Ashwagandha, a God-gifted boon for the management of depression: What Science Says?
For decades, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is frequently utilization in
the Indian system of medicine. Ashwagandha roots appears to be a promising
natural treatment for depression, with multiple studies supporting its efficacy.
It helps boost memory, enhances mood and concentration as well as
improves age-related cognitive decline or stress (1) (2).
Recommended Dose: 500-1000mg/day as Root Extract and 3-6gram as Root Powder
Science-Backed Role of Ashwagandha for Depression
Possibly the most well-known
advantage of ashwagandha is its capacity to diminish stress. It belongs to the
class of molecules known as adaptogens, which aid the body in adjusting to
stress and depression. Additionally, it lessens the activity of your body's
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which controls your reaction to
depression (3). A small-scale study of 58
participants found that those who consumed ashwagandha extract (250 or 600 mg) for
approx. 56 days experienced significantly less stress than those who took a
placebo (3). When compared to the placebo group, those who took the ashwagandha
supplements also experienced improvements in the quality of their sleep.
According to another study on 60 participants, anxiety levels significantly
decreased in those who took ashwagandha extract (240 mg) daily for 60 days than
in those who got a placebo (4).
Clinical Reports of Ashwagandha
The effects of ashwagandha
extract on depression have been the subject of inconsistent clinical trial
research; nonetheless, numerous clinical trials have been conducted to assess
the herb's effectiveness in connection to human intake, and the results have
been favourable. Intake of 1000 mg/day of ashwagandha extract for 12 weeks
ameliorates symptoms of depression and anxiety associated with schizophrenia,
according to a randomized, double-blind controlled research (5). Oral intake of ashwagandha
standardized extract on 66 patients for a period of 12 weeks improved anxiety
and depressionAnother study found that taking 300 mg twice a day of
ashwagandha root extract for 60 days significantly decreased
perceived scores of stress and depression, which dropped to 44% from 5.5%
in the placebo group. Serum cortisol levels were similarly lower in the
ashwagandha root extract group than in the placebo group (6) (4).
Conclusions
In Indian traditional systems of medicine, especially
Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha has been utilized for ages as a medicinal
plant. It is clear from the research that ashwagandha root has many health
benefits. Notably, research suggests that ashwagandha may hold promise as a
natural approach to managing depression by influencing serotonin and dopamine
levels, key neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation.
Precautions and Things to Keep in Mind About
Despite its potential, ashwagandha cannot take the place
of scientifically proven medical treatments for depression. A healthcare
provider should be consulted regarding its use, particularly for those with
complicated medical conditions or those taking other medications.
It's crucial to select
standardised extracts and reliable brands because product quality and strength
can differ.
References
(1). Comparative investigation of Ashwagandha FMB extract and standardized extract for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory potential. Ann Phytomedicine An Int J. 2022.
(2). Scientific Basis for the Use of Indian Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders: Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem. 2012.
(3). Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Cureus. 2019.
(4). Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Stress and the Stress- Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2021.
(5). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of Ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian J Psychol Med. 2012.
(6). Efficacy and Tolerability of Ashwagandha Root Extract in the Elderly for Improvement of General Well-being and Sleep: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study. Cureus. 2020.