Exploring Adaptogenic Herbs
Got stress? Although there isn’t a single, universally accepted definition of “stress,” there appears to be no shortage of it. Perceived pressures and their associated physical and psychological responses are…
4 min read
Ashwagandha
Stress and sleep support.
Few studies so far
- You need a day
- Not set
- Most pills have
- 600 mg
- Safe max a day
- Not set
- Careful studies
- 27 7 in 2025, 2 in 2015
Photo: Mikhail NilovSee what the molecule looks like
Drag to turn · 34 heavy atoms · PubChem CID 265237
Withaferin A. Drag to turn it.
What the research says
The short version
Some ashwagandha preparations may help insomnia and stress, but the evidence on anxiety is unclear. Limited evidence suggests 2 to 4 months of use may raise testosterone and sperm quality.
Rare cases of liver injury are linked to ashwagandha; avoid in pregnancy, with thyroid or autoimmune disorders, and before surgery.
About "most pills": 2022 dose-response meta-analysis found a stress benefit at 300 to 600 mg a day; a 2021 meta-analysis found sleep effects more prominent at 600 mg a day or more (extract doses).
Sources: nccih.nih.gov, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Who is reading about it
About 1,399 people a day read about Ashwagandha
That is -11% compared with the month before. The busiest day lately was Sep 2, 2026.
Wikipedia article "Withania somnifera", daily readers, last 90 days.
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