Can Ashwagandha be used to reduce stress and anxiety?

From the Guidelines

Ashwagandha is not recommended as a primary treatment for reducing stress and anxiety based on the provided evidence. The evidence provided focuses on the screening, assessment, and care of anxiety and depressive symptoms in adults with cancer, and does not mention Ashwagandha as a treatment option 1.

Key Points to Consider

• The provided evidence highlights the importance of addressing psychological needs in patients with cancer to prevent later stress and anxiety, depressive symptoms, and poor quality of life 1.
• It emphasizes the need for strong patient/physician rapport to assess and determine the most appropriate treatment strategy for anxiety and depression 1.
• The evidence suggests that treatment for anxiety or depression can successfully address issues such as stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, and has the potential to reduce the risk of recurrence or cancer death 1.

Limitations of Current Evidence

• The provided evidence does not discuss the use of Ashwagandha for reducing stress and anxiety, and therefore, its effectiveness for this purpose cannot be determined based on this evidence 1.
• The evidence focuses on the oncology community and the assessment of depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with cancer, which may not be generalizable to the broader population 1.

Clinical Implications

• Clinicians should prioritize evidence-based treatments for anxiety and depression, such as those recommended by the American Society of Clinical Oncology guideline adaptation 1.
• Patients with cancer should be screened for anxiety and depressive symptoms, and those with significant symptoms should receive early and efficacious treatment to reduce the human cost of cancer 1.

From the Research

Ashwagandha and Stress Reduction

• Ashwagandha has been traditionally used to manage stress, anxiety, and general well-being 2, 3, 4, 5.
• Studies have shown that Ashwagandha root extract can alleviate stress, anxiety, and improve quality of life in healthy adults by modulating stress hormones 2.
• A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that Ashwagandha supplementation significantly reduced anxiety and stress levels compared to placebo 3.

Mechanisms of Action

• Ashwagandha's stress-relieving effects may occur via its moderating effect on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis 5.
• Ashwagandha intake has been associated with greater reductions in morning cortisol and an increase in urinary serotonin compared to placebo 2.
• Ashwagandha has also been shown to improve cognitive scores, including multitasking, concentration, and decision-making time 2.

Safety and Efficacy

• Ashwagandha has been found to be safe and well-tolerated in most studies, with few adverse events reported 2, 4, 5.
• However, further information is required to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of Ashwagandha supplementation 4.
• The certainty of the evidence for Ashwagandha's effects on stress and anxiety has been rated as low to moderate 3, 4.

Comparison to Other Treatments

• Ashwagandha has been compared to other treatments for anxiety disorders, including pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy 6.
• While Ashwagandha may have a beneficial effect on stress and anxiety, it is not a replacement for established treatments, and further research is needed to determine its efficacy and safety in comparison to other treatments 6.