Update: I no longer take Ashwagandha because I wanted to reduce the amount of supplements I'm taking Here's a link to my full supplement stack: drstanfield.com/pages/my-supplements 💊 MicroVitamin (multivitamin & mineral that I take): drstanfield.com/products/microvitamin 📜 Roadmap - how to look young & feel strong: drstanfield.com/pages/roadmap
Hi Dr Brad can you look if there is any research that suggests ashwagandha can cause liver damage. i don't understand much of research papers coming from tech background but i found this pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31991029/ www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666027X21000074 I have been taking ashwagandha since few months very randomly sometimes once a week or twice I do experiance great energy, & almost less to no work stress but still a bit worried about the side effects. Ashwagandha to be honest is quite popular here in India people have been taking it since a long time its even included in some daily supplements for children and adults like Chyawanprash, but I would be really worried if it caused any issues with liver.
My mom passed away a year back, I was heartbroken beyond explanation. I had haunting dreams, I cried all the time, stopped having food, used to keep talking to myself, I had a mental breakdown & I was sure that I was gonna commit suicide. Ashwagandha + Gotu Kola (a powerful nootropic) + Oil (since they're both fat soluble) , this ayurvedic combination changed my thoughts, inside out. My liver has repaired, my lipid profile has got under control. I still cry with the memories of my mother, obviously, nothing can displace the sorrow I suffer within but Ashwagandha has helped me with coping the exorbitant dreadful conditions that I was living with ! God bless the souls of the departed and give strength to the ones who are left behind with sorrows as it's the worst agony ever - to lose your beloved.
Oh dear , I am deeply sorry for your loss😔 I admire your courage and your willingness to share your personal experience. Wish you all the best and bless you for helping others with your story 🌸🌸🌸
I'm so sorry for you loss. I understand you well, my father died 8 years ago, and for me is still feels like yesterday (I try not to fight my sadness anymore, I just think that he was the most important person in my life, therefore he left a void forever, and that acceptance has helped me). I am a 48 years old woman, and I take Ashwagandha every afternoon, and Maca in the morning, and it has helped me a lot with my hormones and period discomfort. I'm happy to hear that you are doing better, and I wish you a 2021 full of health, love, joy and abundance, and everything that makes your heart sing. Big cyber-hug from Prague (Czech Republic).
I like Ashwaganda, works great to reduce my stress 👌 know if there's any anecdotal evidence from India on longterm use or any communities that have taken the herb for many years?
@@RaulEdu33 Ashwagandha has been used in India for thousands of year. Human, Animal and clinical studies have shown it to be safe and effective. There is an extract of double blind placebo controlled study proving that this can be used for stress. Its just a plant product (related to potatoes)
I have been using Ashwaganda for about 10 years. I have issues with my adrenal glands, to little cortisol in the morning and to much cortisol at night. Ashwangada has helped to balance my hormone levels, energise me at times and more importantly calm me and help with sleep in the evening. At times I stopped taking it and after a few weeks I always got back on to Ashwangada as it makes such a big difference to my life! Great to see it mentioned on your channel!
@@mouwlylee5014 I used to take 1 x 450mg, if I felt bad ai took two a day. Also the last couple of years I took it in part of a formula that had 3grams in the evening. That worked really well in times of high stress and when there was a lot of work.
@@mouwlylee5014 Currently I take it only if I feel I need it. I have taken it most of this week, as I have a lot of work and can't swith off the go go mode.
Ashwaganda is one of ancient ayurvedic and sidda herb. For covid19 there is crazy about anandayya herbal medicine given free treatment. Similar procedure explained by doctor in this video. ua-cam.com/video/Xafzc0wpuQw/v-deo.html
I've been taking it for 6 months now with no side effects, also i have put on 10 lbs of muscle and my sleep has improved significantly-thanks for the research im going to keep taking it
It's probably the best muscle builder out there....because it lowers cortisol...one major way steroids work is by lowering cortisol...stack it with creatine for mild steroid like muscle gains....
Excellent reiteration of research, Brad. I'm 74, have been taking the adaptogen ashwagandha for several years a couple hours before bed. I appreciate you pointing out the research about it lowering cortisol for better sleep!!! Thank you for this research recap video!!!!
Brad, I take medication at night that gives me restless leg syndrome. Aswaganda totally alleviated it like it never existed. I thought it was a fluke, then I took it a second night before bed. Again no restless leg syndrome. I'm pretty happy about it. I'd like to see a study done on it.
You might want to consider finding better ways to get the benefits from your Rx, without the Rx. I was able to do that with a lot of research. Ashwagandha is part of that solution.
@@pjph5585 I usually take it in the evening, but you can take it morning & evening too. The powdered plant comes in capsules that make it easy to take. It doesn’t make you drowsy (like a drug), but rather takes away anxiety and is calming. One probably needs to take it for a few weeks to feel it’s effects. I guess it depends how severe ones condition is. Give it at least a good month or two. It needs time in your body to do it’s healing thing. Buy a good quality organic if you can.
@@pjph5585 Probably best to ask someone who is a medicinal herbalist (of which I am not). I can only speak of my experience & what worked for me. When I look for an ashwagandha product, I look for pure organic herb with at least 12% withanolides which should be stated on the label. Also Maximum strength capsules. You can contact master herbalist Dr. Paul Haider. He has a UA-cam channel and has his contact details on there.
@@fatmat3460 Science has been wrong many many many times. Example, eggs are bad, eggs are good, eggs are bad, eggs are good. This science argument has been going on for decades. I still remember when avocados were "bad". Yeah that is science.
this supplement changed my life I was taking 600 mg a day and an extra 300 when I woke up at 2-3 am now I just take it twice a day ...I suffered from insomnia for 3 years ever since I changed to the keto diet ... they never stressed the importance of adaptogens since your body is physiologically stressed due to your diet change
I have been taking Ashwagandha for a year - my supplement also has pepper an is 605mg Ashwagandha. I easily get depressed and can get worked-up over nothing. I just don't get depressed anymore. Not sure how healthy this is as with ups you must have some downs and I tried to cry once and I just couldn't. However, I do feel more confident and positive. I do strength training (among other activities) and have not noticed an improvement - but I am a woman and the study was done on males. I am a little worried about long-term effects and if I should stop suddenly or wind-down to like one every other day, etc. Overall it has been a really good experience. My supplements are: AM: Omega3, NR+Resveratrol+Quercetin, and PM:Omega3, Ashgawanda Hylauronic Acid, Vitamin C. I also take hydrolized collagen powder (alternating between bovine, porcine and marine-derived) and eat kefir (fermented milk) every morning with oats, chia seeds and honey. Ciao from Italy! L
Hi Doc, been on Ashwaghanda 66 now for two months 600 mg daily, together with NMN (donotage) I’m sleeping really well, not getting muscle loss either which really helps as I’ve not been able to go to the gym since February.😀👍
@@nikhilramabadran2959 I'm on Mykind Ashwagandha. It causes no problems with cortisol levels in the morning. But if you have been sleep deprived for a while, your body may want a couple of extra hours of sleep. Try to get them by going to bed earlier, instead of sleeping later. You can test cortisol with a blood test at 8AM & 4 PM, the reference times, or you can get saliva test kit. Recuperative sleep improves adrenal health. Rhodiola is a great daytime adaptogen you might want to look into. Also you might want to get an MTHFR gene mutation test. MTHFR mutations are very common. Knowing if you have a mutation & which mutation or mutations can help with selfcare to optimize methylation.
