Background

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition with crippling effects on quality of life. Current management strategies are not always effective and often include medicines with undesirable side effects. Withania somnifera (aka ashwagandha) has been used in Ayurveda (the traditional medicine of India) for thousands of years. Its anxiolytic and antidepressant properties make it potentially useful for treating anxiety disorders.

The study

Each day of this 6-week randomized controlled trial, people with a GAD diagnosis took either 1 gram of ashwagandha extract (22 participants) or a placebo (18 participants). All participants were also taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant. Anxiety was measured on a validated scale at two and six weeks.

The results

Both groups reported decreases in anxiety at two and six weeks with no adverse events. The anxiety reduction was greater in the group taking ashwagandha in addition to their SSRIs. Studies with a larger sample size and longer follow-up will help better determine the clinical efficacy of ashwagandha for treating anxiety disorders.

Every month we summarize over 150 of the most noteworthy health and nutrition studies. Other health categories related to this summary include:Try Examine+ for free to view the latest research in 25 health categories and the entire Study Summaries archive, access our Supplement Guides, and unlock the Examine Database. Plus, earn continuing education credits!

Get free weekly updates on what’s new at Examine.

This Study Summary was published on July 7, 2020.