NAD+
supplementA coenzyme every cell uses for energy; offered as IV drips and injections at longevity clinics.
6 providers
No. 063supplement
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a supplement that is sold over the counter.
Also known as Withania somnifera, Indian ginseng, KSM-66
Ashwagandha is a shrub whose root and leaf extracts are among the best-selling herbal supplements in the US. People take it mainly for stress, anxiety and sleep. Trials are mostly small and short, and NIH notes reports of liver injury and thyroid effects.
Is Ashwagandha FDA-approved?
Sold without a prescription. Supplements are not reviewed by the FDA before sale, so third-party testing matters. Sold as a dietary supplement in the US; it is not an FDA-approved treatment for any condition. Denmark banned it in 2023 after a government risk assessment.
As of October 7, 2026.
Key takeaways
- Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb sold as a dietary supplement, mostly for stress, anxiety and sleep.
- NIH says small, short trials suggest it may lower perceived stress and modestly improve sleep, especially in people with insomnia.
- Liver injury has been reported, and it can affect thyroid hormone levels.
- Avoid it in pregnancy; Denmark banned it in 2023.
How does Ashwagandha work?
Ashwagandha root and leaf contain compounds called withanolides. Researchers think they may dampen the body's stress response, and several trials found lower cortisol levels, but the exact mechanism in people is not settled.
Products vary a lot in which plant part they use and how they are extracted, so results from one branded extract do not necessarily apply to another.
Is ashwagandha good for women or for men?
In a small pilot trial of 50 healthy women over 8 weeks, sexual function scores improved more with ashwagandha than placebo. That is one small study, not a proven effect. Dongre et al.: Ashwagandha and sexual function in women, pilot RCT (2015)
In a crossover trial in 57 overweight men aged 40 to 70, testosterone rose more than with placebo, but fatigue, vigor and sexual well-being did not differ. Lopresti et al.: Ashwagandha and hormones in aging overweight men, crossover RCT (2019)
NIH notes some experts advise against it in pregnancy and in men with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. NIH ODS: Ashwagandha fact sheet for health professionals
What does the evidence say about Ashwagandha?
Emerging evidenceSmall trials of 6 to 12 weeks, mostly in India, suggest it may reduce perceived stress and modestly improve sleep; long-term safety is unknown.
What to expect
What trials and prescribing information measured over time. Everyone responds differently.
- 6 to 8 weeks
Most stress and anxiety trials pooled by NIH ran 6 to 8 weeks.
- Up to 12 weeks
Sleep trials ran 6 to 12 weeks. NCCIH says it may be safe for up to 3 months; longer-term safety is unknown.
What do clinicians say about Ashwagandha?
Clinicians describe ashwagandha as one of the better-studied herbs for stress, but the trials are small and short, and the liver and thyroid signals mean it is not risk-free.
NIH's Office of Dietary Supplements says trials are mostly small and short, run for 6 to 12 weeks, and suggest it may reduce stress and anxiety and slightly improve sleep, with long-term safety unknown.
NIH ODS: Ashwagandha fact sheet for health professionalsA 2024 meta-analysis of 9 randomized trials found lower perceived stress, anxiety scores and cortisol with ashwagandha than placebo.
Arumugam et al.: Ashwagandha for stress and anxiety, meta-analysis of 9 RCTs (Explore 2024)NIH LiverTox rates ashwagandha a likely cause of liver injury, usually appearing 2 to 12 weeks after starting, with rare deaths or transplants mostly in people with existing liver disease.
NIH LiverTox: AshwagandhaNCCIH says it may be safe for up to 3 months, should be avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and is not recommended for people with autoimmune or thyroid disorders or before surgery.
NCCIH: Ashwagandha
Summaries of published guidelines, drug labels, regulators and reviews, each attributed to its source. DiscoverMedica does not employ clinicians.
Is Ashwagandha right for you, and who should avoid it?
Often considered for
- Healthy adults exploring a supplement for everyday stress or mild sleep trouble, after talking with a clinician
- People who understand the evidence is limited and are willing to stop if side effects appear
Not a fit, or needs extra care
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Liver disease, or a past reaction to herbal supplements
- Thyroid or autoimmune disorders, or anyone taking thyroid medicine
- People taking sedatives, immunosuppressants, diabetes or blood pressure drugs without medical advice; stop before surgery
Only a licensed clinician who knows your history can decide whether it is right for you.
What are the risks and side effects of Ashwagandha?
- Liver injury has been reported, usually 2 to 12 weeks after starting; stop and seek care for jaundice, dark urine or itching.
- It can raise thyroid hormone levels and may interact with thyroid medicine, diabetes and blood pressure drugs, sedatives and immunosuppressants.
