in fact, human studies have indicated as much.

Can ashwagandha make you sleepy?

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is one of the most popular herbs used in Ayurvedic Medicine. It is known as an energy booster, and many prefer it to drinking coffee, because it doesn't give you the jitters, interfere with sleep, and is not addictive.

How long do the effects of ashwagandha last?

How long does ashwagandha stay in your body after you take it? The water-soluble compounds in ashwagandha generally leave your body within 2-3 days, but the fat-soluble compounds in this root powder may stay in your system for up to a month.

Is ashwagandha good for anxiety and depression?

A study performed in 2012 involved 64 participants who were divided into two groups. One group took 300 milligrams of ashwagandha daily and the other group received a placebo twice daily. After two months, the group taking the herbal formula had a significant reduction of anxiety symptoms.

Do I take ashwagandha in the morning or night?

Do I Take Ashwagandha in the Morning or at Night? Because this multifaceted herb has numerous benefits for mind and body, it can be taken morning or night — but, Ashwagandha's potent relaxation and sleep-enhancing benefits make it perfect for consuming before bed (enter FOCL Night).

Does ashwagandha increase size?

May Increase Muscle Mass and Strength

Supplementing with Ashwagandha may not make you ripped, but research shows that taking it can lead to improved body composition and an increase in strength.