@@lavoter when do you take the adaptogen Rhodiola, and when do you take Ashwagandha ? what was the original purpose for you taking Ashwagandha ? What's the difference in the way Rhodiola and Ashwagandha work, considering both are adaptogens?
I have been taking it for cortisol reasons. My wife complains about me going to sleep before the end of the introduction on UA-cam videos sometimes. I have experienced strength gains but had not put it down to this. Well done. I am cognitively way better coming off statins, keto, lions main and so on, or so I thought. This may be a further explanation. Anyway, I am enjoying chess and strategy games again and my short term memory is making strides. Once again, well done.
Yea Keto is ridiculous. We need an alkalizing diet to stay young. Saliva pH first thing in the morning should be 7.2-7.8, like it is in very young children/babies. This lets our cells resperate, get nutrition & excrete waste, be their best.
I started taking ashwagandha for the testosterone boost but was surprised with the mood enhancement and my improved sleep. I do want to say that I ran out of ashwagandha after 2 months of taking it and I had trouble sleeping. There is a withdrawal. Not a deal-breaker at all I just wanted people to be aware.
@@The10darksider I take KSM-66 by Physician's Choice. 2 caps a day. That's one gram of extract. Doesn't really say potency on bottle but it's one of the highest rated KSM-66/Ashwaghanda out there. Not the cheapest but not crazy either. About $17/month. Toniq supplements makes a good one as well. Sorry I couldn't be more specific. I do recommend.
Took for a month, was having terrible headaches before! Now gone, noticed I don’t get so sore after workout either! Feel like I digress when I stop taking it! It’s a very powerful herb, I only take the tea, no powder, and I use it 3 weeks on, one week off! Don’t want to become addicted to it! It really does make you feel good!
It's good for both hypo and hyperthyroidism since its an adaptogen and can be taken long term without side effects.Its a popular ayurvedic supplement here in India
I've been on Ash. for about a yr. and have noticed many improvements in sleep, muscularity, etc. and I'm 74 yrs. old. Also, i put a seizure prone dog on it and the severity and amount of seizures has seriouslly decreased.
Doctor, would love to hear what you think of Amla, the "Indian Gooseberry" which tests found to be the most antioxidant rich fruit known to mankind. By HUGE margins over any other type of food, fruit, grain, nut, herb or whatnot.
YES I am from India ,Amla is taken in various forms regularly and recently came to know found to have maximum antioxidant content but no western doctors talked about it. No one even responds about it
As always, Dr. Brad I greatly appreciate your dedication to researching and distilling down all this complex data into plain language for all of us mere mortals -:)
I occasionally use Ashwagandha when my training leaves me feeling more physically stressed than normally but I use it in the range of 5-6 grams and it works quite well. In the past when I took it in a daily low dose I didn't feel any different
Makes me feel emotionally numb in the 600 mg range, it's good if stressed out because you become kind of immune to stress but ashwagandha can also affect your thyroid gland and the hormone balance between t3 and t4.
@@mouwlylee5014 I took a break, briefly. Back on. I take a break from supplements because of budget to. We all are different, follow what feels best for you
I have been taking ASHWAGANA sporadically and have experienced some noticeable benefits. I recently had a stroke and have been trying to accelerate my recovery, which seems to have stalled. I plan to continue my intake of ASHWAGANGA on a more consistent basis.
I've anxiety issues, have a hard time getting to sleep. Ashwaganda is my go-to to quell the fires that burn at night. I've always been a night owl because of this issue. I could only get to sleep if I was completely exhausted. Ashwaganda helps me keep somewhat more normal hours.
I take ashwaghanda every night. All I needed to hear was that it was a natural herb that boosted Testosterone and I was all in!!! Haha. What I didn’t realize was that it also improved my quality of sleep too so that was a pleasant surprise while I was taking it. Now you educated me because I had no clue that it boosted BDNF too? That’s crazy I didn’t know that. I love this channel. BDNF is so important. Maybe you can educate your viewers on the importance of BDNF and what supplements boost BDNF. I know certain bacteria strains found in Probiotics boost BDNF, ashwaghanda, HIT workouts, Sleep, but I forgot what other supplements boost BDNF. Personally I think NMN boosts BDNF because I love doing HIT now and that changed the moment I started taking NMN with Fisetin.
Wow Dr Brad! I am so happy you did a video on ashwagandha 👍 I've taken it before and I'm definitely going to take it now that I've seen the scientific evidence 👏👏👏
Just started to take this supplement, I took 300 mg once in the morning and evening. I feel VERY strange, don't know if it is attributed to the Ashwagandha or not, I'm not taking any other substance(besides coffee). I am very motivated, and have a feeling of EXTREME empathy. I don't know, I'm going to wait a few days and try again a lower dose. It's kind of a blessing and a curse. Good luck everybody!
@@redberries8039 yes, I started off taking one 300 mg pill before bed. I wake up easier in the morning. Won't be experimenting during the day any longer. Lol
Great video Dr Brad! Been researching Ashwagandha and seems the critical active ingredient is withanolides which drives all the derived benefits. In terms of dosage, it's not so much the mg of Ash per se but the % withanolides embedded which varies amongst the brands. Plenty out there with
if you eat well and are not picky like vegans etc you can get everything you need from the diet with a bit of help with vit D3 and zinc. but Ashwagandha has benefits beyond supplementation. I have been researching herbs and supplements for over 20 years. I have been taking Ashwagandha an hour or two before bed for 3 weeks and I have noticed an improvement in my sleep I wake up refreshed, and I am a cyclist and my stamina has gotten stronger. it's a very gentle herb but with strong effects, but takes time to work, I noticed a change in three to four days but it's much stronger now at 3 weeks. this one is a keeper as it's the one that I have got the most results with. as to the long term it's been used for thousands of years with no problems so I think it's ok.
My job can be very demanding. Started taking Ashwagandha 4 months ago to reduce stress: 900mg daily. Prior to taking Ash, I had the feeling as if my heart was racing on some days. This is now completely gone. I am way more relaxed - it works wonders! I found however that my blood pressure got down to the lower end of what can be considered healthy. Thus changing the dose to 450mg daily now.
Thanks as always Dr. Brad. How you blast through the data in these videos at 90 miles per hour without a misstep is frankly amazing. Adding it to my supp stack now.
I prefer to take Ashwagandha occasionally, whenever I want to relax, to sleep better or before a workout. Im not sure taking it everyday is a good idea, because it might desensitize ones GABA receptors. Please correct me if Im wrong... Also it is not recommended to take ASWG before a focused intellectual activity.
Very interesting, thank you, Brad! I am 71 and want to build muscle mass since time steals it! I have been a competitive and, later, a vigorous creative ice skater. Weighing 100 to, now, a better 90 lbs. at 5' thanks to WFPB diet, being little and light is a great DELIGHT and has served me well in pair skating and in life. After a skull fracture skating and 5 yrs. later, another slight fall that, in spite of head protection ( the Ice Halo), made me feel OFF for 5 days, I gave up my beloved way of existing (moving, feeling, expressing) on earth at 67. My generation of ice skaters never valued muscular upper bodies on women, but now I covet muscles wherever I can build them, knowing how aging is better with muscles! I found the niacin flush so extraordinarily unpleasant at 150 mg, that I am now taking 25 mg 3 X a day with meals so I don't feel it at all. I am a long way from a gram a day! Your recent video on NMN has us rethinking taking it. With the help of your videos, Dr. Greger et.al., I shall consider adding yet another supplement to my stack! Thank you.
