How Long Does Ashwagandha Take to Work?

Ashwagandha has become one of the most talked-about natural supplements in the world of health and wellness. If you have heard about it from friends, seen it in health stores, or come across it on social media, you might be wondering why.

This ancient herb is not a new discovery on the market. It is probably one of the oldest supplements, having been used for centuries in Ayurveda, a traditional Indian medicine system. It is used as an adaptogen to reduce stress, improve sleep, boost energy, balance hormones, support muscle growth, improve focus, and more.

Today, we are taking a deep dive into what you can expect when you use it. We examine how it works, how long it takes to feel its effects, and what you can do to optimise its performance for you.

Health Benefits of Ashwagandha and How it Works

When ashwagandha enters the body, it works in various ways to support different bodily functions. For example, it helps regulate a hormone called cortisol. When you are stressed, the levels of this hormone increase, which can make you feel more anxious, tired, and even cause weight gain. Ashwagandha helps lower cortisol levels, which helps to prevent or minimise these symptoms.

Why not also read: Ashwagandha Benefits for Females

Another benefit of Ashwagandha is its promotion of brain function. It enhances brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, which are responsible for how happy, calm, or focused you feel. This helps you relax, improve your mood, and reduce feelings of sadness and stress.

When it comes to immunity, ashwagandha helps reduce inflammation, allowing your body to rest, heal, and feel better overall. Numerous documented health benefits of ashwagandha make it suitable for almost anyone seeking to enhance their overall health and well-being.

How long does Ashwagandha take to Work?

There is no one simple answer to this question. Everybody is different, and so are their needs, wants, preferences, lifestyles, health, and goals. This means supplements also affect everyone differently. Some people start to feel changes within just a few days or weeks, typically around one to two weeks. Others may not notice any difference for up to 4 weeks, while others may experience gradual improvements over a longer period.

It is essential to remember that ashwagandha is a natural product, and like any other natural supplement, it takes time to produce results. You must take it regularly to allow it to accumulate in your body. It is not a quick-fix supplement. Instead, it works gently and naturally, helping the body find balance over time.

In the first few days of use, you may notice slight changes or feel a slight difference. For example, you might feel a little calmer, less stressed, less overwhelmed, and more able to cope. Over a few weeks, this sense of calm can become more noticeable. If you used to struggle with restlessness or poor sleep, you may find that you now fall asleep more easily and wake up feeling more rested.

Your energy levels will also start to improve slowly, so instead of feeling sluggish in the afternoons, like you used to, you will start feeling more energetic, awake, and focused throughout the entire day. This is especially likely to happen if you are feeling tired and unable to focus due to stress, a low mood, or poor sleep.

With consistency, you continue experiencing more benefits. Your mental clarity improves, you feel more motivated and excited, and you may even experience an increase in physical performance.

The most important thing when it comes to ashwagandha is consistency. Please don't put a timeline in place for when you want it to work, because there's really no telling. Just stay patient and take it daily as recommended. Generally, the timeline can vary, but most people start noticing real results from the second week of regular use.

Factors that Influence How Fast It Works

As mentioned, no supplements work the same for everyone. While some people feel the effects quickly, others take a while longer. Here are some factors that can influence how long ashwagandha takes to work for you;

Your Body’s Needs

The first thing to keep in mind is that people take ashwagandha for different reasons and needs. If your body is under a lot of stress, or you are feeling very tired, anxious, or run down, you may notice the benefits of ashwagandha quite quickly. This is because your body really needs support, so it responds more quickly.

Why not also read: When to take Ashwagandha?

However, if you are already feeling perfectly fine and relaxed, and taking it for general health, it may take some time for you to notice any difference. Even so, always keep in mind that while there may not be huge changes right away, it doesn't mean that ashwagandha is not working for you. It simply means that your body wasn't desperately in need of it. You just need to be a little more patient.

The Quality and Brand

Not all ashwagandha capsules, tablets, or powders are made the same. Different brands make their own differently. For example, the concentration of ashwagandha might vary. Or, some companies may add other herbs and ingredients. Some supplements are strong, pure, and clean, while others may be weaker and mixed with fillers.

To obtain high-quality ashwagandha, ensure you purchase it from a reputable, well-known brand. Check that it has been tested and has the right amount of active ingredients. Good-quality products often work faster, more efficiently, and more effectively. They give more noticeable results and eliminate or minimise potential side effects, so always try to choose a trusted brand.

How You Take It

You can take ashwagandha in various forms, including capsules, tablets, and powders. If you want something a little bit more fun, there are gummy options. And if you love teas, ashwagandha tea blends might just be your ideal choice.

Most people find tablets, capsules, and powders stronger and more effective. However, it all comes down to the concentration and other ingredients used. Whatever you choose, try taking it with food to improve digestion and absorption. Also, try to take it at the same time every day, like in the morning or before bed, whichever suits your routine best, to make it easier to remember and stick to.

Your Consistency

Ashwagandha works well when taken every day. It’s not something you take once or only when you feel stressed. Just like eating healthy or going to the gym, discipline and consistency in taking it are what will yield results. If you skip days or take it on and off, it can slow down the effects. But if you stick with it daily, your body will slowly adjust, and you will be more likely to start noticing more and more benefits.

Your Lifestyle

It doesn't matter how good the supplements you’re taking are. They won't work as well if you are not leading a healthy lifestyle. Too much alcohol and caffeine, poor sleep, poor diet, and lack of exercise are some bad habits that will slow down the effects of ashwagandha.

To maximise your results, make sure you eat a balanced, nutritious diet, sleep enough, drink plenty of water, and do things that help you relax, like meditation, reading, yoga, slow music, or even just taking deep, slow breaths. Also, exercise daily.

If your life is full of stress and junk food, ashwagandha might not work as quickly. But if you are taking care of your body, it will work better and faster.

Possible Side Effects to Watch For

Many people have been able to use ashwagandha and have experienced nothing but the great benefits. However, just because it is natural and safe for the most part, it doesn't mean that it is completely free from side effects. Some people have experienced symptoms such as;

Upset Stomach or Nausea

This can be caused by taking more ashwagandha than the recommended amount, when you are just getting started and your body is still adjusting, or when you take it on an empty stomach. You can feel mild nausea, gas, or bloating. To avoid it, if you are using it for the first time, go slow. Take a smaller amount and see how you feel. You can always adjust later. If you are taking too much, you may want to reduce your dose. Additionally, consider taking ashwagandha with food or after a meal for better digestion.

Drowsiness or Sleepiness

One of the major benefits of ashwagandha is to help reduce stress. However, these effects might be too strong. Some people have reported feeling too relaxed, making them feel a bit sleepy or drowsy. While this might not necessarily be a bad thing, especially during the night when you need to wind down and rest, it might interfere with your daytime activities if it happens during the day.

Headache or Dizziness

Some individuals may experience a headache or slight dizziness, especially in the first few days of taking it. This is rare, but it can happen if your body is very sensitive or if the dose is too high. Start with a low dose to help prevent this.

Allergic Reactions (Rare)

Though very rare, some people may have an allergic reaction to ashwagandha. Signs may include a rash, itching, or swelling. If you notice anything unusual after taking it, stop immediately and see a doctor.