- Avoid it in pregnancy and breastfeeding; NCCIH also advises against it with autoimmune or thyroid disorders.
- Common side effects are drowsiness, loose stools and nausea.
What should you ask a clinician about Ashwagandha?
- Could it interact with my thyroid, blood pressure, diabetes or sleep medicines?
- Is my stress or poor sleep something that needs another evaluation first?
These save with the compound when you add it to My Journal, so they’re on the printout for your visit.
How do people buy Ashwagandha?
No prescription is needed. Supplement brands and retailers sell it online and in stores.
Check with a clinician or pharmacist first if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.
Choose a product with independent testing, such as NSF Certified for Sport or USP Verified, because FDA does not check supplements before they are sold.
Where some people buy it
- ThorneSells an ashwagandha capsule direct to consumers.
- Life ExtensionSells Optimized Ashwagandha capsules direct.
- MomentousSells an ashwagandha extract (NooGandha) direct, with a subscription discount.
- iHerbCarries ashwagandha from many brands.
From each provider’s own site, checked October 7, 2026. Programs change, so confirm the details before you sign up.
Where can I get Ashwagandha?
15 providers list Ashwagandha on DiscoverMedica, lowest listed price first.
$7.50listed price†
Buy at Life Extension $22.39listed price†
Buy at Garden of Life $22.89listed price†
Buy at Nature Made $29listed price†
Buy at Pure Encapsulations † Prices as listed by the provider when we checked; they change.
Ashwagandha: questions, answered
What are the side effects of ashwagandha?
NIH lists loose stools, nausea and drowsiness as the most common. More serious, though rare, are liver injury, usually 2 to 12 weeks after starting, and raised thyroid hormone levels, including a few cases of an overactive thyroid. Stop and seek care for yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, itching or a racing heart.
What are the benefits of ashwagandha?
The best evidence is for stress. A 2024 meta-analysis of 9 small trials found lower perceived stress, anxiety scores and cortisol than placebo, and NIH says sleep may improve slightly, more so in people with insomnia. Most trials were short and done in India, so the benefit is modest and long-term effects are unknown.
Is ashwagandha FDA-approved?
No. In the US it is sold as a dietary supplement, which FDA does not review for safety or effectiveness before sale, and it is not approved to treat any condition. Denmark banned ashwagandha products in 2023 after a government risk assessment. Choosing a product with independent testing helps with quality, not with proof that it works.
Is ashwagandha good for women?
Women take it mainly for stress and sleep, where the evidence applies to both sexes. One small 8-week trial in 50 women found better sexual function scores than placebo, but that needs confirming. NCCIH advises avoiding it in pregnancy and breastfeeding and with thyroid or autoimmune conditions, which are more common in women.
Does ashwagandha raise testosterone?
One crossover trial in 57 overweight men aged 40 to 70 found testosterone rose more than with placebo, but fatigue, vigor and sexual well-being did not differ. That is too little evidence to treat low testosterone, which needs proper testing. NIH notes some experts advise against it in men with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.
Important safety information
Key risks
- Liver injury has been reported, usually 2 to 12 weeks after starting; stop and seek care for jaundice, dark urine or itching.
- It can raise thyroid hormone levels and may interact with thyroid medicine, diabetes and blood pressure drugs, sedatives and immunosuppressants.
- Avoid it in pregnancy and breastfeeding; NCCIH also advises against it with autoimmune or thyroid disorders.
- Common side effects are drowsiness, loose stools and nausea.
Talk to a clinician first, or avoid it, if
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Liver disease, or a past reaction to herbal supplements
- Thyroid or autoimmune disorders, or anyone taking thyroid medicine
- People taking sedatives, immunosuppressants, diabetes or blood pressure drugs without medical advice; stop before surgery
This is not a complete list of risks. Talk to a licensed clinician or pharmacist about your own situation. If you have a severe reaction, call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA through MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Sources
- NIH ODS: Ashwagandha fact sheet for health professionals
- NCCIH: Ashwagandha
- NIH LiverTox: Ashwagandha
- Arumugam et al.: Ashwagandha for stress and anxiety, meta-analysis of 9 RCTs (Explore 2024)
Also checked for this guide
- Fatima et al.: Ashwagandha for anxiety and sleep, meta-analysis (Hum Psychopharmacol 2024)
- Lopresti et al.: Ashwagandha and hormones in aging overweight men, crossover RCT (2019)
- Dongre et al.: Ashwagandha and sexual function in women, pilot RCT (2015)
Guide reviewed October 7, 2026.
Educational information only, not medical advice. It does not replace a conversation with a licensed clinician.
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