I’m not trying to encourage you not to ever try this supplement but if your a teenager like me, PLEASE be careful, I started taking this for about a week or 2 and it felt amazing, I had pretty much no anxiety, I was stronger in the gym and I was a lot better in social situations, but as soon as I finished the 2 week mark, everything jus suddenly started going downhill, I felt depressed, unmotivated, my heart rate is constantly 80-90bpm, It felt like my body was trying to react to emotions but it couldn’t, and I just felt all round horrible throughout the day. I’ve stopped taking it for about a day now, the effects are still a little there but I’m just hoping they clear up in like a week.
Just a word of caution: Apparently ashwaganda shouldn't be for those with thyroid issues (and I believe already being treated with a prescription). Do your research on this if you do have any thyroid issues.
I started taking it recently and I definitively feel increased "drive" to do stuff instead of just sitting on my chair and play videogames all day. I am usually skeptical about supplements because 9 out 10 of them will simply turn into a very expensive urine without any effect but so far I like this one. (37, male)
Of course I am going to take ashwagandha because apart from the other benefits it reduces stress. We know that stress accelerates the shortening of telomeres and therefore it leads to faster aging
Hi Brad, I have been watching your videos for quite a while and you became my utube hero. I admire your wise look at the things. And being not afraid to say it loudly. Please,keep going and who is smart enough will be yours friends like me. Thanks again. 🤗😃
I love ashwagandha. I have been taking if for about 5 years as an adaptogen and it does ease my anxiety hence my depression. You're talking about results after 10-12 weeks, don't you need to cycle it at all? I hardly ever do but would like to know. I have it in powder form, a small teaspoon a day (about 2.5g), never had any problem. It is pure root powder, not extract.
@@mathew66 for me personally I see it now as part of my own cortisol managment. Another thing for me is for sure that for over twenty years my first start and experience with adaptogen was a mix with ashwagandha Rhodiola and shilajit. The same Company sells this Kapsel till now and this was so groundbreaking for me in this times because I could really work like a horse and I really had a big mountain of work and I was just over this mountain in every moment. This is not just a word because I work for a parcel delivery company like DHL.😊 and I had really a big mountain of parcels in front of my car but I was just over the top in this moment...nothing could stop me.. Nothing could bring me to fall.
@@mathew66 I take it everyday but change between types... Sometimes ksm66...or sensoril. Between that I use somtimes other brands or other extraction rates...which I have from monkey botanical..or the exact from puka I have plain ground powder from complete plants I think and use this with ca. 20 gramm per portion in own tee bags which I double through one in another tee bag to keep the fine powder longer in the teebag space
Reducing stress and improving sleep quality, is very important I will definitely take this. I already take L-theanine for sleep quality + stress reduction and it has helped a lot, so combining the two supplements should be a great combo. Also magnesium glucinate and omega 3 before sleep helps also. Make sure that the omega-3 supplement you take before bedtime doesn't contain Vitamin-D since that makes you less sleepy. Take the Vitamin-D during daytime instead, that will make the melatonin levels rise in the evening to make you sleepy. Vitamin-D and melatonin, together with blue light, regulates your sleep rythm this way and can be used to combat jetlag also.
Did it help you sleep? I tried it for my insomnia problems and it made it much worse, I couldn't sleep all night, and it happened not just once but every time I took it (the KSM-66 version). That was such a surprise to me because I have read 2 or 3 placebo controlled clinical studies showing it helps with insomnia and even its Latin botanical species name Withania somnifera somehow alludes to its sedative or somnolescent effects.
That vitamin-D protip is excellent. I'm a bit screwed though as I take it with my only one meal of the day, close to bedtime. I'll try consuming it at the start of my feast after consuming some fat.
It have been taking Ashwagandha for about 8wks (each morning with protein drink and creatine). I have been concerned with my testosterone levels. Hard to say what influence ashwagandha is having on top of the other cocktail. I appear to be successfully recomp'ing doing weight training and feeling good. (49yr old Male)
My experiences with taking it long term weren't great, it started to fatique me and make me a bit apathetic. Maybe if your highly stressed or anxious it can balance you out.
Ashwagandha is an exogenous supplement, like Gingko Biloba. This means that after a continual period of use, the body will get used to it and the beneficial effects fade. The strategy is therefore to take it infrequently or else take it for 12 weeks and the avoid it for twelve weeks to maintain maximum benefit.
I started taking the 300mg Nootropics Ashwagandha about 3 months ago to help improve my sleep. I've noticed marked improvement as indicated by a wrist health device (Fitbit). Both deep and REM sleep were below normal range levels before, and are within normal range levels, for my gender and age, afterwards. However, I also take levothyroxin for an inactive thyroid, and I understand Ashwagandha can affect the thyroid. I notice more heart palpitations lately. What do you think about this, and would you sacrifice the improvements in sleep quality for the fluttering effects? I'm tempted to ignore the latter. Your advice is appreciated.
Update: After testing thyroid output in blood tests, it was found that I was now hyperthyroid (note that I have Hashimotos) after taking Ashwagandha for a few months. I was instructed by my doctor to reduce the levothyroxin levels I was on (by about 50%) and after that, all symptoms disappeared and blood tests were normal. There has been no negative effect on kidneys nor liver, either, fyi. Further update: my deep and REM sleep reverted to just slightly better than before taking the herb, so not much long term improvement there.
Very interesting. I've dismissed this product repeatedly as have thought it would probably contain harmful plant alkaloids and that recipients were taking it without there being any solid research to base any decisions on . Thank you so much for your diligent research. Additional , with ' the stack ' you're taking ( I'll now watch your video on that! ) how has it impacted parameters such as ; energy levels , fitness / endurance , well being, increased cognitive stamina and sleep? Or is it difficult to objectively quantify how these collectively / synergistically impacted your health? I'll now subscribe!
Hi Brad..great info ..I've been taking it on and off for years.Alternate it with Korean Ginseng to some extent.( not recommended together).You'd be aware its been used as a tonic herb across India for centuries and highly regarded in ayervedic compendium of remedies. I buy it when I get over to Himalaya trekking....at 70 my testosterone is of the scale high at 34..not sure what the cause suggested possible pituitary tumour???..anyway going pretty well...thanks again.
I take 500mg "Bio Ashwanda", no extract, since about 2 years. I take it in the hope, that it's good for me. I don't see any effect, neither positive nor negative. Maybe the dose is not high enough. Recommended dose according to the tin: 3000mg. Is an extract better?
Thank you for your videos! Your material acts as a research distillate which helps laypersons to make informed decisions about supplement intake. Keep doing what you're doing.
I'm suffering from chronic anxiety and have been for around 6 months. Don't like taking the prescribed drugs and noticed Ashwagandha while searching for herbal remedies. Been taking a KSM-66 variety of it at a doze of 550mg for 10 days. No change yet but hopi g for some very soon. Thanks for the video Brad, it gives me hope.
Wow.. this sounds exciting... My first point of interest was neurogenesis... I play competitive video game, and my performance significantly dropped in the last 2 years and I suspect old age, hoping it will help! Also, the sleep benefits that you mention, that's quite good since it just so happened that my sleep is not quite good and that got me excited too! :) And looking at your shop link, i's a cheap supplement! Sold! :D
Adaptogens must be cycled to remain effective as tolerance develops. Other good adaptogens to use on the off cycle are Rhodiola and Holy Basil. I use Ashwagandha for 3 months, then 1 month off, in the off cycle I'm using the other adaptogens. KSM-66 is the best form of ashwagandha, it is a standardised extract and only uses the most potent part, the root.
