How Long Does Ashwagandha Take to Work?

Recent years have seen a surge in the use of ashwagandha for stress, anxiety, sleep, and more—but it’s actually been used in traditional healing modalities for thousands of years. 

Before the days of peer-reviewed research and randomized controlled trials, practitioners of Ayurveda—a holistic healing practice that originated in India—intuitively knew the benefits of this ancient medicinal herb.

But while we now know that ashwagandha can be beneficial, many people wonder how long it takes to work. Will it be hours? Days? Weeks? 

If you’re in a TL;DR mood, the answer is that it can take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks to see a noticeable change in physical and mental health outcomes after taking ashwagandha.

However, many people anecdotally report feeling less stressed and anxious with better sleep quality immediately or within days—so it’s possible you could be one of the lucky ones.

In this article, we’ll delve deeper into how quickly ashwagandha works for various scenarios like anxiety and sleep, as well as detail the top health benefits of this adaptogenic plant.

How Long Does Ashwagandha Take to Work?

Some research has shown that ashwagandha has acute effects—meaning it works almost immediately.

For example, a study of 13 people found that taking 400mg of ashwagandha root extract significantly improved markers of memory, attention span, and executive functioning within six hours. However, this very small study is not enough to say that it works within hours for everybody. 

The other physical and mental effects of ashwagandha—especially muscle strength, sexual function, and reduced diabetes risk—will take longer.

Most studies find that you need to take an ashwagandha supplement consistently for four to 12 weeks to see results.

That said, many people report feeling calmer, less stressed, less anxious, and sleep better relatively quickly after taking ashwagandha—either that same day or within a few days. 

Therefore, ashwagandha supplementation can be highly personal and individualized, and taking it consistently and noticing any changes to your physical and mental health can help you determine if it’s working for you.

How Long Does Ashwagandha Take To Work for Stress and Anxiety?

Most studies looking at ashwagandha for stress and anxiety use periods of 60 to 90 days to research its effects.

However, one small study from 2022 was only 30 days—and it reported beneficial results.

In this research, 60 healthy adults with perceived stress took 225mg or 400mg of ashwagandha or a placebo for a month. They found that both doses of ashwagandha led to significant reductions in cortisol levels—our primary stress hormone that is elevated in cases of chronic stress—compared to the placebo group. Other studies have found that taking 240mg of ashwagandha for 60 days is sufficient to lower anxiety symptoms significantly.

How long it takes ashwagandha to work for you may depend on your overall stress and anxiety symptoms, the dosage, and potentially other factors like genetics and lifestyle.

How Long Does Ashwagandha Take To Work for Sleep?

Studies on ashwagandha and sleep have shown that it takes a minimum of six weeks to see substantial improvements. 

In this meta-analysis of five clinical trials and 1764 people, all five reported a significant improvement in overall sleep beginning at eight weeks or less. 

However, as these studies don’t measure the outcomes every day (or even every week), it’s definitely possible that benefits are noticed sooner than eight weeks.

Like with stress, some people may see benefits more quickly, and others may take longer.

Health Benefits of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (also known as Withania somnifera or Indian ginseng) is an adaptogenic plant in the nightshade family that is native to India and commonly used in Ayurvedic practices. 

Whether your body is under or over-stressed, adaptogens like ashwagandha help your central nervous system to adapt to your specific needs at that time. 

Ashwagandha is also rich in antioxidants and bioactive compounds that reduce oxidative stress, potentially contributing to several of its health benefits. 

• Reduces chronic stress and anxiety. Ashwagandha reduces anxiety and stress levels because it functions as an adaptogen—a plant that helps the body with its stress response and maintains overall balance. Research shows that taking a standardized ashwagandha extract reduces symptoms of anxiety and lowers cortisol levels, our primary stress hormone. Cortisol regulation can lead to an overall improved stress response and reductions in chronic stress.
• Improved sleep quality. Ashwagandha has been shown to improve sleep quality and mental clarity or alertness in the morning, especially in people with insomnia, and in doses of 600mg per day or more.
• Improved cognitive functioning. One study found that 400mg of ashwagandha root extract improved executive function, attention span, and short-term or working memory in healthy adults. Bioactive compounds called withanolides and withanosides provide antioxidant effects, potentially leading to the neuroprotective properties of ashwagandha.
• Improved male fertility. A systematic review analyzing 42 studies found a significant link between ashwagandha root extract and improved sperm count, size, and motility. This may be because ashwagandha increases testosterone levels and reduces oxidative stress—a common contributor to infertility.
• Improved blood sugar control. Flavonoids found in the ashwagandha root and leaf are thought to have hypoglycemic (blood sugar-lowering) properties. In a meta-analysis that pooled data from 24 double-blind placebo-controlled studies, ashwagandha supplements led to significant reductions in blood sugar, insulin, and hemoglobin A1C levels—a biomarker for diagnosing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
• Increased testosterone. A placebo-controlled study published in the American Journal of Men’s Health assessed ashwagandha’s effects on hormones and sexual health in overweight, middle-aged men. After eight weeks, men taking ashwagandha extract had significantly increased testosterone and DHEA (a precursor to testosterone).
• Increased muscle mass. Testosterone levels are also involved with strength, which may be why ashwagandha is associated with increased muscle size. A small study with young, healthy adults found that combining 600mg of ashwagandha root extract with a resistance training program for eight weeks led to more significant increases in arm and chest muscle size and increased muscle strength on the bench press and leg extensions compared to people taking a placebo.

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