Did Ashwagandha Reduce My Stress? Part 1 - It's Been 6 Weeks...
I had a memory lapse at the end of my work day in April and struggled to get myself home.
After blood tests, the GP said it was stress and brain fog. He recommended Ashwagandha.
Stress is difficult to measure. What feels unbearable to one might feel normal for another, so we cannot judge it.
Even for the same person, stress varies based on macro and micro factors like sleep, work, relationships etc.
Ashwagandha is a well-known herb in Ayurveda. The modern world calls it an adaptogen, helping the body manage stress. I started in June.
Six Weeks In: What I've Actually Felt
I have definitely noticed changes in how stress shows up for me day to day.
It has been subtle but recognisable:
More sensations of internal calm, less edge
More balanced energy and rhythms, less fatigue
More mental pauses, less reactive
What may have contributed…
I was recommended a specific, higher-quality, bioavailability-focused product.
Root vs. leaf extract. Traditional use focuses on the root. Westernisation of Ashwagandha (a whole other topic) has led to some brands that use leaf extract or a mix.
Withanolide concentration. Products vary in withanolide content (its primary active compound), so two bottles labelled "ashwagandha" can have very different actual potency.
Bioavailability. Even a good extract doesn't help much if your body can't absorb it well.
I'm taking Shoden, a root-only ashwagandha extract that's standardized for withanolide content and a brand which is backed by high bioavailability.
What next?
Having consulted an Ayurvedic practitioner and friend, I plan to start cycling my dosage. I am incredibly grateful for this ancient plant and the unexpected restoration it has given me.
Do you agree that stress has become such an accepted undercurrent of the daily grind?
What are you doing to manage your stress?
Next in this series: Part 2 looks at where ashwagandha actually comes from - its roots in Ayurvedic medicine and what that traditional context tells us about using it today.
PS. I'm not a doctor or a researcher, and nothing here should be read as medical advice or a definitive verdict on ashwagandha's effectiveness.