Thank you Dr. Stanfield. I appreciate your quality channel. I purchased bulk Ashgwananda powder to make tea, but it became rather clumpy & gritty and didn’t taste so good. If anybody here can offer some tips about how to prepare loose Ashgwananda to make it more palatable, please share! Thanks and Cheers!
I have a 3 month old at home and was averaging about 3 hrs of sleep a night! I was losing my mind so much so that I went to my dr thinking I had dementia! He suggested taking ashwaganda to help me sleep. It kicked in right away for me! It gave me energy during the day I can focus and I sleep perfect at night! It’s a miracle pill - I hope the benefits last long enough that my body gets use to this new way of life! Before this I was always tired and scattered brained! Now I feel alert and energized! I’ve never felt this good in my life I have to say! It works amazing for me I convinced my manager to try and it did nothing for her 🤷🏻♀️ so best of luck everyone I hope u experience it’s amazing benefits
Been taking this for 10 days now ....my varicose veins seem much better now the itchy pain and throbbing at night........I workout alot by walking everyday 6 kms .....pushups along the way walking .. ...standing squats and jumping jacks at home ....situps and weights 4 times a week ......like one day I had no pain ..I'm thinking what's going on here .....where's the pain from varicose veins in my legs ...... I took 2 to 3 tablespoons of ashweganda a day ..various times when I remembered ...NAC .....now the pain is so mild if I even get it . Will see how the muscle building is in 5 months .....thank God my legs feel better.....oh one more thing I've been eating the whole lemon every week too ...say 3 to 5 a week with blueberries and water ....
Its really good for people who feel over stimulated. If you are already calm most of the time you might feel nothing. Will help with sleep. But some people report a reduction in motivation.
I have taken a couple different brands of ASHW. And I have to say, I loved the strength it gave me when working out. And I felt like I had more energy... BUT I have the opposite experience with sleep. It makes me not sleep. I can only take it in the mornings and even still... I have trouble going to sleep. And staying asleep on it. I have lowered the dose which helps some. But some of the other benefits go away. 😬. ETA I don’t have a regular issue with sleep. From time to time I do. But normally. I can go to sleep with a tiny melatonin. And stay asleep pretty well unless I have to go to the bathroom.
Dr Brad can i ask why you dont take Ashwagandha anymore please? its not in your stack, i would like to take it for stress etc, want to make sure its safe.
I'm not a Dr but this herb boosts the immune system so people with immune issues like me should not take it. I had a horrible flare up of my scleroderma and ended up barely able to walk. I stopped it immediately and have begun to get more mobility.
Have been taking Ashw. for a while due to sleep problems (early waking which might be cortisol related), but not routinely enough. Thanks for posting this detailed review. It has caused me to revisit taking Ashw on a more regular basis. BTW, anything plant derived (i.e. some form of polyphenol) I now take with a small amount of fat, usually a few olives or a walnut due to evidence that it increases plasma levels for several hours.
Tks Dr. Brad Stanfield. Nice video. A question: in the clinical research capsules containing either 240 mg of an ashwagandha extract and the extract was standardized by high-performance liquid to contain 35% withanolide glycosides. Participants were instructed to take 1 capsule (with 84 mg withanolide glycosides). It is not very clear how much "active ingredient" the capsules that are found in Amazon have. Do you know how much active ingredient does the product you suggest have?
Update: I no longer take Ashwagandha because I wanted to reduce the amount of supplements I'm taking
Here's a link to my full supplement stack: drstanfield.com/pages/my-supplements
💊 MicroVitamin (multivitamin & mineral that I take): drstanfield.com/products/microvitamin
📜 Roadmap - how to look young & feel strong: drstanfield.com/pages/roadmap
more nootropic videos please??
can i take Ashwagandha with irish sea moss together yeah ??
Woow that's amazing thank you soo much!
Can you do an update on your experience taking it?
Hi Dr Brad can you look if there is any research that suggests ashwagandha can cause liver damage. i don't understand much of research papers coming from tech background but i found this pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31991029/
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666027X21000074
I have been taking ashwagandha since few months very randomly sometimes once a week or twice I do experiance great energy, & almost less to no work stress but still a bit worried about the side effects.
Ashwagandha to be honest is quite popular here in India people have been taking it since a long time its even included in some daily supplements for children and adults like Chyawanprash, but I would be really worried if it caused any issues with liver.
My mom passed away a year back, I was heartbroken beyond explanation.
I had haunting dreams, I cried all the time, stopped having food, used to keep talking to myself, I had a mental breakdown & I was sure that I was gonna commit suicide.
Ashwagandha + Gotu Kola (a powerful nootropic) + Oil (since they're both fat soluble) , this ayurvedic combination changed my thoughts, inside out. My liver has repaired, my lipid profile has got under control.
I still cry with the memories of my mother, obviously, nothing can displace the sorrow I suffer within but Ashwagandha has helped me with coping the exorbitant dreadful conditions that I was living with !
God bless the souls of the departed and give strength to the ones who are left behind with sorrows as it's the worst agony ever - to lose your beloved.
Oh dear , I am deeply sorry for your loss😔 I admire your courage and your willingness to share your personal experience. Wish you all the best and bless you for helping others with your story 🌸🌸🌸
Take care gentle soul.
I'm so sorry for you loss. I understand you well, my father died 8 years ago, and for me is still feels like yesterday (I try not to fight my sadness anymore, I just think that he was the most important person in my life, therefore he left a void forever, and that acceptance has helped me). I am a 48 years old woman, and I take Ashwagandha every afternoon, and Maca in the morning, and it has helped me a lot with my hormones and period discomfort. I'm happy to hear that you are doing better, and I wish you a 2021 full of health, love, joy and abundance, and everything that makes your heart sing. Big cyber-hug from Prague (Czech Republic).
@@camila72 Thank you for being so kind and thanks for the motivation. All the blessings from India on your way to Prague.
Thank you for sharing that! Sending you blessing ❤️
I have been selling pure ashwagandha on Amazon for years but it's a hard job educating people on the benefits. Thanks for this video
I like Ashwaganda, works great to reduce my stress 👌 know if there's any anecdotal evidence from India on longterm use or any communities that have taken the herb for many years?
@@RaulEdu33 looking for the same question.
Did u die or something answer the question dude
@@RaulEdu33 Ashwagandha has been used in India for thousands of year. Human, Animal and clinical studies have shown it to be safe and effective. There is an extract of double blind placebo controlled study proving that this can be used for stress. Its just a plant product (related to potatoes)
@@ganeshkrishnan7295 Awesome Thanks Ganesh. What dose do you recommend? Is it best to cycle Ashwaganda after taking it for consecutive days?
I have been using Ashwaganda for about 10 years. I have issues with my adrenal glands, to little cortisol in the morning and to much cortisol at night. Ashwangada has helped to balance my hormone levels, energise me at times and more importantly calm me and help with sleep in the evening. At times I stopped taking it and after a few weeks I always got back on to Ashwangada as it makes such a big difference to my life! Great to see it mentioned on your channel!
Hi can you tell me how much you take a day ? Thank you
@@mouwlylee5014 I used to take 1 x 450mg, if I felt bad ai took two a day. Also the last couple of years I took it in part of a formula that had 3grams in the evening. That worked really well in times of high stress and when there was a lot of work.
