Does ashwagandha reduce stress and anxiety?
Short answer
Possibly, but the evidence is weak.
Pooled trials found lower stress and anxiety scores with ashwagandha than placebo, but most trials were small and short, their results varied widely, and some found no difference from placebo.
This page says what the research shows. It does not say whether you should take ashwagandha.
Where the evidence stands
Each dot is one on-topic paper. Steps near the top answer the question more directly. Select a dot to see the study.
↑ Stronger evidence
-
Trials in people: stress and anxiety
Trials that measured stress, anxiety and cortisol directly.
9 -
Trials in people: other measures
Trials that measured other health or performance measures.
6 -
Trials in people: lab tests or safety
Trials that measured lab tests, side effects or safety.
1 -
Population studies
Studies that followed or surveyed groups of people. They show links, not causes.
1 -
Blood levels and genes
Studies that link blood levels or genes to health.
0None among the papers we read.
↓ Weaker evidence
- Points to benefit
- Mixed
- No difference
- No direction
- Points to harm
Not on the ladder: 7 reviews of many studies (shown below). Counts are papers, not people. Some studies appear in more than one paper.
See every studyWhat we found
- A review pooling 12 trials with 1,002 people found lower anxiety and stress scores with ashwagandha than placebo, but rated the certainty of the evidence low. Akhgarjand 2022
- Nine trials with 558 people, pooled in one review, showed lower stress scale scores with ashwagandha than placebo (average difference -4.72 points) and lower blood cortisol. Arumugam 2024
- Not every trial agreed: in a 12-week trial, stress fell no more than with placebo (p = 0.867); a 30-day student trial found no clear stress difference. Smith 2023, O'Connor 2022
- Twenty-three trials with 1706 people, pooled in one review, showed lower cortisol, a stress hormone, with ashwagandha. That review reports no stress or anxiety scores. Fornalik 2026
What the research says
Pooled reviews find lower stress and anxiety scores
Every pooled review of stress or anxiety scores found lower scores with ashwagandha than placebo. One review of 12 trials with 1,002 people found anxiety lower (SMD: -1.55) and stress lower (SMD: -1.75). SMD is a standard size measure; below zero favors ashwagandha.
Nine trials with 558 people showed average differences from placebo of -4.72 points on a stress scale and -2.19 on an anxiety scale. Five trials with 254 people with anxiety or insomnia showed -5.96 on anxiety. A network review of herbs found -4.90 for ashwagandha but called its trials small.
Studies: Akhgarjand 2022, Arumugam 2024, Fatima 2024, Zhang 2022, Cheah 2021
Trials disagree, and some show no placebo difference
The pooled trials differed a lot from each other. A measure of disagreement called I2 reached 93.8% in one review and 98% in another; higher means more disagreement. The 12-trial review rated the certainty of its evidence low.
Some trials found no clear edge over placebo. In a 12-week trial, stress fell no more than with placebo (p = 0.867). A 30-day student trial found no clear stress difference. In an 8-week trial, placebo also improved stress and anxiety scores, though one extract still did better.
Studies: Akhgarjand 2022, Fatima 2024, Smith 2023, O'Connor 2022, West 2026
Cortisol often falls, but not in every trial
Cortisol is a stress hormone, a marker rather than stress itself. Twenty-three trials with 1706 people, pooled, showed lower cortisol with ashwagandha. A review of 9 studies agreed, but noted that none checked effects on the adrenal glands or long-term effects.
Single trials split. In a trial of sixty stressed adults, morning cortisol fell more than with placebo (P < .001). But two trials found no cortisol difference between groups, and in a third, cortisol fell in every group, placebo included.
Studies: Fornalik 2026, Della Porta 2023, Lopresti 2019, Mahadevan 2025, Lopresti 2019, West 2026
Doses ranged from 125 to 700 mg daily
Trials gave 125 mg to 700 mg of extract a day, mostly for 8 to 12 weeks; one ran 24 weeks. The 12-trial review's dose analysis linked lower stress to 300-600 mg/d. A trial comparing 125, 250 and 500 mg a day reported lower stress at all three.
