In the wellness world, ashwagandha is a buzzword, praised for its ability to lower stress, improve sleep, and enhance hormonal health.
But if you’re wondering how long Ashwagandha works, you’re not alone.
Knowing the timeline for Ashwagandha benefits will help you understand what to expect and keep up with your wellness journey.
In this article, we dive into the typical timelines for how ashwagandha affects anxiety, sleep, testosterone, weight management, and more.
Then, we talk about factors that affect how fast you’ll start to see results.
How Fast Does Ashwagandha Work? An Overview
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that supports your body's ability to adapt to stress by bringing you back into balance.
You don’t notice effects immediately, but over a few weeks, most people notice changes with regular use.
Most people find initial effects such as reducing stress, improving focus and cognitive performance, and mood to begin to become noticeable about 1 to 2 weeks after beginning. (1)
It could take 6–12 weeks to see the long-term benefits, such as hormonal support and weight management.
How well Ashwagandha works for you will depend on things such as what health goals you have, how you’re taking it, and how your body responds.
Ashwagandha for Anxiety: When Will You Feel Calmer?
Reduces anxiety, which is one of Ashwagandha’s most well-known benefits.
Regular use also has a powerful effect on controlling cortisol, the hormone associated with stress. (2)
Users agreed that most of them experienced a calmer and less anxious feeling within 1-2 weeks of consistent supplementation.
If the dosage is the whole thing, then you will start to see results at a quicker pace.
A high-quality extract like KSM-66 is recommended for 300-600 mg for anxiety relief.
The results you’ll probably see will be even faster if you’re pairing ashwagandha with mindfulness practices or other stress reduction techniques.
Sleep Benefits of Ashwagandha: How Quickly Does It Help?
Ashwagandha also helps reduce stress and the nervous system to improve the quality of sleep.
Within the first week, especially if you take it on a regular basis at night, many people report getting better sleep.
It works to reduce cortisol, which also pushes your sleep-wake cycle out of whack if there is too much. (3)
The most noticeable sleep benefits of this are shown in those who struggle with insomnia and restless nights made worse by stress.
The best time to take Ashwagandha is about an hour before going to sleep to make the most of the benefits.
Create a relaxing nighttime routine that’s free of screen time; add this to your good sleep hygiene practices.
How quickly does Ashwagandha work for testosterone?
Ashwagandha is high in number for boosting testosterone levels among men.
However, according to research, when used consistently, you should notice increases in testosterone after 6–8 weeks. (4)
Ashwagandha helps increase the production of testosterone by reducing stress and normalizing your overall hormonal balance.
In fact, if you are doing strength training or even eating well, you may see quicker and more dramatic results.
Hormonal changes normally occur slowly, so consistency is key.
Weight Loss and Ashwagandha: What to Expect
Indirectly or not, ashwagandha may support weight loss by decreasing cortisol, which may induce stress-related weight gain. (5)
It’s not a magic pill, and while not everyone will lose weight by week 8 or 12, plenty of people have reported changes in weight after 8–12 weeks of consistent use.
Ashwagandha can help you reduce stress and increase your energy for a healthier lifestyle.
It’s more powerful when it’s paired with a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Remember that the results will be different based on your starting point and overall health habits.
Why Does Ashwagandha Work Differently in Everyone?
As always, not everyone will experience the effects of ashwagandha on the same timeline.
Age, metabolism, and pre-existing health conditions have a bearing on how quickly you’ll achieve results.
There are several issues concerning the quality and type of Ashwagandha supplement that you do not need to get right.
What is the better option for faster and more consistent results? A standardized extract such as KSM-66 or Sensoril.
For those unsure of the right dosage or formulation, a healthcare provider can suggest how to get the best treatment.
Ashwagandha Works when...
You might not even realize if Ashwagandha is working until the results start to appear.
In addition to words, signs that mean Ashwagandha is working include a substantial reduction in stress and anxiety.
This may also lead you to sleep better and feel fresh when you wake up.
Other signs include increased focus, better energy levels, and a more balanced mood.
Improvements in testosterone levels in men may include an increase in strength as well as an increase in libido.
If journaling would help you track your progress, you should try that. It will allow you to see little changes over time.
Final Thoughts
Ashwagandha is one powerful adaptogenic, but it’s a slow burn and takes consistency and patience to reap its full benefits.
It might be that you notice improvements within the first couple of weeks for things like anxiety and sleep.
Most of the time, however, hormonal changes such as increased testosterone and weight management advantages can take up to 6–12 weeks.
And remember that every single person’s experience with Ashwagandha will be different depending on how healthy you are, how much you’re taking, and what you do with your life.
For best results, use a high-quality ashwagandha supplement such as Daily Nutra’s ashwagandha and take it consistently.
Ashwagandha may not get you the results overnight, but its long-term benefits make it a good addition to your wellness toolbox.
✨ Unwind and Thrive – Discover Ashwagandha Benefits!
FAQs
Q: How soon can you take effect from Ashwagandha?
A: After about 1-2 weeks, you may notice stress reduction,n but full effects start to emerge over time.
Q: Does Ashwagandha work?
A: If you look for signs, you may discover reduced anxiety, better sleep, increased energy, and a more balanced mood.
Q: Right after you take Ashwagandha, what happens?
A: A few hours pass and some people feel somewhat calm, but regular use over days or weeks is needed to get lasting effects.
Q: Can I use Ashwagandha in the morning or at night?
A: If you want more energy and focus, kick off your day in the morning; if you want to fall asleep more easily, end your evening.
Q: Why can you only give yourself ashwagandha for 3 months?
A: It can wear off; simply cycle off several times a month and speak to a healthcare provider for advice based on your needs.
Related Studies
1. Title: Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study
This study found that significant reductions in perceived stress and anxiety were observed as early as two weeks into an eight-week supplementation period with ashwagandha.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6979308/
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.09.001
2. Title: Ashwagandha: A Review of Clinical Use and Efficacy
This review highlights that ashwagandha supplementation can lead to a significant reduction in cortisol levels and anxiety symptoms, particularly in individuals experiencing chronic stress.
Link: https://www.nmi.health/ashwagandha-a-review-of-clinical-use-and-efficacy/
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.10.001
3. Title: Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults
The study indicates that ashwagandha supplementation not only reduces cortisol levels but also improves sleep quality among participants over an eight-week period.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6979308/
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.09.001
4. Title: Adaptogenic Ashwagandha Root Extract Modulates Inflammatory Response and Cortisol Levels
This clinical research demonstrated that ashwagandha significantly increased testosterone levels in men after a treatment period of 6–8 weeks.
Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09712119.2024.2335921
DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2024.2335921
5. Title: Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults
The findings suggest that ashwagandha may aid in stress-related weight management by reducing cortisol levels, which can contribute to weight gain.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6979308/
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.09.001
