What Are Ashwagandha Gummies? A Beginner’s Guide
Ashwagandha is one of a few natural substances gaining popularity in the U.S. as an adaptogen. Loosely defined, an adaptogen is a non-toxic substance that helps the mind and body manage symptoms of stress and become more resilient. You can ingest the plant in a number of different ways, but one increasingly popular way is through ashwagandha gummies. But that begs an important question: what are ashwagandha gummies, exactly, and how do they work? Today, we’ll take a closer look at ashwagandha, its benefits and risks, and recommended dosages.
What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha (withania somnifera) is a plant—an evergreen shrub, more specifically—found in parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe. It’s not a particularly tall plant, as it typically grows to 14–30 inches tall. Its leaves are varying hues of green, and it has a red (sometimes yellow) fruit in the center about the size of a pea.
Ashwagandha gets its name from its trademark smell. In Sanskrit, Ashva means “horse,” and gandha means “smell.” Yes, you read that right – this super-plant quite literally smells like a horse’s backside.
It’s no surprise, then, that many products containing ashwagandha, including gummies, aim to eliminate or curtail the strong scent of the plant as much as possible. That hasn’t always been the case in Ayurveda, the holistic medicine system started in India more than 3,000 years ago.
You might know ashwagandha by two other names: winter cherry and Indian ginseng. Ginseng, however, is not synonymous with ashwagandha, although ginseng does contain withanolides, the primary chemicals found in ashwagandha.
Ginseng (sometimes called Asian ginseng) is a stimulant, while ashwagandha is noted for its calming effects. The various parts of the ashwagandha plant, including the leaves, roots, seeds, and fruit, are useful in a number of applications.
What Are Ashwagandha Gummies?
A popular way retailers prepare ashwagandha for human consumption is by putting the plant or related extracts in gummies. Ashwagandha gummies might make it easier or more pleasurable for some people to consume the plant.
For instance, Green Roads’ Stress Aways Ashwagandha Gummies contain KSM-66 Ashwagandha, a concentrated extract of the plant. Supplement retailers often infuse fruity flavors and other appealing tastes to help mask ashwagandha’s somewhat bitter taste.
What Are Ashwagandha Gummies Good For?
A number of health benefits have been reported among ashwagandha users. The method of consumption does not appear to change its potential benefits. Still, many consumers prefer ashwagandha gummies due to their appealing flavors and ability to gradually ramp up the substance’s usage.
Are ashwagandha gummies effective, though? It depends on the effects you want to get out of them, but many people have described ashwagandha’s positive effects on stress and insomnia, among other conditions.
What are ashwagandha gummies used for? Here are some effects they may have on the body:
- Lowered blood pressure
- Boosted immune system
- Lowered cortisol levels
- Increased testosterone levels
- Reduced inflammation
What are the benefits of ashwagandha gummies?
The potential physiological effects of ashwagandha gummies are one thing, but how can these products actually improve your life?
Your mileage may vary, but you may experience one or more of the following benefits:
- Decreased stress and anxiety. More than one study has shown that ashwagandha can lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Lowered cortisol levels can also trickle down to emotional stress—ashwagandha has helped many people feel less anxious.
- Improved cognition. Most everybody wants natural, non-toxic, and simple ways to be smarter, right? Ashwagandha gummies may help with that, as the plant has been shown to improve memory in older adults.
- Better sleep. Without healthy sleep, most humans are almost useless. Insomnia has a number of negative effects on physical and emotional health. Ashwagandha has helped many people get better sleep—and more of it.
- Increased muscle strength. Ashwagandha can help promote muscle healing during and after exercise. As a result, your limbs may feel stronger.
- More stamina and energy. Multiple studies have demonstrated ashwagandha’s positive effects on maximal energy consumption for athletes. Put simply, athletes who participated in the study were able to work out for longer periods before tiring.
- Improved sexual health. Ashwagandha has increased testosterone levels in many people, which has cascading benefits for both potency and sex drive. Similar benefits have been demonstrated with menstrual health.
Do ashwagandha gummies make you sleepy?