Products differed. Several were branded extracts, such as Shoden, Witholytin and Zenroot, and one used root and leaf instead of root alone.
Studies: Mahadevan 2025, Pandit 2024, O'Connor 2022, Pakhale 2025, Akhgarjand 2022, Lopresti 2019, Smith 2023
Most trials studied healthy adults who felt stressed
Most trials enrolled healthy adults who reported stress. Fewer studied people with a diagnosis. In adults with mild to moderate depression and anxiety, anxiety scores improved more than with placebo (p < 0.001). In people with schizophrenia, an anxiety-depression score favored ashwagandha (effect size 0.686, called medium).
Studies: Lopresti 2019, Majeed 2023, Pandit 2024, Mahadevan 2025, West 2026, Majeed 2024, Gannon 2019
What reviews of many studies found
Reviews pool or sum up earlier studies. They are not on the ladder, because they repeat studies already counted there.
Pooled review (meta-analysis) · Fornalik 2026
Pooled twenty-three placebo-controlled trials with 1706 people on hormone levels. Ashwagandha lowered cortisol and raised serotonin, with no effect on TSH or T3. It reports no stress or anxiety scores and notes the trials varied.
Pooled review (meta-analysis) · Akhgarjand 2022
Pooled 12 trials with 1,002 people aged 25 to 48. Anxiety (SMD: -1.55) and stress (SMD: -1.75) were lower than with placebo, but trials disagreed a lot (I2 = 93.8% for anxiety) and certainty was rated low.
Pooled review (meta-analysis) · Arumugam 2024
Pooled nine trials with 558 people. Average differences from placebo were -4.72 on a stress scale, -2.19 on an anxiety scale and -2.58 for blood cortisol, all favoring ashwagandha. Four trials reported mild to moderate side effects.
Pooled review (meta-analysis) · Fatima 2024
Pooled five trials with 254 people with anxiety or insomnia. Anxiety scores averaged -5.96 points versus placebo, but the trials disagreed strongly (I2 = 98%). The authors call for larger studies.
How the research grew
The papers we read span 2017 to 2026. 10 of the 24 on-topic papers came out in 2024 to 2026. The earliest trial in people here is from 2017.
- 2017
- 2019
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
Each dot is one on-topic paper, colored by what it found. Rings mark key papers:
- 2017. Earliest trial here: stress and food cravings, 52 people. Choudhary 2017
- 2022. Review pooling 12 trials found lower stress, anxiety. Akhgarjand 2022
- 2023. Main stress result no better than placebo. Smith 2023
- 2026. Largest trial here: 141 adults, three groups. West 2026
- 2026. Largest pooled review: 1706 people, cortisol lowered. Fornalik 2026
Doses tested
13 trial papers gave a set daily amount in mg a day, from 125 to 700. Each dot shows the dose and what the trial found.
- mg a day0200400600800
- Points to benefit
- Mixed
- No difference
- No direction
- Points to harm
One row per paper, so a trial reported in two papers appears twice.
Not shown: 3 trial papers with no single daily dose in the abstract, or a different unit.
Who funds this research
Seven of 16 trial papers have a company tie: Sabinsa, OmniActive, Natreon, Arjuna Natural, or supplement industry funding or fees. Six give no disclosure. Three supporting trials declared no ties, so confidence was not lowered for company stake.
