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
Key Finding
Ashwagandha extract (600mg daily) significantly reduced stress, anxiety, and cortisol levels in chronically stressed adults.
Plain-English Summary
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of ashwagandha root extract in reducing stress and anxiety in 64 adults with a history of chronic stress. Participants received either 300mg of ashwagandha extract twice daily or placebo for 60 days.
The ashwagandha group showed significant reductions in all stress assessment scales compared to placebo. Scores on the Perceived Stress Scale decreased by 44% in the treatment group versus 5.5% in placebo. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale scores also showed substantial improvements across all subscales.
Additionally, the ashwagandha group demonstrated significantly reduced serum cortisol levels, with an average reduction of 27.9% compared to baseline. The supplement was well-tolerated with no serious adverse events reported, confirming both the efficacy and safety of ashwagandha for stress management.