Ashwagandha for Sleep

What Is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha Trusted Source National Institutes of Health (NIH) The NIH, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. View Source is an evergreen plant grown in India, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. The ashwagandha plant has been used as an herbal supplement in the Ayurvedic medical tradition for thousands of years. Recently, the supplement has gained mainstream popularity as a holistic way to promote sleep and reduce stress. Trusted Source National Institutes of Health (NIH) The NIH, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. View Source

Also known as Indian ginseng and Vitania sluggard, the scientific name of the ashwagandha plant is Withania somnifera, which means winter cherry. Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source

Does Ashwagandha Help You Sleep?

An analysis of five different research studies Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source found that ashwagandha supplements can help adults with and without insomnia sleep. More specifically, ashwagandha helped people fall asleep faster, improved sleep quality, increased total time spent asleep, and led to less time spent awake in bed.

Since then, a few studies have reiterated that ashwagandha supplements Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source can act as a sleep aid for humans. Animal studies similarly examined exactly how ashwagandha affects sleep. These studies found that ashwagandha affects receptors of a neurotransmitter Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source called GABA in the brain, promoting sleep. 

Ashwagandha’s main active ingredients are withanolides, which are believed to carry a host of benefits including the ability to ease stress. Stress has been linked to poorer sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness. If taking ashwagandha before bed helps a person relax, this may be another way by which it promotes better sleep.

Ashwagandha Health Benefits (That Also Benefit Your Sleep!)

In addition to promoting sleep, studies have found that taking ashwagandha supplements may provide the following health benefits: Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source

• Improved memory and focus
• Reduced stress levels 
• Increased energy levels 
• Increased muscle strength 
• Reduced arthritis pain
• Improvement of depression symptoms
• Improved fertility in men
• Improved thyroid function in people with low thyroid hormones

Ashwagandha Dosage for Sleep: What’s Safe?

There are no universal guidelines when it comes to ashwagandha dosing. Check in with your doctor before beginning ashwagandha, since the supplement may interact with certain medications. Following dosage instructions on the product packaging is also a good idea, since there are different formulations of ashwagandha available.  

Researchers commonly give study participants ashwagandha doses of 300 milligrams, either once or twice a day. Multiple studies suggest that people experience increased benefits from ashwagandha when taking 500 or 600 milligrams per day. Taking ashwagandha for at least eight weeks may also provide more benefit, although experts have not yet determined if it’s safe to take ashwagandha long-term.

“If you struggle to sleep well on a consistent basis it is best to discuss with your doctor rather than self treat. Always consult with your healthcare provider before initiating a supplement for sleep.”

Abhinav Singh, MD, MPH, FAASM

Sleep Medicine Physician, MD

When to Take Ashwagandha for Better Sleep

Most studies do not specify what time of day is best for taking ashwagandha. Talk with your doctor and read the packaging of your ashwagandha supplements to determine when and how often to take the supplement. 

Some people feel drowsy after taking ashwagandha. If you begin the supplement and notice it makes you feel drowsy shortly after, you may want to take it near bedtime.

Potential Side Effects of Ashwagandha

Studies suggest that most people can take ashwagandha for up to three months without experiencing significant side effects. Ashwagandha may produce some side effects, however.

• Upset stomach 
• Diarrhea 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Sleepiness 
• Liver problems 
• Thyroid problems 

More serious side effects, like liver problems, are rare and won’t be a problem for most people.

Deciding if Ashwagandha Is Right for You

Your doctor can help you decide if ashwagandha supplements are right for you. Ashwagandha appears to be safe for most people, but there are some who shouldn’t take it. 

People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid ashwagandha. Ashwagandha also isn’t recommended for people with thyroid disorders, autoimmune disorders, or prostate cancer. Finally, ashwagandha supplements can interact with certain medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, immune issues, seizures, and thyroid problems, so people on these medications as well as sleep medications should avoid it.