- Company stake 7
- No disclosure in PubMed 6
- No stake declared 3
- Lopresti 2019Company stake
- Majeed 2023Company stake
- Pandit 2024Company stake
- Smith 2023Company stake
- Mahadevan 2025Company stake
- Lopresti 2019Company stake
- Coope 2026Company stake
- Langade 2021No disclosure in PubMed
- Tiwari 2021No disclosure in PubMed
- Baker 2022No disclosure in PubMed
- Majeed 2024No disclosure in PubMed
- O'Connor 2022No disclosure in PubMed
- Gannon 2019No disclosure in PubMed
- Choudhary 2017No stake declared
- Pakhale 2025No stake declared
- West 2026No stake declared
Funding rule. A stake is always shown. Confidence is lowered only when every supporting study comes from a party with a stake. "No disclosure in PubMed" means the PubMed record has no conflict-of-interest statement. It does not mean there is no conflict.
All 24 on-topic papers
Each paper shows what it tested, what it found, and who has a stake. Every paper also has its own page that explains how much it counts and how it fits. See every study as a list.
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A New Ashwagandha Formulation (Zenroot™) Alleviates Stress and Anxiety Symptoms While Improving Mood and Sleep Quality: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study.
90 people · adults with mild to moderate, short-term stress
Tested125 mg a day of Zenroot ashwagandha for 84 days, vs placebo
Stress (PSS), anxiety (BAI) and sleep scores improved with ashwagandha (p < 0.05) on days 28, 56, and 84; the abstract does not say if versus placebo. Serum cortisol and salivary alpha amylase did not differ between groups.
Points to benefitCompany stakeAbstract onlyTwo authors work for OmniActive Health Technologies, which sells this ashwagandha product.
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Effects of Withania somnifera Extract in Chronically Stressed Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
98 people · adults with self-reported high stress
TestedAshwagandha root and leaf water extract at 125, 250 or 500 mg a day for 8 weeks, vs placebo
131 adults enrolled and 98 were analyzed. The authors say stress on the Perceived Stress Scale fell at 125 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg/day for 8 weeks. The abstract gives no scores.
Points to benefitCompany stakeAbstract onlyFunded by the company Natreon; the authors declare no conflicts.
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Randomized trial · measured the question itselfMajeed et al., 2024Journal of integrative and complementary medicine · PubMed
A Standardized Withania somnifera (Linn.) Root Extract with Piperine Alleviates the Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression by Increasing Serotonin Levels: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.
70 people · adults with mild to moderate depression and anxiety
Tested500 mg a day of ashwagandha root extract with piperine for 90 days, vs placebo
Anxiety (HARS) and depression scores improved more with ashwagandha than placebo (p < 0.001) on days 30, 60, and 90. Serum serotonin rose with ashwagandha and fell with placebo (p < 0.001).
Points to benefitNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract onlyNo disclosure in PubMed.
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A standardized Ashwagandha root extract alleviates stress, anxiety, and improves quality of life in healthy adults by modulating stress hormones: Results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
50 people · healthy adults in India with mild to moderate stress and anxiety
Tested500 mg a day of ashwagandha root extract with piperine for 60 days, vs placebo
54 people were randomized and 50 finished. Stress (PSS), anxiety (GAD-7) and quality of life scores improved more with ashwagandha than placebo. Morning salivary cortisol fell more. No numbers given in the abstract.
Points to benefitCompany stakeAbstract onlyThree authors work for Sami-Sabinsa group or Sabinsa Corporation, which sells ashwagandha extract.
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Randomized trial · measured the question itselfSmith et al., 2023Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) · PubMed
Exploring the efficacy and safety of a novel standardized ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract (Witholytin®) in adults experiencing high stress and fatigue in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
overweight or mildly obese adults aged 40 to 75 with high stress and fatigue
Tested200 mg of ashwagandha root extract twice a day for 12 weeks, vs placebo
Stress on the Perceived Stress Scale (main outcome) fell with ashwagandha, but not more than with placebo (p = 0.867). Fatigue score fell more with ashwagandha (p = 0.016).
No differenceCompany stakeAbstract onlyOne author runs a research company paid by nutraceutical firms and has taken speaking fees from them.