Ashwagandha has had positive effects on sleep for many users. Benefits have included better sleep quality (less tossing and turning) and a decreased amount of time falling asleep.
It’s not clear if ashwagandha gummies can make you sleepy or drowsy – though they do for some people. Still, there’s a good chance they can help you get better sleep overall.
Potential Side Effects
As with most supplements and substances, ashwagandha gummies may cause you to experience one or more side effects, including:
- Drowsiness (when you’re not taking ashwagandha for sleep)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Liver problems (including liver failure in extremely rare cases)
In some cases, ashwagandha can interact with certain prescription medications, including:
- Antidiabetic medicines
- Drugs that lower blood pressure
- Benzodiazepines
- Thyroid medications
- Drugs that interact with the liver
- Anticonvulsants
- Immunosuppressants (ashwagandha can increase the immune system’s function, decreasing their effectiveness)
Given these potential side effects and medication interactions, it’s best to speak to your doctor before you start using ashwagandha or any other supplement. Using ashwagandha to treat health concerns won’t do you much good if you end up creating new ones!
How to Use Ashwagandha Gummies: Top Tips
Many of the important considerations for using ashwagandha gummies are the same as using ashwagandha in teas or soups or via capsules.
- Refrain from ashwagandha use if you are pregnant or nursing. Because no studies have shown that ashwagandha use in these contexts is safe, experts recommend erring on the side of caution.
- Take ashwagandha with other food if you experience an upset stomach. Some people experience nausea or diarrhea if they take ashwagandha on an empty stomach.
- You may take ashwagandha in the morning or evening. Users often have to take ashwagandha for several weeks before seeing results, so you won’t experience immediate results. If you are hoping for increased energy, though, you might want to eat your gummy in the morning. Take it at night if you’re using it to get better sleep.
Dosing Ashwagandha Gummies: How Many to Take
A good rule of thumb when taking ashwagandha or any type of natural supplement is to start slow. You never know how your body may respond to something new.
You may want to initially eat, at most, one gummy per day. Work up to one or two gummies each day. It’s wise to never exceed the recommended dosage on the packaging.
How often should I take ashwagandha gummies?
We recommend not exceeding two ashwagandha gummies per day. You may want to eat one in the morning with breakfast and one at night just before bed. It may take several weeks before you notice any benefits from your ashwagandha gummies.
Fan Favorite Ashwagandha Gummies & Goodies to Try
Have we convinced you to purchase some ashwagandha gummies? Assuming the answer is yes (wink, wink), here are four products we recommend.
1. Green Roads Stress Aways Ashwagandha Gummies
This product from Green Roads is a great introduction to ashwagandha. Each gummy has 25 milligrams of the substance, which is a smaller dose. You might want to use these gummies if you’re looking for all-natural stress relief. The gummies also have l-theanine and CBD extract.
2. Boner Bears Male Enhancement Gummies
Boner Bears offers an array of organic supplements meant to boost libido and sexual performance. Men and individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB) might consider giving this product a spin if they’re looking for a little more fun and energy during sexual activities.
3. Bliss Bears Female Enhancement Gummies
Bliss Bears, another product from Boner Bears, is designed for women and individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB). Like the Male Enhancement Gummies, the Bliss Bears Female Enhancement Gummies may help your sex drive, anxiety, and energy in the bedroom.
4. Medterra Good Night Capsules – CBD + Melatonin + CBN
The good night’s sleep you’ve been begging for may just come from this Medterra product. Each capsule contains 50 milligrams of ashwagandha and a blend of other substances, including melatonin.
Shop Ashwagandha Gummies at The Green Dragon CBD
Ashwagandha gummies are perfectly good—and tasty—introductions to the substance. It’s been used for more than 3,000 years to help with stress, insomnia, fatigue, low energy levels, and even decreased libido.
Will you experience those benefits? It’s hard to say, but there’s only one way to find out! Start shopping for ashwagandha gummies and other gummy products right here at The Green Dragon CBD.
We’re here to help you discover the best products for your lifestyle, whether they contain ashwagandha, cannabis, shrooms, or something else entirely! Reach out for a free consultation at any time to get some extra guidance and support.