@@Bellaregina11 thank you. You still taking it now or no?
@@mouwlylee5014 Currently I take it only if I feel I need it. I have taken it most of this week, as I have a lot of work and can't swith off the go go mode.
Ashwaganda is one of ancient ayurvedic and sidda herb. For covid19 there is crazy about anandayya herbal medicine given free treatment. Similar procedure explained by doctor in this video. ua-cam.com/video/Xafzc0wpuQw/v-deo.html
I've been taking it for 6 months now with no side effects, also i have put on 10 lbs of muscle and my sleep has improved significantly-thanks for the research im going to keep taking it
Kelly what brand do you take . I have tried several and they were crap. ☺️
10 lbs of muscle in 6 months? You sure its aswagandha and not dbol or something
@@highwayman1932 newbie gains
It's probably the best muscle builder out there....because it lowers cortisol...one major way steroids work is by lowering cortisol...stack it with creatine for mild steroid like muscle gains....
@@highwayman1932 lol
Excellent reiteration of research, Brad. I'm 74, have been taking the adaptogen ashwagandha for several years a couple hours before bed. I appreciate you pointing out the research about it lowering cortisol for better sleep!!! Thank you for this research recap video!!!!
Thx young lady
There is an indian stack, Aswagandha, Guduchhi, Tulsi, Neem, Turmeric, you can explore.
Brad, I take medication at night that gives me restless leg syndrome. Aswaganda totally alleviated it like it never existed. I thought it was a fluke, then I took it a second night before bed. Again no restless leg syndrome. I'm pretty happy about it. I'd like to see a study done on it.
Do you take the capsule form or the powder ? Which one is best and more effective ?
@@karimsakande2887 Both are same. capsule is just the powder covered with gelatin.
You might want to consider finding better ways to get the benefits from your Rx, without the Rx. I was able to do that with a lot of research. Ashwagandha is part of that solution.
@@karimsakande2887 Capsule
I've been taking it for years. No adverse side effects. Helps with anxiety and I get a calm sleep.
How do you drink it? Is it in the morning or in the evening?
@@pjph5585 I usually take it in the evening, but you can take it morning & evening too. The powdered plant comes in capsules that make it easy to take. It doesn’t make you drowsy (like a drug), but rather takes away anxiety and is calming. One probably needs to take it for a few weeks to feel it’s effects. I guess it depends how severe ones condition is. Give it at least a good month or two. It needs time in your body to do it’s healing thing. Buy a good quality organic if you can.
@@DivineSource444 each brand of ashwagandha can lower your cortisol right? As long as ashwagandha?
@@pjph5585 Probably best to ask someone who is a medicinal herbalist (of which I am not). I can only speak of my experience & what worked for me. When I look for an ashwagandha product, I look for pure organic herb with at least 12% withanolides which should be stated on the label. Also Maximum strength capsules. You can contact master herbalist Dr. Paul Haider. He has a UA-cam channel and has his contact details on there.
We don't know the long term effects??? Why not ask people in India. They been taking it for decades.
Its more like 3000 + year.
That's not how science works.
@@fatmat3460 Science has been wrong many many many times. Example, eggs are bad, eggs are good, eggs are bad, eggs are good. This science argument has been going on for decades. I still remember when avocados were "bad". Yeah that is science.
@@davesaenz3732 That wasn't science, that was vegan activism.
@@davesaenz3732 Shall we count the number of times "ancient wisdom" was wrong? I'll happily start with my own people
I take it in the evening. Definitely helps with sleep. I also drink camomile in the evening (apigenin), and they work well together.
One problem, apigenin is very unstable, the heat from the water may degrade the molecule
The testosterone study study said it was not statistically significant compared to placebo but you present it as confirmation that it works.
this supplement changed my life I was taking 600 mg a day and an extra 300 when I woke up at 2-3 am now I just take it twice a day ...I suffered from insomnia for 3 years ever since I changed to the keto diet ... they never stressed the importance of adaptogens since your body is physiologically stressed due to your diet change
I have been taking Ashwagandha for a year - my supplement also has pepper an is 605mg Ashwagandha. I easily get depressed and can get worked-up over nothing. I just don't get depressed anymore. Not sure how healthy this is as with ups you must have some downs and I tried to cry once and I just couldn't. However, I do feel more confident and positive. I do strength training (among other activities) and have not noticed an improvement - but I am a woman and the study was done on males. I am a little worried about long-term effects and if I should stop suddenly or wind-down to like one every other day, etc. Overall it has been a really good experience. My supplements are: AM: Omega3, NR+Resveratrol+Quercetin, and PM:Omega3, Ashgawanda Hylauronic Acid, Vitamin C. I also take hydrolized collagen powder (alternating between bovine, porcine and marine-derived) and eat kefir (fermented milk) every morning with oats, chia seeds and honey. Ciao from Italy! L
I have been taking it for 4 months every day 470mg. It works for me really good.it helped with my stress levels and depression. Great video thank you
Hi Doc, been on Ashwaghanda 66 now for two months 600 mg daily, together with NMN (donotage) I’m sleeping really well, not getting muscle loss either which really helps as I’ve not been able to go to the gym since February.😀👍
do your cortisol levels get restored by the morning? Because we do need cortisol to stay alert during the day
@@nikhilramabadran2959 I'm on Mykind Ashwagandha. It causes no problems with cortisol levels in the morning. But if you have been sleep deprived for a while, your body may want a couple of extra hours of sleep. Try to get them by going to bed earlier, instead of sleeping later. You can test cortisol with a blood test at 8AM & 4 PM, the reference times, or you can get saliva test kit. Recuperative sleep improves adrenal health. Rhodiola is a great daytime adaptogen you might want to look into. Also you might want to get an MTHFR gene mutation test. MTHFR mutations are very common. Knowing if you have a mutation & which mutation or mutations can help with selfcare to optimize methylation.
@@lavoter when do you take the adaptogen Rhodiola, and when do you take Ashwagandha ? what was the original purpose for you taking Ashwagandha ? What's the difference in the way Rhodiola and Ashwagandha work, considering both are adaptogens?
Brilliant, Dr Stanfield. I’m sold on it...I’ll be trying it.
I am going back to taking it again. My Mom's medical doctor prescribed for her and she's elderly, so I surmise it is safe.
I have been taking it for cortisol reasons. My wife complains about me going to sleep before the end of the introduction on UA-cam videos sometimes. I have experienced strength gains but had not put it down to this. Well done. I am cognitively way better coming off statins, keto, lions main and so on, or so I thought. This may be a further explanation. Anyway, I am enjoying chess and strategy games again and my short term memory is making strides. Once again, well done.
Yea Keto is ridiculous. We need an alkalizing diet to stay young. Saliva pH first thing in the morning should be 7.2-7.8, like it is in very young children/babies. This lets our cells resperate, get nutrition & excrete waste, be their best.
I started taking ashwagandha for the testosterone boost but was surprised with the mood enhancement and my improved sleep. I do want to say that I ran out of ashwagandha after 2 months of taking it and I had trouble sleeping. There is a withdrawal. Not a deal-breaker at all I just wanted people to be aware.
Dose?
@@The10darksider I take KSM-66 by Physician's Choice. 2 caps a day. That's one gram of extract. Doesn't really say potency on bottle but it's one of the highest rated KSM-66/Ashwaghanda out there. Not the cheapest but not crazy either. About $17/month. Toniq supplements makes a good one as well. Sorry I couldn't be more specific. I do recommend.