-
Randomized trial · measured the question itselfO'Connor et al., 2022Journal of medicinal food · PubMed
The Impact of Ashwagandha on Stress, Sleep Quality, and Food Cravings in College Students: Quantitative Analysis of a Double-Blind Randomized Control Trial.
60 people · healthy college students
Tested700 mg a day of ashwagandha root extract for 30 days, vs placebo
The first test of stress and sleep together was not significant. Follow-up tests showed better final sleep with ashwagandha (58.4 ± 12.4 vs. 48.2 ± 15.0, P < .05) and lower food cravings. No clear stress difference is stated.
No differenceNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract onlyNo disclosure in PubMed.
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An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
60 people · healthy adults who reported high stress
Tested240 mg a day of ashwagandha extract (Shoden) for 60 days, vs placebo
Anxiety score (HAM-A) fell more with ashwagandha than placebo (P = .040). The stress scale DASS-21 was near significant (P = .096). Morning cortisol fell more (P < .001).
Points to benefitCompany stakeAbstract onlyOne author had past study funding from Arjuna Natural Extracts for unrelated studies, and speaking fees.
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Randomized trial · measured the question itselfGannon et al., 2019Annals of clinical psychiatry · PubMed
Effects of a standardized extract of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on depression and anxiety symptoms in persons with schizophrenia participating in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
66 people · people with schizophrenia having a flare-up of symptoms
Tested1,000 mg of standardized ashwagandha extract (how often not stated) for 12 weeks, added to usual treatment, vs placebo
In this side analysis, depression and anxiety-depression scores favored ashwagandha over placebo, with effect sizes of 0.683 (95% CI, 0.16 to 1.21) and 0.686 (95% CI, 0.16 to 1.21). Side effects were mild.
Points to benefitNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract onlyNo disclosure in PubMed.
-
Randomized trial · measured the question itselfChoudhary et al., 2017Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine · PubMed
Body Weight Management in Adults Under Chronic Stress Through Treatment With Ashwagandha Root Extract: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
52 people · adults under long-term stress
Tested300 mg of ashwagandha root extract twice a day for 8 weeks, vs placebo
Perceived Stress Scale and Food Cravings Questionnaire (main measures) improved with ashwagandha. Serum cortisol, body weight and BMI also improved. The abstract gives no scores.
Points to benefitNo stake declaredAbstract onlyNo competing interests declared.
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A proprietary herbal extract of ashwagandha root for stress and anxiety in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, three-arm, placebo-controlled efficacy and safety study.
141 people · healthy adults aged 18 to 65 with moderate stress and anxiety
Tested300 mg twice a day for 8 weeks of a proprietary ashwagandha extract, or of a standard ashwagandha extract, vs placebo
All three groups, including placebo, had lower cortisol and better stress (P < 0.0001) and anxiety (P = 0.001) scores. The proprietary extract beat both the standard extract and placebo on stress, anxiety and mood scores (P < 0.05).
Points to benefitNo stake declaredAbstract onlyNo competing interests declared.
-
Efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract on stress and weight management in adults: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
91 people · adults aged 19 to 65 with extra body weight and stress
Tested300 mg of ashwagandha root extract twice a day for 24 weeks, vs placebo
100 people were randomized and 91 analyzed. Body weight fell -8.46 ± 3.86 kg with ashwagandha vs -2.41 ± 2.07 kg with placebo. Perceived Stress Scale scores improved more (P < 0.05).
Points to benefitNo stake declaredAbstract onlyNo competing interests declared.
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The Perceived Impact of Ashwagandha on Stress, Sleep Quality, Energy, and Mental Clarity for College Students: Qualitative Analysis of a Double-Blind Randomized Control Trial.
60 people · college students aged 18 to 50
Tested700 mg a day of full-spectrum ashwagandha root extract for 30 days, vs glycerol placebo
Students' own words and daily check-ins were grouped into four themes: energy, mental clarity, sleep and stress. The authors say well-being rose. No scale scores are given.
No directionNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract onlyNo disclosure in PubMed.
