Beyond the mental quietening, I also started to notice a profound difference in my physical state. My shoulders, which I’d carried around my neck as though they were a collar, began to relax. That constant underlying hum of physical tension that I’d almost accepted as normal started to dissipate. I realised more and more that I wasn’t clenching my jaw or holding my breath every other minute. There was a newfound ease in my movements, a feeling of my muscles being less tightly wound. It was as if ashwagandha was gently coaxing my body out of a perpetual state of fight-or-flight.
It’s important to note here that ashwagandha isn’t a magic eraser for stress. Life still happens. Deadlines still loom. Annoying emails still land in my inbox. But what has changed is my capacity to meet these challenges without feeling completely derailed. I’m more able to weather the storms without being permanently flooded.
Ashwagandha benefits
Curious to know whether my own experience was synonymous with the science, I asked Clarissa Lenherr, a Registered Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and a certified member of The British Association of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine, what her take was on it all.
“The primary benefit of ashwagandha is its potential to support the body’s stress response. Research suggests it may help improve resilience to stress and enhance quality of life. For example, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults found that high-concentration, full-spectrum ashwagandha root extract significantly improved stress resistance and well-being,” she explains. “Ashwagandha may also support better sleep. Although research is still limited, some small studies have found it could be helpful for people experiencing insomnia.”
She adds: “From my clinical experience, I’ve found that ashwagandha can be genuinely helpful for some people, particularly when it comes to managing stress. Many of my clients who struggle with chronic stress or feel wired but tired find they feel calmer after consistently using a high-quality ashwagandha supplement.
“The science generally supports these observations, with several randomised controlled trials showing that ashwagandha can help reduce perceived stress, improve sleep, and sometimes even lower anxiety levels. However, it’s not a magic bullet, and results can vary from person to person. And of course, it should be used as part of a broader approach that includes good nutrition, movement, sleep hygiene practices and stress management techniques.”
If you do want to try it for yourself, you can buy ashwagandha in capsule, tablet or powder form, Clarissa recommends starting with a lower dose and gradually increasing if needed. “Always follow the instructions on the supplement label or your healthcare provider’s advice,” she advises. “Some people prefer to take it in the evening to support relaxation and sleep, while others take it in the morning for general stress support.”
Are there any ashwagandha side effects?
She also notes that some people may experience upset or drowsiness if taken in large doses. “Ashwagandha may also interact with certain medications, including sedatives, medications for high blood pressure, thyroid hormones, and immunosuppressants,” she says, so check in with your doctor before taking it in any form.
For me though, as someone who spent years searching for that elusive sense of calm, often chasing fleeting trends and quick fixes, ashwagandha has offered a more grounded and sustainable sense of calm. It’s not about being perpetually Zen, but a gentle reminder that sometimes, the most profound shifts happen not with a bang, but with a quiet, consistent whisper of support.
Has ashwagandha helped me achieve inner peace? No. But – and it’s a big but – it has helped me achieve more moments of peace throughout the day, and that is no small feat.
