Skip to main content
Health & Nutrition
Zaheera Swing
Nutritional Therapist & Herbalist BSc Hons Nutritional Science + NTPD

How Ashwagandha Improves Mood & Combats Stress

Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera, is a renowned herb in Ayurvedic medicine, celebrated for its ability to manage stress and enhance mood. This powerful adaptogen works by balancing cortisol levels and neurotransmitters, the body's natural mechanisms for maintaining emotional equilibrium. Consumed in capsule or gummy form, Ashwagandha can be a key ally for combating stress, anxiety, and promoting overall well-being.

 

Have you ever noticed your mood’s tendency to shift in stressful situations?

It can be tough to remain calm when you come home after a busy day and something doesn’t go your way. Even if it’s just a tiny problem, it might trigger a massive stress response.

 

We’ve all been there! So, is there anything you can do to improve this?

 

Yes, you can! This is where the incredible effects of Ashwagandha come in...

 

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), also sometimes known as Indian Ginseng or Winter Cherry has long been used as one of the most famous ayurvedic herbs shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve cognition and help the body cope with daily stressors in a healthy and resilient way for a more balanced mood, improved sleep quality, and enhanced energy throughout the day.

 

NutriRise has created high-quality Ashwagandha supplements containing pure root extract for the best results. Ashwagandha capsules or gummies can help restore calm and support mood, stress, anxiety, and overall well-being.

 

 

How does Ashwagandha support mood & stress relief?

 

It helps balance cortisol levels

 

Cortisol is an essential stress hormone released in response to physical and mental stressors. Your cortisol levels usually follow a definite rhythm throughout the day, peaking around mid-morning to ensure you’ve got the energy to power through the day and then slowly dropping to a low level before bed so you can get a restful sleep [1]

 

However, chronic stress causes continuously elevated cortisol levels, which wreak havoc on your physical and mental health, and this natural rhythm can get disrupted [2], resulting in symptoms like:

  • Fatigue
  • Anxiety
  • Low mood
  • Sleep disturbances

 

Luckily, the magic of this medicinal herb lies in the adaptogenic properties and anxiolytic effects of Ashwagandha, which help to naturally support a healthy output of cortisol, as well as reducing symptoms of perceived stress.

Clinical studies have shown that Ashwagandha supplementation may result in a significant reduction (reaching statistical significance) in scores on the hamilton anxiety scale, as well as additional stress scales, making it one of the most effective herbal medicines for alleviating stress and anxiety! [3]

 

 

It supports neurotransmitters

 

Neurotransmitters are essentially like chemical messengers within the body. They help regulate mood, focus, and feelings of well-being and calm [4]

 

When you’re experiencing anxiety or feeling under the weather, these neurotransmitters can be out of balance.

Evidence suggests that the powerful withanolides in Ashwagandha help balance the output of certain neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA, which could help explain Ashwagandha’s mood-supporting benefits and powerful effects on stress reduction [5].

 

 

What does the research say about Ashwagandha?

 

Not only do traditional medicine paradigms like Ayurvedic medicine vouch for this ancient adaptogenic herb, but modern science supports the effects of Withania Somnifera thanks to a variety of scientific research!

 

Let’s take a look:

A randomized, doubleblind placebo controlled trial examined the effects of Ashwagandha in healthy adults experiencing anxiety. The participants were split into two groups - one group was treated with Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera extract) and the other group with psychotherapy. 

 

Surprisingly, the patients treated with Ashwagandha root extract experienced less anxiety, and they also reported significant improvement in:

  • Mental health 
  • Cognitive function
  • Energy levels
  • Social functioning
  • Sleep quality
  • Vitality

 

The patients taking Ashwagandha root extract (Withania Somnifera supplementation) reported more significant clinical benefits than those treated with standard psychotherapy [6].

Many other clinical studies have demonstrated similar findings.

 

 

How to get the most out of Ashwagandha

 

Choosing the right Ashwagandha supplement is essential to enjoy all of the fantastic benefits it has to offer. That’s why we’ve developed the ultimate Ashwagandha formulas!

 

Our high potency Ashwagandha capsules contain only pure, certified organic Ashwagandha, packed with bioactive withanolides plus added Bioperine for maximized absorption so you're always certain you're getting all the health benefits of Ashwagandha with each dose.

 

If you’re a gummy lover focused on reducing stress, you’ll want to try our delicious cherry-flavored Ashwagandha gummies, with added Zinc and Vitamin D for overall wellness!

 

For more information on the difference between Ashwagandha gummies and pills, head on over here.

 

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and not intended for use as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before taking Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera extract) or any dietary supplement to avoid adverse events and to ensure safety and efficacy.

 

Zaheera Swing
Nutritional Therapist & Herbalist BSc Hons Nutritional Science + NTPD
As a qualified Nutritional Therapist (BSc Hons Nutritional Science + NTPD), Zaheera Swing has a deep passion for restoring balance and harmony to the body through the modalities of nutritional science, herbalism, and holistic lifestyle practices. Using the functional medicine model coupled with wisdom from ancient paradigms, she aims to provide insight into the underlying root causes of poor health and the holistic tools we can harness to enhance the well-being of mind, body, and spirit.
Learn More

Featured Article

Learn

Dive deep into the NutriRise products, ancient wisdom, and abundant living with co-founders Basim & Ramsha Mirza

More on this

Your source for abundant living
Get the latest NutriRise recipes, videos & offers delivered to your inbox

Your Cart

Your cart is currently empty.
Click here to continue shopping.
Thanks for contacting us! We'll get back to you shortly. Thanks for subscribing Thanks! We will notify you when it becomes available! The max number of items have already been added There is only one item left to add to the cart There are only [num_items] items left to add to the cart