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Clinical evaluation of the pharmacological impact of ashwagandha root extract on sleep in healthy volunteers and insomnia patients: A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study.
80 people · 40 healthy adults and 40 adults with insomnia
TestedAshwagandha root extract vs placebo for 8 weeks; dose not stated in abstract
Sleep measures improved. In insomnia patients anxiety score (HAM-A) improved (p < 0.05). In healthy people the HAM-A change from baseline was not significant.
MixedNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract onlyNo disclosure in PubMed.
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A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial on the effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera dunal.) root extract in improving cardiorespiratory endurance and recovery in healthy athletic adults.
50 people · healthy adults who train in sports
Tested300 mg of ashwagandha root extract twice a day for 8 weeks, vs placebo
Fitness (VO2 max) rose more with ashwagandha than placebo (P = 0.0074). Recovery and stress-for-athletes questionnaires also scored better (P < 0.0001).
Points to benefitNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract onlyNo disclosure in PubMed.
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Randomized trial · other health measuresLopresti et al., 2019American journal of men's health · PubMed
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males.
50 people · overweight men aged 40 to 70 with mild tiredness
TestedAshwagandha extract (Shoden beads, 21 mg of withanolide glycosides a day) for 8 weeks, vs placebo, in a crossover design
Cortisol, fatigue and vigor did not differ between groups. DHEA-S rose 18% more (p = .005) and testosterone 14.7% more (p = .010) with ashwagandha than with placebo.
No differenceCompany stakeAbstract onlyArjuna Natural Ltd., maker of the extract, is named in the disclosure as not involved in design, analysis or writing.
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Ashwagandha Root Extract Stabilises Physiological Stress Responses in Male and Female Team Sports Athletes During Pre-Season Training.
56 people · male and female team sport athletes in pre-season training
Tested600 mg a day of ashwagandha root extract for 42 days, vs placebo
Saliva cortisol rose in placebo females (p = 0.001) and saliva cortisone rose in placebo males (p = 0.022), not in the ashwagandha groups. Recovery scores improved in ashwagandha females (p = 0.001).
Points to benefitCompany stakeAbstract onlyTwo authors consult and speak for supplement companies, some of which sell this supplement; authors say no direct interest in the product.
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Safety of 12-Months Administration of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera ) Standardized Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Prospective, Observational Study.
191 people · healthy adults aged 18 to 65
TestedStandardized ashwagandha root extract for 12 months, no comparison group; dose not stated
There were 18 mild side effects and no clinically significant changes in liver tests. Serum cortisol decreased (p < 0.001). Overall improvement was rated in 68.7% of patients.
Points to benefitNo stake declaredAbstract onlyNo competing interests declared.
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Hormonal Modulation with Withania somnifera: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized-controlled Trials.
23 studies, 1,706 people · adults in 23 placebo-controlled trials
TestedOral ashwagandha compared with placebo, looking at hormone levels
Ashwagandha lowered cortisol (SMD =- 1.18, p < 0.04) and raised serotonin (MD = 31.75 ng/ml, p < 0.01). It did not change TSH or T3. Stress or anxiety scores are not reported in the abstract.
Points to benefitNo stake declaredAbstract onlyNo competing interests declared.
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Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) on stress and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
9 studies, 558 people · patients in 9 randomized trials
TestedAshwagandha compared with placebo
Ashwagandha lowered Perceived Stress Scale (MD = -4.72, 95 % CI = [-8.45 to -0.99]), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (MD = -2.19, 95 % CI = [-3.83 to -0.55]) and serum cortisol (MD = -2.58, 95 % CI = [-4.99 to -0.16]). Four trials reported mild to moderate side effects.
Points to benefitNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract onlyNo disclosure in PubMed.
