Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice. All statements are merely the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regard to ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha is becoming one of the most popular herbal supplements in the US. Consumers use it for stress relief, hormone support, and adaptogenic effects.
But how long does ashwagandha take to work? Does it cause effects after the first dose, or does it need to be used for weeks or months to notice an effect? What do research studies say? And what do real users say?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more as we analyze medical studies on ashwagandha supplementation to determine how long ashwagandha takes to work.
We’ll also feature real ashwagandha user reviews along with our picks for clean ashwagandha brands.
What do Medical Studies Say?
Ashwagandha supplementation has been tested in a large number of medical studies.
A 2012 clinical trial found ashwagandha to be effective for reducing stress and anxiety in adults after 60 days of continuous use.
A 2013 clinical trial found that ashwagandha increased testosterone levels in men after 90 days of continuous use.
A clinical trial published in the Cureus journal reported that ashwagandha improved sexual function in women after eight weeks of continual use.
Based on the available research, it appears that ashwagandha may take around 2-3 months to impart its full effect. Some beneficial effects may be experienced in less than this timeframe, but researchers typically allow this duration to test the maximal effects of the herb.
It’s also notable that in the vast majority of clinical trials we surveyed on ashwagandha while researching this article, participants were consuming the herb daily.
So research seems to suggest that it takes 2-3 months to have a significant effect, but how do real users describe how long it took them to feel the effects of ashwagandha? We’ll feature some unsponsored user reviews in the next section.
Real People Try Ashwagandha
A YouTube creator named “pigmie” tried ashwagandha for 30 days and shared his experience:
A YouTube creator named Dalati tried ashwagandha for a full year, and reports on whether he continued to experience benefits or if there were downsides beyond a certain point:
How Long Can You Take Ashwagandha?
Readers who have reached this point in the article may be wondering: ashwagandha may increase in effectiveness over months of continual use, but is it proven to be safe to take for long periods of time?
Ashwagandha was shown to be safe and well-tolerated when taken for 90 days continuously in a 2021 clinical trial.
A meta-study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology analyzed data from 69 trials on ashwagandha and concluded the following:
“(Aswagandha) appears a promising safe and effective traditional medicine.”
We have not come across any clinical trials testing the safety of continuous ashwagandha use for a year or longer. Unfortunately, it’s extremely expensive to fund such long-duration trials.
It may be worthwhile to speak to a doctor if you’re considering long-term use of ashwagandha.
We Tried Ashwagandha Ourselves
As the author of this article, I wanted to try ashwagandha myself to share my thoughts on how long it takes to work.
I used ashwagandha regularly for a month.
The first few weeks, I didn't notice any changes, but in weeks three and four I noticed increased sex drive and an improved sense of calmness.
The effects were subtle, but definitely noticeable. I was actually surprised that I noticed them so quickly.
I don't plan to use ashwagandha for extended periods of time without breaks, but I could see myself taking ashwagandha as needed for a few months at a time during a stressful period in my life.
Our Clean Ashwagandha Picks
Organic India Ashwagandha Capsules is the best-priced ashwagandha supplement that passed ConsumerLab testing, costing only $20.99 for 90 capsules at the time of updating this article. This product is a raw powder and will be less potent than an ashwagandha extract.
Organic India's supplement was accurately labeled according to the test results (meaning it contained the phytonutrients in ashwagandha at the same dose that the brand claims on its label), and did not exceed thresholds for heavy metal contamination.
