Ashwagandha is under the spotlight for causing purported withdrawal symptoms. But, is there any scientific basis to these claims? Unfortunately, the scientific community has yet to conduct exhaustive research on the effects of ceasing Ashwagandha usage. However, one study reported that after 6 weeks of Ashwagandha supplementation, abrupt stopping did not cause any withdrawal phenomenon (1). Despite this, anecdotal evidence from various online platforms suggests a different narrative.
What Are Ashwagandha Withdrawal Symptoms?
Some Ashwagandha users report that they have experienced withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing dosage. These personal testimonies, while not backed by rigorous scientific research, suggest that the user experience with Ashwagandha may vary widely, and some individuals may indeed experience discomfort when discontinuing its use.
As an adaptogen, Ashwagandha is known for its capacity to help the body manage physical and mental stress, thereby promoting a balanced state. Interestingly, when a person stops taking Ashwagandha, they sometimes experience a resurgence of the symptoms that originally prompted them to start taking Ashwagandha. These symptoms are often interpreted as Ashwagandha withdrawal symptoms. They include:
- Mood changes: After stopping Ashwagandha, some people experience an increase in anxiety or mood swings.
- Sleep disturbances: Through helping the body cope with stress, Ashwagandha may promote restful sleep (2). When Ashwagandha supplementation stops, sleep difficulties may return.
- Physical symptoms: Some reports include headaches, fatigue, or digestive upset after discontinuing Ashwagandha.
It is crucial to remember that these symptoms lack solid scientific evidence, and it’s possible that they may stem from the underlying issues for which the individual was taking Ashwagandha, rather than being actual withdrawal symptoms from the herb itself.
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How Long Do Ashwagandha Withdrawals Last?
Ashwagandha withdrawal symptoms can last for varying lengths of time – if they occur at all. Factors such as duration of usage and dosage size influence withdrawal length. The more your body has acclimatized to the effects of Ashwagandha, the longer the alleged withdrawal symptoms may last as your body adjusts to functioning without it. Reported durations range from a few days to over a month.
Coping With Alleged Ashwagandha Withdrawal Symptoms
When you stop taking Ashwagandha, your body has to retrain itself to function without the compounds from the herb to do some of the heavy lifting. To navigate through the so-called withdrawal symptoms, it is beneficial to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Here are four key tips:
- Maintain a Balanced Diet: Eating a well-balanced, healthy diet with both macro and micro nutrients is like giving your body the tools that it needs to thrive, whether you are overcoming perceived Ashwagandha withdrawal or simply trying to maintain optimal health.
- Stay Active: Regular physical activity and exercise improves cardiovascular health and promotes mental well-being (3). This can help the body to distribute nutrients and cope with withdrawal symptoms more effectively.
- Ensure You Get Quality Sleep: During sleep, the body repairs tissues, produces essential hormones, and boosts immune function. Adequate sleep regulates emotions, reduces the risk of mood disturbances, and increases productivity (4).
- Connect With Others: Maintaining social connections and a supportive network contributes to overall well-being (5). Social interactions provide emotional support, reduce loneliness, and improve mental well-being, which is especially important during times of withdrawal.
Avoiding Alleged Ashwagandha Withdrawal Symptoms
Long term Ashwagandha use is not well documented, though it has been found to be safe in durations of up to 3 months (6). While there are no set guidelines for Ashwagandha use, supplement cycling may be able to help you avoid Ashwagandha withdrawal symptoms. Supplement cycling refers to the practice of taking a supplement for a specific period of time, followed by a designated period of abstaining from its use. This approach is used to prevent the body from developing tolerance, reduce the risk of dependency, and potentially optimize the effectiveness of the supplement.
It’s important to note that not all supplements require cycling, and it is unclear whether Ashwagandha does. Some supplements are safe to use continuously, as recommended by healthcare professionals. Before implementing a cycling regimen or making any changes to your supplement routine, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional who can provide personalized guidance based on your specific needs and circumstances.
Bottom Line:
The presence of Ashwagandha withdrawal symptoms is a subject yet to be extensively studied. While one study has noted that abruptly ceasing Ashwagandha supplementation after 6 weeks did not cause withdrawal symptoms (1), anecdotal evidence suggests a possible return of the issues that initially prompted the individual to use Ashwagandha. Nevertheless, healthy lifestyle habits such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting quality sleep, and maintaining healthy social connections can help those who perceive that they are experiencing Ashwagandha withdrawal.
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