Ashwagandha and Emotional Health
Life can feel overwhelming at times, like you’re being pulled in all directions. Whether you have a full plate at work or a million things to do at home, stress might be getting to you. Learn about an herb called ashwagandha and the research on its potential emotional health benefits.
What Is Ashwagandha?
For nearly 3,000 years, ashwagandha has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to support various aspects of health.[1] More recently, studies on this herb have focused on its ability to help support stress responses.[1]
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, which is a natural substance that is recognized for its ability to support a healthy stress response.[2] A recent definition of an adaptogen is that they are “metabolic regulators which increase the ability of an organism to adapt to environmental factors and avoid damage from such factors.”[3] Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, suggesting it may help with the body’s response to stress.[6]
Research on Ashwagandha
Because ashwagandha is an adaptogen, the herb is of interest to researchers to understand its impact on emotional health in human studies.[1] Clinical studies have demonstrated the potential of ashwagandha on outcomes related to mood and stress.[1], [2]
Several studies have shown that participants taking ashwagandha at varying doses and forms reduced reported stress and anxiety levels and reduced serum cortisol levels compared to placebo.[2], [4], [6] One study in 60 mildly stressed adults showed that 240 mg of ashwagandha daily reduced subjective anxiety scores compared to the placebo group.[7] A 2023 study also revealed that ashwagandha may help increase serotonin, a major neurotransmitter that maintains mood and aggression.[8]
Menopause Support
Menopause is a period of transition for women; there are psychological and physical changes surrounding a woman’s final menstrual period.[5] Centrum’s Menopause Support Clear Mind & Calm Mood is formulated to help support a woman’s perimenopause and menopause journey and contains KSM-66®
Ashwagandha, which helps supports occasional feelings of anxiety and stress.* As with all supplements, check with your healthcare provider before taking anything new.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
