Does Ashwagandha Really Make You Sleepy? I Tried It to Find Out.

According to the Sleep Foundation, this is even more important since there are no universal directives with regard to the dosage of Ashwagandha. “There is no unique approach with regard to the dosage – the amount that works for a person could be too little or too little for someone else,” notes Dr. Mandavia.

She says that a qualified medical and supplement expert “can help you understand if it is sure for you according to your health history, your current drugs or all the underlying conditions you may have. They can also guide you on the appropriate dosage so that you do not end up taking too much, which can lead to undesirable side effects. ”

Possible side effects of ashwagandha:

• Overturned stomach
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Headache
• Liver problems
• Thyroid problems
• Drug interactions (especially with thyroid drugs, diabetes and blood pressure)

It should also be noted that Ashwagandha is not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Another concern to know is heavy metals in Ashwagandha products. “Like many plant -based supplements, Ashwagandha can sometimes be contaminated by heavy metals if it is cultivated or transformed into polluted environments,” warns Dr Shivani. “Unfortunately, many products on the market do not follow quality control. If in doubt, my advice is to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner who can recommend a safe and high quality product adapted to your body composition. ”

This is what happened when I took Ashwagandha

My first experience with Ashwagandha was to improve concentration and make sure I was energized but also calm throughout the day. To this end, I mixed the athletic green vegetable powder in a glass of water in the morning where I drank coffee mushrooms, which often contains mushrooms from the mane, maca and lion ashwagandha for sustained energy without accidents.

But to test if Ashwagandha could help sleep, I tried Moodeys Rest and repeat the capsules for three weeks. I jumped two capsules an hour before bed every night and I really felt more relaxed, without the typical whirlwind of thoughts on time or meetings. But I wouldn’t say it made me sleep or reconcile instantly. What I noticed was that I slept throughout the night during the test period rather than wake up around 2 am as usual.

It is just very difficult to determine exactly what made me sleep better during this period. Has Sandman became my best friend because of Ashwagandha or Reishi mushrooms in the mixture, which would also serve the central nervous system? Or was it just due to exhaustion after a busy work period?

I don’t think there is a magic pill for better sleep – just healthier habits. But I can see Dr. Shivani’s point on the importance of a “360 degree holistic approach” – causing Ashwagandha for a few weeks alongside other daily rituals that start stress if you get the green light.

The bottom line

There seems to be evidence that Ashwagandha can help improve sleep, but more studies should be done. It is also important to talk to a professional about what can cause your insomnia. “Taking Ashwagandha for too long without approaching the deep causes of stress or sleep problems could hide symptoms rather than really solving them,” said Dr. Shivani.

There is also another drawback to count on any type of sleeping pill. “This can lead to a kind of mental or physical dependence where you start to believe that you cannot sleep without them,” notes Dr. Tatiana.

“This state of mind can be quite unnecessary, especially during the periods when you may not have access to your routine or in usual supplements. In the long term, it is better to work to develop good sleep hygiene habits, such as a coherent bedtime, by reducing screen time before going to bed and stress management, so that your body learns to fall asley and consistently without the need for external support.”

Warning: supplements should not be taken in place of a balanced diet. It is always important to speak to your general practitioner before starting any new supplement.

This story originally appeared in Glamor UNITED KINGDOM.