The Stress-Relieving and Pharmacological Effects of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha, a traditional herb, has long been used to reduce stress and enhance overall well-being. This study aimed to examine its calming effects on adults reporting high stress and explore potential mechanisms associated with its therapeutic effects.

Researchers ran a 60-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate the stress-relieving and pharmacological activity of an Ashwagandha extract in stressed, healthy adults. Sixty adults were randomly assigned either a placebo or 240 mg of a standardized Ashwagandha extract (Shoden) once daily. They measured results using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale -21 (DASS-21), and monitored changes in cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and testosterone levels.

Results: All participants completed the study without reporting any side effects. Compared to the placebo, Ashwagandha supplementation was associated with a statistically significant reduction in HAM-A scores (P = .040) and an almost significant reduction in DASS-21 scores (P = .096). Ashwagandha intake was also associated with greater reductions in morning cortisol (P <.001) and DHEA-S (P = .004) compared to the placebo. Testosterone levels increased over time in men (P = 0,038), but not in women (P = 0,989), although this change was not statistically significant compared to the placebo (P = 0,158).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that Ashwagandha’s stress-relieving effects might occur through its moderating effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. However, further research with larger sample sizes, diverse clinical and cultural populations, and various treatment dosages is needed to substantiate these findings.

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