Ashwagandha Benefits and Risks for Mood and Health

Reviewing the complete list of Ashwagandha benefits might take you a while. This natural herbal remedy has been used for centuries to treat an enormous range of physical and mental conditions.

It relieves the pain of chronic conditions and eases symptoms of serious, life-threatening diseases. But the most famous Ashwagandha health benefits take place in the mind.

As a powerful antioxidant and anti-microbial, Ashwagandha defends brain cells against damage and preserves long term cognitive health. It also reduces the symptoms of stress and anxiety almost immediately, proving an excellent therapy for emotional imbalance.

Ashwagandha does however come with some notable side effects. Read on to find out how this potent natural nootropic works, and how to safely consume it.

Ashwagandha

Adaptogen

Stress

Mood

Sleep

How It Works:

• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Improves concentration, fatigue & sleep
• Protects against oxidative stress

Dosage:

Between 300 - 1000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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An Ancient Medicinal Root

When Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) was named the Sanskrit word for “horse smell”, Ayurveda medicine practitioners implied that the root could impart the strength and power of a horse upon whoever consumed it.

As a side note, the Ashwagandha plant does also happen to smell like a horse’s fur. Ashwagandhas grow natively in India, North Africa, and the Middle East. It is a small, squat shrub with tiny flowers and fruits.

However, Ashwagandha health benefits come from the root system. Ancient cultures harvested this root and prescribed it for overall vitality, immunity, recovery from illness, and virility – much like the herb ginseng. It was used as a cure-all to treat cancers, tumors, and small muscle aches.

Benefits in the Brain

Today, we know that Ashwagandha benefits powerful cognitive function. Similar to the naturally occurring acid GABA, Ashwagandha is able to create a relaxing, de-stimulating effect. It promotes an overall state of mental relaxation by piggyback signaling through GABA receptors.

Next, it cuts the body’s stress responses by limiting the amount of cortisol. This hormone accompanies any stressful stimulus and triggers flight or flight reactions throughout the body. Ashwagandha softens or eliminates these reactions. For these reasons, Ayurveda medicine refers to this supplement as an adaptogen – part of a class of compounds known to block stress at the chemical level.

Ashwagandha also has strong neuro-protective properties. It acts as an antioxidant, repelling free radicals and preventing them from damaging cells in the brain and organs. These Ashwagandha benefits may trump all of its other uses, as age-related degenerative diseases are prevented and longevity is increased.

What Are The Main Uses For Ashwagandha?

Today, Ashwagandha is used as a nootropic supplement which can dramatically improve mood and mental focus, especially for people suffering from cognitive or emotional imbalances.

Those who have been clinically diagnosed with depression or anxiety stand to benefit enormously from the root, as it blocks stress responses and induces anxiolytic effects in much the same manner as GABA. Ashwagandha also works to ease the hyperactive minds of people with ADHD. It can have a soothing, sedative effect, even on healthy minds.

Ashwagandha has also been used to treat Diabetes, arthritis, liver conditions, and cerebellar ataxia. It has been used successfully to treat and reduce Parkinson’s disease symptoms.

One the best Ashwagandha benefits is its anti-inflammatory qualities – a great help to people suffering from fibromyalgia, or other such chronic muscle and joint pain related to inflammation. Ashwagandha cuts cholesterol, and lowers blood pressure. It has even shown promise as a supplement for some cancers, helping to alleviate immunosuppression.

Best Dosages For Max Ashwagandha Benefits

To maximize Ashwagandha health benefits, it’s necessary to customize the dosage. Unlike some other supplements, this remedy has a fairly broad range of effective doses.

For a very light mood lift, for example during a brief stressful moment of the day, a dose of as little as 50 – 100 mg will be enough to create a noticeable shift in stress levels.

A moderate, median dose is closer to 500 mg. This can be taken up to three times in one day, and will produce significant, yet still mild effects.

For strongest effect, dosage can increase to 2000 mg, taken up to 3 times daily. This dose is best for people who are suffering from more serious forms of depression or anxiety, and will provide powerful relief.

For the best Ashwagandha benefits, all doses are best taken with food, or dissolved into a liquid beverage.

Ashwagandha Risks and Warnings

Ashwagandha has been harvested and used as a folk medicine for many centuries. It is well tolerated by most people, and quite effective a treating the conditions it has been traditionally prescribed for. The main Ashwagandha side effect of note is its sedative quality.

The supplement can be overly sedative at higher doses, and can cause unwanted drowsiness or make driving and working difficult. For this reason, it should also not be taken at the same time as any prescription sedatives or muscle relaxers.

It can however be taken safely in stacks with other nootropics. If you have a pre-existing serious blood pressure, liver, or diabetic condition, definitely consult with your doctor before trying Ashwagandha. It is also not recommended for pregnant women.

Most people can safely enjoy the many Ashwagandha benefits for mind and body. For the casual user, the supplement provides excellent assistance maintaining a light and happy mood. By cutting anxious thoughts, rest and relaxation become easier, and symptoms of depression are kept at bay.

Behind the scenes, the neuro-protective Ashwagandha health benefits will continue to work on your behalf, guarding cells and enhancing long term vitality.

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