Ashwagandha has been used for many years as a possible aid to reduce stress and enhance mental clarity.
Ashwagandha may prove to be a great support in overcoming nicotine withdrawal symptoms for people trying to quit smoking.
Ashwagandha may help you quit if you’ve failed and are looking for natural cures.
In this guide, you’ll find out how ashwagandha can support you on your path to quitting smoking, ease withdrawal symptoms, and keep you feeling well.
Why Is It So Hard To Quit Smoking?
It’s not just breaking a habit; it’s overcoming a physical and psychological addiction to nicotine.
Because you're addicted to the effect it has on your brain's reward center, nicotine is a powerful stimulant — and it's highly addictive.
When you quit smoking, your body is going through withdrawal which includes all the things you already know: irritability, anxiety, cravings, and even physical discomfort.
And these symptoms make quitting seem impossible, causing many to relapse.
Key to your success is finding ways to reduce these symptoms naturally.
To manage nicotine withdrawal, there are a few strategies, but adding natural supplements, like ashwagandha, can help with additional stress, cravings, and mood swings.
The Role of Ashwagandha in Quitting Smoking
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, a special type of herb that eases stress in the body and that the body can adjust to new conditions. (1)
Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb that has been used for thousands of years to help support your overall health and energy levels and to increase your body’s ability to handle stress.
Due to these properties, ashwagandha is a promising option for people wanting to quit smoking because it can help with some common challenges of nicotine withdrawal.
Reducing Stress and Anxiety
Managers of stress and anxiety related to withdrawal are some of the most difficult aspects of quitting smoking.
Feelings of restlessness, tension, and irritability can occur when you are withdrawing from nicotine.
By balancing your cortisol levels in the body, ashwagandha may help reduce these symptoms.
High levels of cortisol, often referred to as the “stress hormone,” can make you feel anxious and irritable.
Research has demonstrated that ashwagandha will help lower cortisol levels, making you feel calmer as well as alleviating stress-related symptoms. (2)
Ashwagandha may help reduce stress and make it easier to hold out when it’s time to resist a craving to smoke.
We are all familiar with those phases when you grapple with uncontrolled weight gain, mood swings, and cravings, making weight loss even more challenging.
Clearly, the food is craving you, now.
The quitting process can make people crave, go through mood swings, and be frustrated or overwhelmed.
Ashwagandha may help with stabilizing emotionally and reduce cravings while undergoing nicotine withdrawals.
Ashwagandha's research indicates it generates neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are both associated with mood. (3)
Ashwagandha supports these 'feel good' chemicals that make you feel more steady and less susceptible to cravings, thereby reducing the impulse to reach for a cigarette.
Craving Less, Living More 🌱 – Ashwagandha for a Smoke-Free Life
Sleep and reducing fatigue improvements.
Another common challenge for people quitting smoking is sleep disruptions, especially insomnia, restlessness, or fatigue.
For optimal quitting, restful sleep is vital, and Ashwagandha is famous for its sleep-inducing powers.
Sleeping enough can make you less fatigued, making it more accessible to cope with cravings and stress.
Ashwagandha can pave the way for a healthier sleep cycle that will provide you with a healthier, more restful night’s sleep, making you feel as though you have more energy to get out of bed and are more ready to go without nicotine.
Ashwagandha for Smoking Cessation: How to Use it
There are various forms of ingredients of Ashwagandha and they all come with their own pros.
And now, a closer look at how to incorporate it into your routine as effectively as you can.
Ashwagandha Dosage and Forms
In powder, capsule, or tincture form, ashwagandha is convenient and easy to take.
Ashwagandha extract should be taken in a daily dosage of 300-600 mg for most people, but again check with product instructions or healthcare provider.
When choosing which product to buy, try to go for standardized extracts like KSM-66 or Sensoril, where it is proven how effective it is and powerful.
You can initiate by starting at a lower dose, then gradually increasing to see how your body responds to the herb so that you remain on the safe side of the side effects.
When to take Ashwagandha for maximum benefit
Ashwagandha can be effective, but timing may help.
Ashwagandha is one herb that a lot of people can benefit from taking in the morning for increased energy and stress management throughout the day.
A nighttime dose may help relieve stress and anxiety that is usually at its highest level in the evening and can foster relaxation and enforce better sleep quality.
Try various times to find out just what works well for you, understanding that consistency is important in getting the most from Ashwagandha.
Another point to consider is pairing Ashwagandha with other supportive supplements.
Other vitamins and minerals essential for smoking cessation when taken together with Ashwagandha can be even more effective.
One example is B complex vitamins that can be helpful for nervous system health during withdrawal.
And another useful supplement is magnesium because it facilitates relaxation and helps combat muscle tension that can arise through stress.
Vitamin C and antioxidants can help support the body's natural detox process, which reduces nicotine from exiting your system faster.
These supplements can be taken with ashwagandha to build a balanced anti-smoking therapy.
More Tips on Quitting Smoking Naturally
Ashwagandha can help a great deal, but it’s just as important to make healthy choices that help you stick with your decision to quit.
Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
Eating a balanced diet will help your body recover from the effects of nicotine and will strengthen your resolve to quit smoking.
To support lung health and detoxification, focus on nutrient-rich foods that are full of antioxidants, fruits and vegetables for instance.
