SupplementsHerbs & MushroomsAshwagandha
Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera
A root from Ayurvedic tradition, taken today mostly for stress and sleep, with real research and real cautions.
- Builds up
- 6 to 8 weeks
- In your body
- Varies
- Per 1 capsule
- 2 ingredients
- 30-day supply
- $8.40One capsule a day, plus packing and delivery
What is ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is a shrub whose root has been used in Ayurveda for centuries. Its active compounds are thought to include withanolides.
Ours combines organic root powder with a root extract standardized to 1.5% withanolides.
People have used it for centuries in India, where its name comes from the Sanskrit for "smell of the horse", after its strong smell and the strength it was said to give.
What it does
- StressSupports a healthy response to everyday stress.
- Calm and sleepSupports relaxation and restful sleep.
- VitalityTraditionally used to support energy and wellbeing.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
What people take it for
Some evidence
Some evidence
Early daysHow long it takes
It builds slowly. Most people in studies noticed a difference after 6 to 8 weeks.
- First weeksDon't expect to feel much yet
- 6 to 8 weeksWhen most people start to notice a difference
- 12 weeksAs far as most studies went
How long it stays in your body
It depends on the extract, so there's no single number. Take it as a daily habit rather than something you feel right away.
What's in a capsule
Many studies used stronger extracts than this blend, so your results may differ.
How your body handles it
Products vary a lot in strength, so two ashwagandhas may not act the same.
Two things to know: it may raise thyroid hormones in some people, so it's worth checking your thyroid. And in rare cases it has harmed the liver.
What it interacts with
- Thyroid medicinesIt may raise thyroid hormone levels, so the two could add up.
- Diabetes medicinesIt might lower blood sugar further.
- Blood pressure medicinesIt might lower blood pressure further.
- ImmunosuppressantsIt may stimulate the immune system and work against them.
- Sedatives and sleep medicinesIt might add to the drowsiness.
Goes well with
- TheanineBoth appear in our Stress and Mood packs.
- RhodiolaAnother herb people use for stress.
- MagnesiumOften part of the same evening routine.
Side effects
- Usually mild: stomach upset, loose stools, nausea and drowsiness.
- Rarely, liver problems. Stop and call your doctor if you notice yellow skin or eyes, or dark urine.
Check first if
- Pregnancy: experts advise against it.
- Hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: experts advise against it.
- Thyroid or liver conditions: talk to your doctor first.
The blood tests that go with it
- TSHMay shift if thyroid hormones rise.
- Free T4The main thyroid hormone, read with TSH.
- Morning cortisolSome studies found lower cortisol.
- ALTWorth a look if you feel unwell, because of the rare liver reports.
- Total testosteroneMeasured in small studies in men.
Work it out
Supplementation
Find Ashwagandha in a ready-made protocol.
Start from one of these, or add it to your own. Everything comes in one pouch each morning.
Mind & balance
For a demanding day.
30-day pack · 6 a morning · 180 pills
$75.30 / month
Choose this packMind & balance
Make space for balance.
30-day pack · 6 a morning · 180 pills
$73.50 / month
Choose this packLife stages
Your everyday starting point.
30-day pack · 6 a morning · 180 pills
$79.62 / month
Choose this packLife stages
A broader daily foundation.
30-day pack · 7 a morning · 210 pills
$92.29 / month
Choose this packYour own
Build your own pouch.
Know what you want to take? Pick each ingredient, and we time it through your day.
Build your own
- cGMP-certifiedFacilities
- FDA-registeredFacilities
- Accredited labsIndependent testing
- Non-GMOIngredient options
- OrganicIngredient options
- VeganFormula options
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Want it more precise? Get the app.
A page can only tell you about Ashwagandha. The app tells you about you: whether it fits, when to take it, and whether it's working.
- Checked against your blood work and everything you already take
- On your daily timeline, around your sleep, training and meals
- Followed over time, so you can see what moved
AshwagandhaOPEN 09:00Ashwagandha against your blood work, your sleep and what you already take.
AIYour TSH was last checked 14 months ago. Worth a new test now you take ashwagandha?
ASK ABOUT ASHWAGANDHAFind the goal that's yours.
Your record, your routine and LifeFrom AI, pointed at the outcome that matters to you.
Questions
What is ashwagandha good for?
Mostly everyday stress and sleep. That's where the research is strongest.
How long does ashwagandha take to work?
Usually 6 to 8 weeks. It isn't something you feel straight away.
Who should not take ashwagandha?
It's not for pregnancy or hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. If you have a thyroid or liver condition, or take the medicines listed above, talk to your doctor first.
Does ashwagandha affect the thyroid?
It might raise thyroid hormones, so a thyroid test makes sense if you take it for a long time.
Is ashwagandha safe long term?
We don't know much yet, because most studies lasted 3 months or less.
Does ashwagandha raise testosterone?
Some small studies in men found higher levels, mostly alongside training. It's early, and it isn't a replacement for seeing a doctor if yours is low.
Can ashwagandha make you tired?
It can. Drowsiness is one of its more common side effects, so many people take it in the evening.
Can I take ashwagandha every day?
That's how it was taken in studies, for up to about 3 months. Beyond that, we know less, so it's worth checking in with your doctor.
Sources
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Ashwagandha: fact sheet for health professionals.
- Akhgarjand C et al. Does ashwagandha supplementation have a beneficial effect on the management of anxiety and stress? Phytother Res, 2022.
- Fatima K et al. Safety and efficacy of Withania somnifera for anxiety and insomnia. Hum Psychopharmacol, 2024.
- Speers AB et al. Quantifying withanolides in plasma: pharmacokinetic studies and analytical methods. Nutrients, 2024.
Written by LifeFrom from these sources, and not yet reviewed by a clinician. Talk to your doctor before starting a supplement.