Been on it for 8 months @ 900mg, good product helps in the gym, I am 71 years old NO side effects at all, 300 mg/day did nothing.
Took for a month, was having terrible headaches before! Now gone, noticed I don’t get so sore after workout either! Feel like I digress when I stop taking it! It’s a very powerful herb, I only take the tea, no powder, and I use it 3 weeks on, one week off! Don’t want to become addicted to it! It really does make you feel good!
i started taking Ashwagandha a couple days prior to your video. i'm glad i caught your video.
It's good for both hypo and hyperthyroidism since its an adaptogen and can be taken long term without side effects.Its a popular ayurvedic supplement here in India
Great vid, but you missed going over the different types, such as KSM-66 for example, as well as extract ratios. Keep up the good work sir!
Can you elaborate please?
I've been on Ash. for about a yr. and have noticed many improvements in sleep, muscularity, etc. and I'm 74 yrs. old. Also, i put a seizure prone dog on it and the severity and amount of seizures has seriouslly decreased.
Doctor, would love to hear what you think of Amla, the "Indian Gooseberry" which tests found to be the most antioxidant rich fruit known to mankind. By HUGE margins over any other type of food, fruit, grain, nut, herb or whatnot.
YES I am from India ,Amla is taken in various forms regularly and recently came to know found to have maximum antioxidant content but no western doctors talked about it.
No one even responds about it
As always, Dr. Brad I greatly appreciate your dedication to researching and distilling down all this complex data into plain language for all of us mere mortals -:)
I occasionally use Ashwagandha when my training leaves me feeling more physically stressed than normally but I use it in the range of 5-6 grams and it works quite well. In the past when I took it in a daily low dose I didn't feel any different
Makes me feel emotionally numb in the 600 mg range, it's good if stressed out because you become kind of immune to stress but ashwagandha can also affect your thyroid gland and the hormone balance between t3 and t4.
Been taking this for almost 2 years. Always feel good.
Hi can you tell me you taking a break from it or no? And you still taking it? Thank you
@@mouwlylee5014 I took a break, briefly. Back on. I take a break from supplements because of budget to. We all are different, follow what feels best for you
Thanks for the video. I was taking Ashwaganda inconsistently. Will be taking every day now.
I have been taking ASHWAGANA sporadically and have experienced some noticeable benefits. I recently had a stroke and have been trying to accelerate my recovery, which seems to have stalled. I plan to continue my intake of ASHWAGANGA on a more consistent basis.
Im sorry for your stroke
Keep taking it forsure
Thanks Brad. Can you do a video about rhodiola rosea? Greetings from Germany!
also moringa powder please Brad
Love a high quality Rhodiola!! Greetings from Alaska!
I've anxiety issues, have a hard time getting to sleep. Ashwaganda is my go-to to quell the fires that burn at night.
I've always been a night owl because of this issue. I could only get to sleep if I was completely exhausted.
Ashwaganda helps me keep somewhat more normal hours.
I take ashwaghanda every night. All I needed to hear was that it was a natural herb that boosted Testosterone and I was all in!!! Haha. What I didn’t realize was that it also improved my quality of sleep too so that was a pleasant surprise while I was taking it. Now you educated me because I had no clue that it boosted BDNF too? That’s crazy I didn’t know that. I love this channel. BDNF is so important.
Maybe you can educate your viewers on the importance of BDNF and what supplements boost BDNF. I know certain bacteria strains found in Probiotics boost BDNF, ashwaghanda, HIT workouts, Sleep, but I forgot what other supplements boost BDNF. Personally I think NMN boosts BDNF because I love doing HIT now and that changed the moment I started taking NMN with Fisetin.
Wow Dr Brad! I am so happy you did a video on ashwagandha 👍 I've taken it before and I'm definitely going to take it now that I've seen the scientific evidence 👏👏👏
Just started to take this supplement, I took 300 mg once in the morning and evening. I feel VERY strange, don't know if it is attributed to the Ashwagandha or not, I'm not taking any other substance(besides coffee).
I am very motivated, and have a feeling of EXTREME empathy.
I don't know, I'm going to wait a few days and try again a lower dose. It's kind of a blessing and a curse.
Good luck everybody!
I just take it evenings. It's too strong an effect for me daytimes.
@@redberries8039 yes, I started off taking one 300 mg pill before bed. I wake up easier in the morning. Won't be experimenting during the day any longer. Lol
@@RealBradMiller 2hrs before bed is good for box set TV :)
I'll keep it in mind for stress and sleep, but have no need for it now. Fasting also boosts BDNF and autophagy.
There we go you answered my question. Fasting also boosts BDNF!!! I knew there was something else. We need a BDNF video.
Great video Dr Brad! Been researching Ashwagandha and seems the critical active ingredient is withanolides which drives all the derived benefits. In terms of dosage, it's not so much the mg of Ash per se but the % withanolides embedded which varies amongst the brands. Plenty out there with
I have been taking ashwagandha for many years always with great responses certainly no toxic effects.
if you eat well and are not picky like vegans etc you can get everything you need from the diet
with a bit of help with vit D3 and zinc.
but Ashwagandha has benefits beyond supplementation.
I have been researching herbs and supplements for over 20 years.
I have been taking Ashwagandha an hour or two before bed for 3 weeks and I have noticed an improvement in my sleep I wake up refreshed, and I am a cyclist and my stamina has gotten stronger.
it's a very gentle herb but with strong effects, but takes time to work, I noticed a change in three to four days but it's much stronger now at 3 weeks.
this one is a keeper as it's the one that I have got the most results with.
as to the long term it's been used for thousands of years with no problems so I think it's ok.
My job can be very demanding. Started taking Ashwagandha 4 months ago to reduce stress: 900mg daily. Prior to taking Ash, I had the feeling as if my heart was racing on some days. This is now completely gone. I am way more relaxed - it works wonders! I found however that my blood pressure got down to the lower end of what can be considered healthy. Thus changing the dose to 450mg daily now.
And? Still feeling better with the lower dose?
I started on November 1, 2020.
I take it before going to bed. I sleep like a log!
Thanks as always Dr. Brad. How you blast through the data in these videos at 90 miles per hour without a misstep is frankly amazing. Adding it to my supp stack now.
That is because he takes Ashwagandha. 🤠
I prefer to take Ashwagandha occasionally, whenever I want to relax, to sleep better or before a workout. Im not sure taking it everyday is a good idea, because it might desensitize ones GABA receptors. Please correct me if Im wrong... Also it is not recommended to take ASWG before a focused intellectual activity.
IVe been taking it for over six months, it’s worth it.
Hands down best supplement I've ever used...just miraculous!!!
Great video
Been using this supplement for many years . Other countries have used this for hundreds of years
Very interesting, thank you, Brad! I am 71 and want to build muscle mass since time steals it! I have been a competitive and, later, a vigorous creative ice skater. Weighing 100 to, now, a better 90 lbs. at 5' thanks to WFPB diet, being little and light is a great DELIGHT and has served me well in pair skating and in life. After a skull fracture skating and 5 yrs. later, another slight fall that, in spite of head protection ( the Ice Halo), made me feel OFF for 5 days, I gave up my beloved way of existing (moving, feeling, expressing) on earth at 67. My generation of ice skaters never valued muscular upper bodies on women, but now I covet muscles wherever I can build them, knowing how aging is better with muscles! I found the niacin flush so extraordinarily unpleasant at 150 mg, that I am now taking 25 mg 3 X a day with meals so I don't feel it at all. I am a long way from a gram a day! Your recent video on NMN has us rethinking taking it. With the help of your videos, Dr. Greger et.al., I shall consider adding yet another supplement to my stack! Thank you.
