30 Sec Answer: No, ashwagandha is not known to make people angry. In fact, it may help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress that can cause anger.
Introduction
Ashwagandha is an herb with many medicinal uses and health benefits. It has long been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to treat various ailments such as inflammation, diabetes, and neurological conditions. More recently, it has gained popularity for its purported ability to help improve mental health and well-being. While there is still some debate around the efficacy of ashwagandha’s purported effects, there is some evidence that suggests it may have a positive effect on mood and emotion. But does ashwagandha have the potential to make someone angry?
What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an evergreen shrub native to India and North Africa. It belongs to the Solanaceae family, which also includes plants such as tomatoes and potatoes. The roots and leaves of the plant are commonly used for their medicinal properties in Ayurvedic medicine. Ashwagandha is also known by other names such as Indian ginseng or winter cherry.
Historical Use of Ashwagandha
In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha was believed to possess several beneficial properties including being able to increase energy levels, strength, stamina, and endurance. It was also thought to be able to improve cognitive function and alleviate anxiety. Over time, these beliefs were supported by studies showing that ashwagandha could indeed have a positive effect on both physical and mental health.
Benefits of Ashwagandha
The primary active ingredients found in ashwagandha are called withanolides, which are compounds that are believed to have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-stress, immune-boosting, antioxidant, and nerve protective properties. In addition to these effects, research has shown that ashwagandha may be helpful in treating anxiety disorders and depression due to its calming effect on the nervous system.
Does Ashwagandha Have Side Effects?
Although ashwagandha is generally considered safe when taken at recommended doses, it may cause side effects in some individuals. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, headache, and insomnia. If you experience any of these symptoms after taking ashwagandha it’s best to stop taking the supplement immediately and speak with your doctor or healthcare provider before continuing use.
Can Ashwagandha Make You Angry?
Given its purported calming effect on the nervous system it seems unlikely that ashwagandha would make someone angry; however there has yet to be any scientific research into this specific question so we cannot say for certain one way or another whether this is true or not. While there is no clear evidence either way at this point in time; anecdotally many users report feeling more relaxed while taking ashwagandha which could potentially lead to less anger or aggression overall.
Is There Any Research into This Topic?
At present there have been no studies specifically looking at whether ashwagandha has the potential to make people angry or not; however there have been a number of studies conducted into the potential mood enhancing effects of ashwagandha supplementation. One such study conducted in 2018 found that those who took 300mg of high-concentration full-spectrum extract twice daily experienced significantly reduced levels of anxiety compared with those given a placebo over 8 weeks period [1]. Another study published in 2019 showed similar results but also suggested that taking 500mg once daily had an even greater impact on reducing levels of perceived stress than lower doses [2]. Both of these findings suggest that ashwagandha could potentially help reduce feelings of anger or aggression associated with stress or anxiety; although further research would need to be done in order to confirm this hypothesis definitively.
Other Potential Benefits
In addition to its potential mood enhancing benefits; other potential benefits associated with ashwagandha include improved sleep quality[3], increased muscle mass[4], enhanced cognition[5], increased libido[6], increased fertility[7], lowered blood sugar levels[8], reduced inflammation[9], lowered cholesterol levels[10] , improved cardiovascular health[11], better blood pressure regulation[12], reduced arthritis pain[13], and decreased risk of cancer[14].
Recommended Dosage
Due to the lack of reliable dosing information available regarding ashwagandha supplementation it’s important that you consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before starting use; particularly if you plan on taking higher doses than what is typically recommended (generally between 250 – 500 mg per day). Your doctor will be able to provide you with advice tailored specifically towards your individual needs based on factors such as age, weight etc., as well as any medications you might be currently taking which could interact negatively with ashwagandha supplementation.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately we cannot say for certain whether or not ashwagandha has the potential to make someone angry; however given its calming effects on the nervous system it seems unlikely that it would have this effect. Furthermore there have been numerous studies suggesting that regular use could help improve mood overall; thus potentially helping reduce feelings of anger or aggression associated with heightened levels of stress or anxiety. As always though it’s important to consult with your doctor before starting use just ensure safety; particularly if you plan on taking higher doses than what is typically recommended (generally between 250 – 500 mg per day).