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Safety and efficacy of Withania somnifera for anxiety and insomnia: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
5 studies, 254 people · people with anxiety or insomnia in 5 trials
TestedWithania somnifera compared with placebo
Anxiety scores (HAM-A) were lower with ashwagandha (MD = -5.96; [95% CI -10.34, -1.59]; P = 0.008; I2 = 98%). Trials differed a lot from each other.
Points to benefitNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract onlyNo disclosure in PubMed.
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Effects of Withania somnifera on Cortisol Levels in Stressed Human Subjects: A Systematic Review.
9 studies · stressed adults in 9 trials
TestedAshwagandha supplements for 30 to 112 days; doses and forms varied
Nine studies met the criteria. The review says ashwagandha lowered cortisol with no major side effects. No study checked whether this affected adrenal gland function or long-term health.
Points to benefitNo stake declaredAbstract onlyNo competing interests declared.
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Does Ashwagandha supplementation have a beneficial effect on the management of anxiety and stress? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
12 studies, 1,002 people · adults aged 25 to 48 in 12 trials
TestedAshwagandha extract compared with placebo; a dose analysis looked at amounts up to 12,000 mg a day
Anxiety scores fell more with ashwagandha than placebo (SMD: -1.55, 95% CI: -2.37, -0.74) and so did stress (SMD: -1.75; 95% CI: -2.29, -1.22). Trials differed a lot (I2 = 93.8%). Certainty of evidence was low.
Points to benefitNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract onlyNo disclosure in PubMed.
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Medicinal herbs for the treatment of anxiety: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.
29 studies · adults with diagnosed or mild anxiety in 29 trials of 12 herbs
TestedMany herbs compared with placebo or standard treatment, including Withania somnifera
For Withania somnifera, anxiety score (HAMA) was lower (MD: -4.90, 95% CrI: -9.70 to -0.17), but the trials were small. Authors call all results preliminary.
Points to benefitNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract onlyNo disclosure in PubMed.
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Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
5 studies, 400 people · adults 18 and older in 5 trials
TestedAshwagandha extract compared with placebo, looking mainly at sleep
Sleep improved with ashwagandha (SMD -0.59; 95% CI -0.75 to -0.42). The abstract says anxiety level also improved but gives no number for it.
Points to benefitNo stake declaredAbstract onlyNo competing interests declared.
12 papers we read and set aside as off topic
- Sarris et al., 2022. Clinician guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders with nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals: The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Taskforce. (other)
- Byrne, 2023. Interventions for generalized anxiety disorder. (opinion or narrative review)
- Lorca et al., 2023. Plant-derived nootropics and human cognition: A systematic review. (systematic review)
- Leonard et al., 2024. Acute and Repeated Ashwagandha Supplementation Improves Markers of Cognitive Function and Mood. (randomized trial)
- Prajapati et al., 2026. Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Ashwagandha Supplementation on Exercise Endurance: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Clinical Trial. (randomized trial)
- Chopra et al., 2021. Withania somnifera as a safer option to hydroxychloroquine in the chemoprophylaxis of COVID-19: Results of interim analysis. (randomized trial)
- Cooley et al., 2009. Naturopathic care for anxiety: a randomized controlled trial ISRCTN78958974. (randomized trial)
- Pages-García et al., 2024. Effectiveness of a Saffron and Withania Supplement on Mood in Women With Mild-to-Moderate Anxiety During the COVID-19 Lockdown. (trial, not randomized)
- Singh et al., 2024. A Novel Herbal Composition Alleviates Functional Constipation, Reduces Gastrointestinal Transit Time, and Improves Bowel Function in Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Study. (randomized trial)
- Deshpande et al., 2018. Study protocol and rationale for a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on nonrestorative sleep. (trial plan, no results yet)
- Ahmad et al., 2010. Withania somnifera improves semen quality by regulating reproductive hormone levels and oxidative stress in seminal plasma of infertile males. (trial, not randomized)
- Pradhan et al., 2017. Longevity and healthy ageing genes FOXO3A and SIRT3: Serum protein marker and new road map to burst oxidative stress by Withania somnifera. (population study: one-time survey)
Words on this page
- SMD (standardized mean difference)
- A way to compare results measured on different scales. About 0.2 is a small effect, 0.5 medium, and 0.8 large.
