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The Beneficial Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract on Cognition, Energy, and Mood

Written by Harold Oster, MD. Results suggest that supplementation with Ashwagandha root extract in adults is associated with improved cognition, energy, and mood.

tired-ethnic-working-mother-at-home-with-playing-kidsPsychological stress occurs when an individual perceives that environmental or other demands exceed their capacity to adapt. Chronic stress has been linked to depression, anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, and various medical conditions, including cardiac disease and cancer1,2. Mental fatigue, a common symptom in anxious and depressed individuals, is characterized by subjective tiredness and lack of motivation3. Ashwagandha root, a traditional Indian medicine, contains steroid compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Ashwagandha root extract may improve cognition and symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety4.

Sanjiv Kale, MD et al. evaluated the effects of supplementation with Ashwagandha root extract (ARE) on cognition, mood, executive function, and mental fatigue. The authors recruited 121 individuals aged 30-75 with self-reported mental fatigue and memory or attention problems. They were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to take ARE (300 mg) or a placebo twice daily for eight weeks. The participants were evaluated at baseline and the end of the study with the Computerized Mental Performance Assessment System (COMPASS), the Profile of Mood States Abbreviated Version (POMS), the Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS), and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult (BRIEF-A). COMPASS is a computer program that measures various domains of learning, attention, and memory5. POMS is a widely used tool to evaluate current mood6. MFS is used to assess mental fatigue and its effect on function7. BRIEF-A is a self-administered questionnaire assessing numerous domains of executive function8.

The authors noted the following:

  • Based on exclusion criteria, 121 participants completed the study.
  • Participants who took the Ashwagandha supplement scored significantly better on the episodic memory, working memory, and accuracy of attention domains of the COMPASS assessment than those who received a placebo.
  • Those taking Ashwagandha improved significantly more in POMS mood testing than those taking the placebo.
  • Mental fatigue improved significantly more in the Ashwagandha group than in the placebo group.
  • Global executive function improved more in participants taking Ashwagandha than in those taking a placebo.

Results suggest that supplementation with Ashwagandha root extract is associated with improved cognition, energy, and mood. The study’s limitations include its small sample size and short duration.

Source: Kale, Sanjiv, Adrian Lopresti, Ravleen Suri, Neha Garg, and Deepak Langade. “Safety and Efficacy of Ashwagandha Root Extract on Cognition, Energy and Mood Problems in Adults: Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.” Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (2024): 1-13.

© 2024 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

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Posted January 17, 2025.

Harold Oster, MD graduated from medical school in Miami, Florida in 1992 and moved to Minnesota in 2004. After more than 25 years of practicing Internal Medicine, he recently retired. Dr. Oster is especially interested in nutrition, weight management, and disease prevention. Visit his website at haroldoster.com.

References:

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  2. Daviu N, Bruchas MR, Moghaddam B, Sandi C, Beyeler A. Neurobiological links between stress and anxiety. Neurobiol Stress. Nov 2019;11:100191. doi:10.1016/j.ynstr.2019.100191
  3. Mozuraityte K, Stanyte A, Fineberg NA, Serretti A, Gecaite-Stonciene J, Burkauskas J. Mental fatigue in individuals with psychiatric disorders: a scoping review. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. Jun 2023;27(2):186-195. doi:10.1080/13651501.2022.2129069
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  5. Doma KM, Lewis ED, Barracato JM, et al. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Study Investigating the Efficacy of a Whole Coffee Cherry Extract and Phosphatidylserine Formulation on Cognitive Performance of Healthy Adults with Self-Perceived Memory Problems. Neurol Ther. Jun 2023;12(3):777-794. doi:10.1007/s40120-023-00454-z
  6. Morfeld M, Petersen C, Krüger-Bödeker A, von Mackensen S, Bullinger M. The assessment of mood at workplace – psychometric analyses of the revised Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. Psychosoc Med. May 10 2007;4:Doc06.
  7. Johansson B, Ronnback L. Mental fatigue scale and its relation to cognitive, social and emotional functioning after a TBI or stroke. Brain Injury. 2014;28(1):572-573.
  8. Ciszewski S, Francis K, Mendella P, Bissada H, Tasca GA. Validity and reliability of the behavior rating inventory of executive function – adult version in a clinical sample with eating disorders. Eat Behav. Apr 2014;15(2):175-81. doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2014.01.004

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