Anyone with experience with Ashwaganda in aiding recovery?

[martincertain]

Hey,

I'm a few months into recovery (aside from a very brief slip a month or two ago) and have been experimenting with various different things to help with stuff like PAWS/mood stabilisation/RLS etc. I've had some good and bad experiences with Ashwaganda (the bad ones mainly due to lack of knowledge about when to take, how much to take, how often to take etc.). I'm keen to pursue it as the good experiences I've had leave me thinking it could definitely help me.

Was wondering if anyone else knew anything about it/has experience using it in recovery and could maybe recommend good strains/doses/brands. I'm in the UK and have found the regular Holland and Barrett 600mg to be fairly ok so far but keen for advice!

M

 

[TheFunkeeJunkee]

Anacdotes regarding Ashwaganda range from positive to ineffective. I'm really unsure if it's effective for doing anything at all, but the benefit is its toxicity is low. There are case reports of severe hepatotoxicity involving very large chronic doses however I wouldn't be concerned about that much.

The research on Ashwaganda isn't worth the paper it's written on. The clinical studies I've read are some of the lowest quality I've ever seen. Most of them use different brands, doses, extracts, dosing etc. The sample sizes are also tiny. It'd be nice to see a standardised Ashwaganda extract.

My advice is keep taking it if you think it's helping you. You won't get any definitive answers about Ashwaganda because as far as I'm concerned, there aren't any.

 

[martincertain]

Yeh that's kinda what i've concluded based on my experience so far, good to have confirmation! I've found taking it first thing in the morning has the best effects in terms of mood stabilisation and help with sleeping, so i'll keep doing that and see how it goes.

I read somewhere on here once that results can increase in effectiveness if used continuously over a greater time-period.

 

[TheFunkeeJunkee]

Yeh that's kinda what i've concluded based on my experience so far, good to have confirmation! I've found taking it first thing in the morning has the best effects in terms of mood stabilisation and help with sleeping, so i'll keep doing that and see how it goes.

I read somewhere on here once that results can increase in effectiveness if used continuously over a greater time-period.

Yeah, it's reasonable to assume that consistently taking it long term would lead to better effects.

I've gotten pretty cynical about these plant supplements and their health claims. The evidence is always so shaky and most of the ones that do end up being researched well enough usually only show marginal benefits if any at all.

It'd be interesting to hear from anyone who's had great experiences with Ashwaganda.

 

[thatmf]

It's done very little for me when I've taken it. Read some article online that said it's an essential supplement but honestly I can't tell the difference when I have it or don't. Maybe slightly better sleep but that's about it.

 

[martincertain]

Yeah, it's reasonable to assume that consistently taking it long term would lead to better effects.

I've gotten pretty cynical about these plant supplements and their health claims. The evidence is always so shaky and most of the ones that do end up being researched well enough usually only show marginal benefits if any at all.

It'd be interesting to hear from anyone who's had great experiences with Ashwaganda.

I've definitely gotten a bit high from higher doses when not tolerant to anything else, but only once or twice.

I'm gonna stick with it so i'll keep the thread updated. Hoping for a bit of sleep tonight, it's been a while...

 

[PtahTek]

I have no experience but if @Xorkoth isn't busy they may have a word or two on the matter.
Best to ya and be careful.