- 95% CI (confidence interval)
- The range where the true result likely lies. If the range includes no effect (1 for ratios, 0 for differences), the result is not clear.
- p-value (p =)
- How likely a result this large would be by chance if there were no real effect. Below 0.05 is usually called a clear result.
- Placebo
- A dummy pill or fake treatment, so people do not know which group they are in.
- Pooled review (meta-analysis)
- A study that combines the results of many earlier studies to get one overall answer.
- Marker
- A lab or scan result that stands in for a health outcome. A better marker does not always mean better health.
How the short answer is set
Fixed rules turn the studies into the short answer, so the same studies always give the same answer. The rules start from GRADE, a standard system for rating evidence, in plain language.
| Confidence | What it means |
|---|---|
| High | We are confident the answer is right. |
| Moderate | The answer is probably right, but it could change. |
| Low (this page) | The answer may well change. |
| Very low | Any answer is very uncertain. |
| Not tested in people | Only cell or animal studies exist. |
Why low here
- Starts high: placebo-controlled trials measured stress and anxiety scales directly.
- Lowered one level: trials were small; one review rated evidence certainty low.
- Lowered one level: results varied widely, and some trials found no placebo difference.
- Not lowered for company ties: three supporting trials declared no company stake.
How this page was made
Label
- Search
- PubMed, Nov 14, 2026. Searches written by Claude Opus 5.5; papers ranked by PubMed
- First read of all 36 papers
- Claude Sonnet
- Independent second read
- Claude Haiku
- Disagreements settled by
- Claude Opus 5.5
- Page text written by
- Claude Opus 5.5
- Charts
- Drawn by code from the study records
- Source check by a person
- Not yet. Required before search engines may list this page.
- Expert review
- No
- Papers read in full
- 0 of 36; all from PubMed abstracts
- Method
- v0.2, created Nov 14, 2026
Search. We ran four PubMed searches for ashwagandha and stress, anxiety and cortisol: pooled and systematic reviews since 2012 (10 of 28), trials in people (22 of 36), population studies (5 of 5). The first number is how many papers we read; the second is how many PubMed found. We took the ones PubMed ranks as most relevant. See the full PubMed search. Of the 36 papers read, 24 were on topic.
Limits. Digestery reads at most about 60 papers per question, so large fields are sampled, not covered in full. Abstracts can leave out key details, such as side effects and funding.
Review queue
These items wait for a person. Search engines are asked not to list the page until the first one is done.
- OpenThe short answer is new. It waits for a source check by a person.
- OpenBaker 2022 and O'Connor 2022 report the same trial (NCT05430685); count it once.
- OpenMajeed 2024 has no disclosure in PubMed but shares first author and extract type with Majeed 2023, whose authors work for Sabinsa. Check stake.
- OpenWest 2026 tests a proprietary extract but names no maker or funder, and declares no conflicts. Check full disclosure.
- OpenMahadevan 2025: abstract does not say whether stress and anxiety gains were measured against placebo; check full text.
- OpenSarris 2022 guideline rates ashwagandha (++) for anxiety disorders; kept off-topic as a broad guideline with no ashwagandha data. Confirm.
- OpenTiwari 2021 kept relevant through athlete stress questionnaires; Leonard 2024 (mood tension only) kept off-topic. Confirm both calls.
- OpenSix trial papers (Langade 2021, Tiwari 2021, Baker 2022, O'Connor 2022, Majeed 2024, Gannon 2019) have no disclosure in PubMed; stakes unknown.
- OpenGannon 2019 gives 1,000 mg without saying how often; Langade 2021 gives no dose. Dose fields left blank.
Page history
| Date | Change | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2026 | Page created from 36 papers. | First version of the page. |
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