• Stress & Cortisol

    Ashwagandha is best known as a natural stress reliever. Multiple clinical trials and reviews show it significantly reduces stress levels and dampens the body's cortisol ("stress hormone") response. In fact, dosages of ashwagandha (125 mg–5 g) have been shown to lower cortisol by 11%–32%, indicating a more balanced stress response. People taking ashwagandha report feeling less stressed and more calm than those on placebo, with benefits often most noticeable after 2-4 weeks of consistent use.

  • Anxiety & Mood

    Beyond general stress reduction, ashwagandha has demonstrated potent anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. In individuals with anxiety disorders, ashwagandha supplementation led to about a 50–60% reduction in anxiety symptoms, markedly outpacing the improvements seen with placebo (often ~20–30%). In one clinical trial on generalized anxiety, 72% of patients taking ashwagandha saw their symptoms resolve to mild levels, compared to only 32% of the placebo group. Reflecting this evidence, an international psychiatry taskforce provisionally recommends ashwagandha (300–600 mg/day standardized to 5% withanolides) as an adjunctive treatment for anxiety disorders.