November brings along stressful assignment deadlines and sleepless nights spent up late studying. To deal with this, I’ve started using the supplement Ashwagandha to help me relax and sleep better. Here is all the information you need and the reasons why I think you should start taking Ashwagandha this November.
What is it?
Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub from Asia and Africa. The supplement has been used in Ayurvedic medicine, a field of traditional medicine native to India practiced for more than 600 years, to treat clinical depressive disorders as its effects are comparable to modern-day antidepressants.
Regular usage of this supplement lowers blood pressure and calms the brain. It can also improve support of the immune system. It acts as an adaptogen, meaning that when consumed, it targets specific stressors in your body. This can help improve mental and physical disorders.
Personally, I use it for my anxiety. This time of year, it gets worse with all the assignments coming up and I find it hard to sleep. Ashwagandha helps a lot with this.
The benefits
Aswell as helping with anxiety, it can be effective for those with diabetes because they help manage your blood sugar levels and lower possible insulin resistance. Ashwagandha may also help with the prevention of diabetes and other metabolic disorders due to its antioxidants that support brain and nervous system activity.
Studies have suggested neurodivergent people have seen a benefit from taking ashwagandha. This is because ashwagandha has been shown to improve reaction time in children with ADHD. This is due to the supplement increasing the dopamine levels and norepinephrine in the brain and central nervous system which results in the reduction of inattention and hyperactivity, as well as managing impulse control.
Sleep is also an area in which Ashwagandha improves as studies have found benefits of improvements in sleep efficiency, total sleep time, how long it takes for you to fall asleep and how easily you wake up in the morning.
The risks
There are several risk factors to consider when taking ashwagandha. Initial side effects of regularly taking this supplement may result in stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, and drowsiness. These symptoms may progress into vertigo, decreased appetite, and skin rashes.
Those who take medicine medications that treat depressive and nervous system disorders may have to adjust their dosage before taking ashwagandha. Pregnant women should be aware that at higher doses, ashwagandha causes miscarriages.
November really takes a toll on my mental health, and I know it’s the same for many other people. This isn’t a miracle vitamin that will solve all my issues, but it does improve my wellbeing and I’m feeling much better off this time this year than I was last year.
If you are considering taking the supplement, make sure to read into the risks and benefits to ensure it really is the best thing for you to take.
Featured image: pexels.com
Third year Undergraduate Student at University of Stirling studying Politics and Film & Media.