Besides staying hydrated, flushing toxins from your body, and reducing cravings, it’s also important to stay hydrated. (4)
Even something as simple as walking can release endorphins, which helps to make you happy and reduces stress.
Physical activity can also make you more motivated to keep moving toward a smoke-free life.
Mindfulness & Stress Relief Practices
A useful way to ease the quitting process is to incorporate, in addition to the quitting process, mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga.
Mindfulness can teach you to become more aware of your cravings and respond to them more calmly so that when you desire to smoke, you don’t give in to this urge.
Ashwagandha practices pair well with the stress-calming effects of the herb, providing a more well-rounded approach to managing stress and enhancing mental clarity.
One yoga in particular has been proven to boost lung function and help the body heal after quitting smoking.
When combined with Ashwagandha, these lifestyle changes constitute an all-natural plan for the treatment of withdrawal symptoms.
Side Effects and Safety of Ashwagandha
People generally find that ashwagandha is safe, but some may experience mild side effects, such as stomach upset or drowsiness. (5)
Before taking ashwagandha, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
But those with certain medical conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, may need to avoid ashwagandha as well.
Reduce your risk of side effects by permanently following recommended dosages and never exceeding those taken.
Ashwagandha is a safe and effective tool to help you on your way to quitting smoking when used responsibly.
Success Stories: How to Quit Smoking Using Ashwagandha
While there’s not much research specifically on ashwagandha as a smoking cessation remedy—it’s still being researched—they have reported success using the herb to manage withdrawal symptoms.
People who have smoked with ashwagandha reported lower stress, fewer cravings, and a greater sense of ease.
These studies support the finding that ashwagandha may, indeed, help create a more positive experience while attempting to quit.
Ashwagandha has been a game changer for some — it’s kept them focused and committed to becoming smoke-free.
The benefits of Ashwagandha are numerous: reducing stress, supporting sleep, providing support for a balanced mood, and making them a great alternative way to deal with the stresses of nicotine withdrawal.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Quitting smoking is one of the most challenging but rewarding things you can do for your health.
Although the journey might be a struggle, natural supplements like Ashwagandha can be genuine support on the way.
Ashwagandha can help reduce stress, manage cravings, and help you get better sleep — all things that could make you feel more confident and prepared to beat nicotine withdrawal.
If you are genuinely determined to eradicate the scourge once and for all, then Ashwagandha may benefit you.
Ashwagandha can help support your journey when combined with healthy habits, mindfulness practices, and supportive supplements that can provide you with the boost you need.
Find the support you need to be smoke-free in Daily Nutra’s high-quality ashwagandha products.
FAQs
What is the best herb to help quit smoking?Ashwagandha is one of the top herbs known to support quitting smoking due to its stress-relieving and mood-stabilizing effects.
Other popular herbs include St. John’s wort, which may help improve mood, and lobelia, traditionally used to reduce nicotine cravings.
Combining these herbs with lifestyle changes can enhance the success of a smoke-free journey.
Can ashwagandha reduce nicotine cravings?
Yes, ashwagandha may help reduce nicotine cravings by supporting a calm and balanced mood.
It influences neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which play a role in cravings and stress.
By managing stress, ashwagandha can make cravings less intense and easier to manage during withdrawal.
How long does it take to see the effects of ashwagandha?
Most people notice ashwagandha's calming effects within 1–2 weeks of consistent use.
For maximum benefit, it’s best to take ashwagandha daily over several weeks, as its effects build up gradually.
For smoking cessation, patience and consistency are key to experiencing full support from Ashwagandha.
Is ashwagandha safe to use while quitting smoking?
Yes, ashwagandha is generally safe to use while quitting smoking, as it is non-addictive and has minimal side effects for most people.
However, consult a healthcare provider before starting ashwagandha, especially if you have medical conditions, are pregnant, or are taking other medications.
Are there any side effects when combining ashwagandha with other supplements?
Ashwagandha is typically safe to combine with other supplements, such as B vitamins, magnesium, and vitamin C, which are also beneficial for quitting smoking.
However, mild side effects, like stomach upset or drowsiness, can occur.
To avoid interactions, consult with a healthcare professional if you're using multiple supplements alongside Ashwagandha.
RELATED STUDIES
1. Title: Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Stressed Adults
This research confirmed that ashwagandha root extract effectively reduced stress and anxiety levels in participants, supporting its classification as an adaptogen.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6979308/
2. Title: Effects of Withania somnifera on Cortisol Levels in Stressed Human Subjects: A Systematic Review
This systematic review found that ashwagandha supplementation significantly reduced cortisol levels in stressed individuals, with reductions ranging from 11% to 32.83% across various studies.
DOI link: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15245015
3. Title: An investigation into the stress-relieving and mood-enhancing effects of ashwagandha
This study indicated that ashwagandha may enhance serotonin and dopamine levels, contributing to its stress-relieving properties and potential mood stabilization.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6750292/
4. Title: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effects of ashwagandha extract on sleep quality
The study demonstrated that ashwagandha extract significantly improved sleep quality in subjects with non-restorative sleep after six weeks of treatment.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32540634/
5. Title: A systematic review of the safety profile of ashwagandha supplementation
This review evaluated the safety of ashwagandha, concluding that it has a favorable safety profile with minimal adverse effects reported in clinical studies.
DOI link: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12041009
