In 2020, Savior Minaya noticed a change in her behavior. Although he had previously been clinically diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), he occasionally found himself walking around his room and acting more impulsively than before. His behavior worried him, as he sometimes felt defeated. There were days when he felt like he couldn’t get out of bed.
To alleviate these problems, he decided to make some lifestyle changes. he calmed down. He bought a bicycle to exercise. He started making sleep a priority. Then on Facebook, I saw an acquaintance asking about anxiety relief, to which a commenter replied, “Ashwagandha.”
“It always pisses me off when I see people like that suggest things like that. People usually go mad by telling a lot of myths, but nothing that has scientific backing. Nothing,” Minaya told the salon. But then when he went to her girlfriend’s house, he realized she already had it. He decided to try it himself.
“I took maybe 600 milligrams or so, and it almost reminded me of something like when I took a very low dose of Xanax. Wow, I think it’s insane that this even exists.” I did.”
“It felt like taking a very low dose of Xanax.”
Ashwagandha, one of the common names Withania somniferaan evergreen shrub and mainstay. ayurvedic medicine, among which is a “respected herb”. Its name is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning “horse smell”, referring to the horse-like scent. Its leaves and roots are rich in various chemicals, some of which have the following effects: GABA receptor In the body, it is the same as a benzodiazepine antidepressant like Xanax (alprazolam).
The plant belongs to the Solanaceae family, which includes many poisonous and beneficial species, from tomatoes and eggplants to tobacco and belladonna. Ashwagandha has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, but only recently has it gained popularity in the United States, where it is marketed as a so-called “adaptogen” to improve life.
#ashwagandha has over 900 million views on TikTok, with many videos visually documenting the good and bad of people taking the herb. Some claim it can help relieve stress and anxiety and improve sleep. Some people have reported negative side effects such as anhedonia and inability to feel pleasure.
Many people wonder if this botanical supplement is safe to take and if it actually works to relieve stress, anxiety and sleep deprivation.
Amara Soumianas, professor of neurology at Oregon Health and Science University and director of BENFRA (Center for Botanical Dietary Supplements Research), said in salons that ashwagandha has been extensively researched, at least to the point that it is an herb, and not least of which In a preclinical model being tested in one animal, he said. or cells.
“We are still trying to figure out all the potential effects of this herb, but based on the existing evidence, it seems to affect many systems in the body,” Soumianas said.
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For example, studies show that ashwagandha can: hypothalamic-pituitary axis, It is involved in the secretion of cortisol, a hormone released when a person is stressed. In a 60-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers found that people who took ashwagandha had lower scores on the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21).they also people’s cortisol levels Morning blood pressure was lower compared to those who did not take ashwagandha.there is even evidence that serotonin levels are affectedalso has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
“This plant is thought to have a range of effects, which may sound strange because if you look closely at conventional medicines, there is not a long list of activities, just a few. ,” says Soumianath. This addition is not surprising given that plant extracts usually contain a whole “mixture of the various phytochemicals found in the herb.”
“We are still trying to figure out all the potential effects of this herb.”
Ashwagandha can be taken in supplement or powder form. Studies conducted so far have ruled out placebo effects on sleep and stress, Soumianat said. That said, she is also aware of her TikTok videos and anecdotes detailing her negative ashwagandha experiences.
When she first started taking it, Minaya told the salon she had an increased appetite and felt more tired. Then he took a break. When he started taking ashwagandha again, he said that his emotions were numb and he was “not bothered by anything.” Minaya attributed her mood changes to overdosing, but she felt better after she drank less.
Professor Soumianat said the loss of pleasure has been documented anecdotally but has not been reported in clinical or preclinical studies.
“That sort of thing has not been reported in any clinical trial,” Soumianat said. “I’ve seen some TikTok videos and related stuff, but all I can say is that I haven’t found any real evidence or reports like that in any of the trials that have been held and reported. It’s just that.”
That said, over-the-counter ashwagandha is “very variable,” Soumianat said. In the United States, the FDA classifies ashwagandha as a “botanical dietary supplement.” This means that product quality and safety are not monitored to the same extent as FDA-approved drugs and treatments.
“When a study is done, it’s done for a specific product. It applies to that product. But that means that every other product made from that plant on the shelf will have the same effect.” No,” Soumianas said. “So the big picture is a little more complicated.”
This complexity spills over to other countries. Technical University of Denmark in 2022 found A safety risk assessment reported that ashwagandha has potentially harmful effects on thyroid and sex hormones. Some Swedish products containing high concentrations of ashwagandha have been banned in Denmark.
Product quality and safety are not as closely monitored as FDA-approved drugs and treatments.
However, there are many who swear by Ashwagandha. Jeff Johnson has been growing ashwagandha in Oregon since 2009. He said he had seen ashwagandha help people, especially with sleep problems, and said the increase in negative experiences was “new” in his opinion.
“It’s really interesting to hear from people who have had negative experiences because it’s something we’re not used to,” Johnson said. “So I was surprised when I stumbled upon Reddit.”
surely, subreddit r/ashwagandha, Some people’s experiences are far from great. For example, some people, even though they feel uncomfortable, 5 months after discontinuation Some claimed to have created ashwagandha to take supplements. ”question reality. ”
Overall, Soumianath said she believes ashwagandha is a “really promising plant.”
“The research done so far confirms its highly beneficial effects, especially in the areas of stress, insomnia and even anxiety,” Soumianat said. “But more research needs to be done in these areas, particularly anxiety and depression. And it’s widely accepted that the results there are related to the specific products that were actually tested.” I think we should let you know.”
Soumyanath added that there is still much to learn about how it works.
“Once you understand how herbs work and what ingredients provide these different activities, you can say, ‘Why is the product made this way and contains these specific ingredients?’ If so, I’m pretty sure that’s what’s contributing to this particular symptom,” she said. “Unfortunately, we’re not quite there yet.”