I tried 600mg for a month last year but found it too sedating. Think I'll give 300mg a shot.
INRE: the side effects: it's been a premier tonic herb in Ayurveda for thousand of years; that's enough for me!
I’m not trying to encourage you not to ever try this supplement but if your a teenager like me, PLEASE be careful, I started taking this for about a week or 2 and it felt amazing, I had pretty much no anxiety, I was stronger in the gym and I was a lot better in social situations, but as soon as I finished the 2 week mark, everything jus suddenly started going downhill, I felt depressed, unmotivated, my heart rate is constantly 80-90bpm, It felt like my body was trying to react to emotions but it couldn’t, and I just felt all round horrible throughout the day. I’ve stopped taking it for about a day now, the effects are still a little there but I’m just hoping they clear up in like a week.
Just a word of caution: Apparently ashwaganda shouldn't be for those with thyroid issues (and I believe already being treated with a prescription). Do your research on this if you do have any thyroid issues.
Honest report.
So after a year of supplementing with Ashwagandha does it live up to the claims?
I started taking it recently and I definitively feel increased "drive" to do stuff instead of just sitting on my chair and play videogames all day. I am usually skeptical about supplements because 9 out 10 of them will simply turn into a very expensive urine without any effect but so far I like this one. (37, male)
Yes, more executive functioning
Of course I am going to take ashwagandha because apart from the other benefits it reduces stress. We know that stress accelerates the shortening of telomeres and therefore it leads to faster aging
Hi Dr Brad, are we supposed to cycle on and off Ashwagandha? Thank you for all your hard work!
Could you please do a review on CBD oil????
Hi Brad, I have been watching your videos for quite a while and you became my utube hero. I admire your wise look at the things. And being not afraid to say it loudly. Please,keep going and who is smart enough will be yours friends like me. Thanks again. 🤗😃
Great quality video Brad. I love the background. And I’m absolutely going to take Ashw now. Thank you.
I'll be keeping this one in the back of my mind for when I might need it down the road.
I love ashwagandha. I have been taking if for about 5 years as an adaptogen and it does ease my anxiety hence my depression. You're talking about results after 10-12 weeks, don't you need to cycle it at all? I hardly ever do but would like to know. I have it in powder form, a small teaspoon a day (about 2.5g), never had any problem. It is pure root powder, not extract.
Hi you still taking it now? Thank you. And any Bad side effects?
@@mouwlylee5014 I cycle it with other things. No I never had any side effect, only positive results.
Can you tell me what other things you cycle with ashwagandha ? Thank you again
@@mouwlylee5014 I cycle with rhodiola, mucuna pruriens and macca.
Brad, your channel is the best ! I’ve been taking Ashwaganda at intervals but never clear on the mechanisms.
Thanks for clarifying 👍
Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for the support
I use Ashwaganda since many years and its a fixed Staple in all my days and for sure till to my death.
me too, years into it and really grateful I found it.
What do you see as your own personal benefits of taking it if you don’t mind me asking? Eg stress, anxiety, muscle growth...
@@mathew66 for me personally I see it now as part of my own cortisol managment. Another thing for me is for sure that for over twenty years my first start and experience with adaptogen was a mix with ashwagandha Rhodiola and shilajit. The same Company sells this Kapsel till now and this was so groundbreaking for me in this times because I could really work like a horse and I really had a big mountain of work and I was just over this mountain in every moment. This is not just a word because I work for a parcel delivery company like DHL.😊 and I had really a big mountain of parcels in front of my car but I was just over the top in this moment...nothing could stop me.. Nothing could bring me to fall.
@@Viertelfranzose do you cycle it or take it everyday? I’ve struggled to find any legitimate reasons to cycle it but so many I’ve seen say they do.
@@mathew66 I take it everyday but change between types... Sometimes ksm66...or sensoril. Between that I use somtimes other brands or other extraction rates...which I have from monkey botanical..or the exact from puka I have plain ground powder from complete plants I think and use this with ca. 20 gramm per portion in own tee bags which I double through one in another tee bag to keep the fine powder longer in the teebag space
Reducing stress and improving sleep quality, is very important I will definitely take this. I already take L-theanine for sleep quality + stress reduction and it has helped a lot, so combining the two supplements should be a great combo.
Also magnesium glucinate and omega 3 before sleep helps also. Make sure that the omega-3 supplement you take before bedtime doesn't contain Vitamin-D since that makes you less sleepy. Take the Vitamin-D during daytime instead, that will make the melatonin levels rise in the evening to make you sleepy.
Vitamin-D and melatonin, together with blue light, regulates your sleep rythm this way and can be used to combat jetlag also.
Did it help you sleep? I tried it for my insomnia problems and it made it much worse, I couldn't sleep all night, and it happened not just once but every time I took it (the KSM-66 version). That was such a surprise to me because I have read 2 or 3 placebo controlled clinical studies showing it helps with insomnia and even its Latin botanical species name Withania somnifera somehow alludes to its sedative or somnolescent effects.
That vitamin-D protip is excellent. I'm a bit screwed though as I take it with my only one meal of the day, close to bedtime. I'll try consuming it at the start of my feast after consuming some fat.
It have been taking Ashwagandha for about 8wks (each morning with protein drink and creatine). I have been concerned with my testosterone levels.
Hard to say what influence ashwagandha is having on top of the other cocktail. I appear to be successfully recomp'ing doing weight training and feeling good. (49yr old Male)
Very interesting video!
And I really like your new background. Much more interesting than the black screen. :)
My experiences with taking it long term weren't great, it started to fatique me and make me a bit apathetic. Maybe if your highly stressed or anxious it can balance you out.
I just take it evenings, relaxing with the TV
Sounds bit like ssri's ...fatigue and apathy etc
Maybe being fatigue was from something else
@@thegalhorowitz yup the suicide pills 🤣
Ashwagandha is an exogenous supplement, like Gingko Biloba.
This means that after a continual period of use, the body will get used to it and the
beneficial effects fade. The strategy is therefore to take it infrequently or else take it
for 12 weeks and the avoid it for twelve weeks to maintain maximum benefit.
Thank you, i was trying to find this answer!
Basically all if not most herbs you have to cycle like for example
Holy basil?
I started taking the 300mg Nootropics Ashwagandha about 3 months ago to help improve my sleep. I've noticed marked improvement as indicated by a wrist health device (Fitbit). Both deep and REM sleep were below normal range levels before, and are within normal range levels, for my gender and age, afterwards. However, I also take levothyroxin for an inactive thyroid, and I understand Ashwagandha can affect the thyroid. I notice more heart palpitations lately. What do you think about this, and would you sacrifice the improvements in sleep quality for the fluttering effects? I'm tempted to ignore the latter. Your advice is appreciated.
Update: After testing thyroid output in blood tests, it was found that I was now hyperthyroid (note that I have Hashimotos) after taking Ashwagandha for a few months. I was instructed by my doctor to reduce the levothyroxin levels I was on (by about 50%) and after that, all symptoms disappeared and blood tests were normal. There has been no negative effect on kidneys nor liver, either, fyi. Further update: my deep and REM sleep reverted to just slightly better than before taking the herb, so not much long term improvement there.
