From the Guidelines
Ashwagandha and Psychiatric Illness
Ashwagandha is not recommended as a treatment for psychiatric illness, as its efficacy as a standalone treatment is unclear 1.
Key Points
- The evidence for ashwagandha's effectiveness in treating psychiatric illnesses is limited and inconclusive 1.
- Established medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine or sertraline, are recommended for treating psychiatric illnesses 1.
- Ashwagandha may be considered as an adjunctive treatment, but its use should be approached with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare professional 1.
Important Considerations
- The diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric illnesses should be done under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional 1.
- A comprehensive treatment plan should include a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, such as therapy and lifestyle changes 1.
From the Research
Ashwagandha and Psychiatric Illness
- Ashwagandha has been traditionally used as an adaptogen in Ayurvedic medicine, and evidence suggests that it may have efficacy in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia 2.
- Studies have shown that ashwagandha may be beneficial in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with schizophrenia 2, as well as in individuals with depression 3.
- The key components of ashwagandha, including 12 alkaloids and 35 withanolides, have been proven to be beneficial in the treatment of anxiety and stress 3.
Anxiety and Stress
- Ashwagandha supplementation has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety and stress levels compared to placebo 4.
- The non-linear dose-response analysis indicated a favorable effect of ashwagandha supplementation on anxiety until 12,000 mg/d and stress at a dose of 300-600 mg/d 4.
- Ashwagandha has been found to inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and superoxide production, which may contribute to its anxiolytic and stress-relieving effects 5.
Clinical Studies
- A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study found that ashwagandha root extract was beneficial in reducing stress and anxiety in healthy adults 6.
- The study also found that ashwagandha extract significantly reduced serum cortisol levels and improved sleep quality compared to placebo 6.
- Another study found that ashwagandha sustained-release formulation had anti-neuroinflammatory potential and was effective in reducing anxiety and depression in an in vivo study 5.