Have you tried ashwagandha?

KF500T

Hi there! Was wondering if anyone has used the supplement ashwagandha. I’ve heard it’s great for anxiety/stress and also for muscle mass, but also that it could be terrible for menstration and make your heart race. Any success stories or reasons to avoid it? Maybe even if you’ve used it, how do you incorporate it into your routine?

PiscesIntuition

Yep! Take it everyday! It is good for the overall endocrine system (pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pineal gland, etc.)!

psuLemon

There is some evidence that it supports improved moods and anxiety, but it won't do anything for muscle mass. Protein and creatine monohydrate, along with a progressive overload lifting program, are the only things that will help with muscle.

LyndaBSS

I take it for anxiety and depression. It has definitely helped.

apullum

If you have certain forms of anxiety, it will probably help. It has no effect on anxiety that isn't related to stress. There is extremely limited evidence that it might slow a racing heart rate due to anxiety. There's no scientific evidence to support claims that it does anything for muscle mass.

There have not been studies about the menstrual cycle specifically, but ashwagandha does seem to have some effect on increasing LH and and decreasing FSH. It's hard to say what that would do, if anything, to one's menstrual cycle. PCOS patients typically have higher than usual LH and lower than usual FSH, so it seems *plausible* that a substance affecting those things could affect the menstrual cycle, but there is no evidence to demonstrate this.

There is a small amount of evidence that it might be beneficial for people with hypothyroidism, and no evidence that it does anything else for the endocrine system.

I think the bottom line is that if you have an anxiety disorder, a condition affecting the reproductive system, or a thyroid condition, I would consult your doctor before taking this supplement. In general, you should always tell your doctor what supplements you take.

https://examine.com/supplements/ashwagandha/

sakmom08

I took it for 2 months and the only thing it did for me was make me start hemorrhageing. I was hugely disappointed.

aokoye

Also if you're going to take it, or any other supplement, and you take any other medication, do run it by your doctor and pharmacist before doing so.

glovepuppet

aokoye wrote: »

Also if you're going to take it, or any other supplement, and you take any other medication, do run it by your doctor and pharmacist before doing so.

^^^This^^^

It's good to have what you take on your records too, just in case

VegjoyP

I work in supplements and Ashwagandha is one of my longtime staples. I have seen many people benefit. I use Himalaya brand, best results I have had. It is an adaptogen and most often used for anxiety, agitation and depressive symptoms.

https://examine.com/supplements/ashwagandha/#longevity_rationale

This has some links to various studies and information

KF500T

Thank you for the information!