Very interesting. I've dismissed this product repeatedly as have thought it would probably contain harmful plant alkaloids and that recipients were taking it without there being any solid research to base any decisions on . Thank you so much for your diligent research.
Additional , with ' the stack ' you're taking ( I'll now watch your video on that! ) how has it impacted parameters such as ; energy levels , fitness / endurance , well being, increased cognitive stamina and sleep? Or is it difficult to objectively quantify how these collectively / synergistically impacted your health?
I'll now subscribe!
Hi Brad..great info ..I've been taking it on and off for years.Alternate it with Korean Ginseng to some extent.( not recommended together).You'd be aware its been used as a tonic herb across India for centuries and highly regarded in ayervedic compendium of remedies. I buy it when I get over to Himalaya trekking....at 70 my testosterone is of the scale high at 34..not sure what the cause suggested possible pituitary tumour???..anyway going pretty well...thanks again.
I take 500mg "Bio Ashwanda", no extract, since about 2 years. I take it in the hope, that it's good for me. I don't see any effect, neither positive nor negative. Maybe the dose is not high enough. Recommended dose according to the tin: 3000mg. Is an extract better?
I just bought 500g powder (purity 100%) last week and plan is to take 1 table spoon daily, which is 3-4 grams
Look into magnesium glyconate too. Or black seed oil. There are many things you can be deficient in that might not have to do with what this might fix
Thank you for your videos!
Your material acts as a research distillate which helps laypersons to make informed decisions about supplement intake. Keep doing what you're doing.
I have added it. Thanks so much for your excellent videos.
Been taking 3days, last two nights have been best sleep ever! I am in awe. And arthritis is not hurting. I am 70.
I'm suffering from chronic anxiety and have been for around 6 months. Don't like taking the prescribed drugs and noticed Ashwagandha while searching for herbal remedies. Been taking a KSM-66 variety of it at a doze of 550mg for 10 days. No change yet but hopi g for some very soon. Thanks for the video Brad, it gives me hope.
Any impact later on ?
Any improvements?
good herbs for anxiety..research.. chinese , indian and western
I have been taking Ashwagandh and Brahmi for 7 years and there has been no side effects
Love it, everything you are slowly adding I have already been doing for years now. Thank you for giving me more info. Highly appreciated...”)
Sounds good. Thanks for all of the information you share. Appreciated
Wow.. this sounds exciting...
My first point of interest was neurogenesis... I play competitive video game, and my performance significantly dropped in the last 2 years and I suspect old age, hoping it will help!
Also, the sleep benefits that you mention, that's quite good since it just so happened that my sleep is not quite good and that got me excited too! :)
And looking at your shop link, i's a cheap supplement! Sold! :D
Adaptogens must be cycled to remain effective as tolerance develops. Other good adaptogens to use on the off cycle are Rhodiola and Holy Basil. I use Ashwagandha for 3 months, then 1 month off, in the off cycle I'm using the other adaptogens. KSM-66 is the best form of ashwagandha, it is a standardised extract and only uses the most potent part, the root.
thanks and interesting
Thank you Dr. Stanfield. I appreciate your quality channel. I purchased bulk Ashgwananda powder to make tea, but it became rather clumpy & gritty and didn’t taste so good. If anybody here can offer some tips about how to prepare loose Ashgwananda to make it more palatable, please share! Thanks and Cheers!
Regarding long=term 'over dose' you could consider rotating it in and out of your regime, monthly breaks, or otherwise.
Been taking it for a few months now. It does sound promising. Thanks for the additional information.
I have a 3 month old at home and was averaging about 3 hrs of sleep a night!
I was losing my mind so much so that I went to my dr thinking I had dementia!
He suggested taking ashwaganda to help me sleep.
It kicked in right away for me! It gave me energy during the day I can focus and I sleep perfect at night!
It’s a miracle pill - I hope the benefits last long enough that my body gets use to this new way of life!
Before this I was always tired and scattered brained!
Now I feel alert and energized!
I’ve never felt this good in my life I have to say! It works amazing for me I convinced my manager to try and it did nothing for her 🤷🏻♀️ so best of luck everyone I hope u experience it’s amazing benefits
A supplement is prone to be rather expensive when it's widely available in powder form in Indian stores dirt cheap.
Been taking this for 10 days now ....my varicose veins seem much better now the itchy pain and throbbing at night........I workout alot by walking everyday 6 kms .....pushups along the way walking .. ...standing squats and jumping jacks at home ....situps and weights 4 times a week ......like one day I had no pain ..I'm thinking what's going on here .....where's the pain from varicose veins in my legs ...... I took 2 to 3 tablespoons of ashweganda a day ..various times when I remembered ...NAC .....now the pain is so mild if I even get it .
Will see how the muscle building is in 5 months .....thank God my legs feel better.....oh one more thing I've been eating the whole lemon every week too ...say 3 to 5 a week with blueberries and water ....
Just started talking and I will let you know
Thank you
Peter
Great review, thanks for the knowledge!
Thanks Dr Stanfield, I have been taking it for the testosterone benefits and to decrease cortisol.
Its really good for people who feel over stimulated. If you are already calm most of the time you might feel nothing. Will help with sleep. But some people report a reduction in motivation.
I have taken a couple different brands of ASHW. And I have to say, I loved the strength it gave me when working out. And I felt like I had more energy... BUT I have the opposite experience with sleep. It makes me not sleep. I can only take it in the mornings and even still... I have trouble going to sleep. And staying asleep on it. I have lowered the dose which helps some. But some of the other benefits go away. 😬. ETA I don’t have a regular issue with sleep. From time to time I do. But normally. I can go to sleep with a tiny melatonin. And stay asleep pretty well unless I have to go to the bathroom.
Maybe you should minimize the daily dosage you take
Dr Brad can i ask why you dont take Ashwagandha anymore please? its not in your stack, i would like to take it for stress etc, want to make sure its safe.
I love Ashwagandha...it helps me feel calm and I sleep well. I take it for a few months (usually during winter) and then stop for a while.
Thanks Dr!
Do you think people who have had an autoimmune disease should not have ashwagandha?
Also can you please do a video on Inositol?
I'm not a Dr but this herb boosts the immune system so people with immune issues like me should not take it. I had a horrible flare up of my scleroderma and ended up barely able to walk. I stopped it immediately and have begun to get more mobility.
Have been taking Ashw. for a while due to sleep problems (early waking which might be cortisol related), but not routinely enough. Thanks for posting this detailed review. It has caused me to revisit taking Ashw on a more regular basis. BTW, anything plant derived (i.e. some form of polyphenol) I now take with a small amount of fat, usually a few olives or a walnut due to evidence that it increases plasma levels for several hours.
This herb has been life changing for me at least 👍
Haven't started taking it yet but from what I read, people are taking a whole lot more than 600 mg./day.
Tks Dr. Brad Stanfield. Nice video. A question: in the clinical research capsules containing either 240 mg of an ashwagandha extract and the extract was standardized by high-performance liquid to contain 35% withanolide glycosides. Participants were instructed to take 1 capsule (with 84 mg withanolide glycosides). It is not very clear how much "active ingredient" the capsules that are found in Amazon have. Do you know how much active ingredient does the product you suggest have?
I use 300 mg of ksm-66 extract PLUS 1 crushed pill of himalaya Ashwagandha in my smoothies. I also use 250 mg of PrimaVie Shilajit with it. Amazing.
I only use and sell the actual herb. Here is why ua-cam.com/video/X8diVIAt66U/v-deo.html.