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Adaptogenic root herb whose withanolide compounds are thought to blunt HPA-axis cortisol release; clinical trials link standardised extracts to reduced perceived stress and anxiety scores.
Generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, and related conditions. Affects 1 in 6 people in the UK.
Also known as: Withania somnifera
Every published result for this pair, extracted and audited.
These charts group published studies by what they reported and how they were run — green marks studies that reported a benefit for this pairing. Tiers run from pooled analyses of many trials (strongest) to one-off observational reports.
Direction of reported outcomes for Ashwagandha in anxiety.
Study designs behind these findings.
Every measured outcome, one row per finding - numbers exactly as reported.
| Study | Design | n | Duration | Outcome measured | Reported result | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PMID 36017529 2022 | Meta-analysis | 1,002 | - | anxiety | -1.55 SMD (95% CI: -2.37, -0.74; p = .005; I2 = 93.8%) | Benefit |
| PMID 36017529 2022 | Meta-analysis | 1,002 | - | stress level | -1.75 SMD (95% CI: -2.29, -1.22; p = .005; I2 = 83.1%) | Benefit |
| PMID 34559859 2021 | Meta-analysis | 400 | - | anxiety level | reported qualitatively | Benefit |
| PMID 34559859 2021 | Meta-analysis | 400 | - | mental alertness on rising | reported qualitatively | Benefit |
| PMID 34559859 2021 | Meta-analysis | 400 | - | overall sleep | -0.59 Standardized Mean Difference (95% Confidence Interval -0.75 to -0.42) | Benefit |
| PMID 34559859 2021 | Meta-analysis | 400 | - | quality of life | reported qualitatively | No benefit |
| PMID 37832082 2023 | Randomised trial | 50 | 60 days | CANTAB multitasking, concentration, and decision taking time | reported qualitatively | Benefit |
| PMID 37832082 2023 | Randomised trial | 50 | 60 days | Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) | reported qualitatively | Benefit |
| PMID 37832082 2023 | Randomised trial | 50 | 60 days | Morning salivary cortisol | reported qualitatively | Benefit |
| PMID 37832082 2023 | Randomised trial | 50 | 60 days | Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) | reported qualitatively | Benefit |
| PMID 37832082 2023 | Randomised trial | 50 | 60 days | Quality of Life (QOL) | reported qualitatively | Benefit |
| PMID 37832082 2023 | Randomised trial | 50 | 60 days | Serum glutathione (GSH) | reported qualitatively | No benefit |
| PMID 37832082 2023 | Randomised trial | 50 | 60 days | Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) | reported qualitatively | No benefit |
| PMID 37832082 2023 | Randomised trial | 50 | 60 days | Serum nitric oxide (NO) | reported qualitatively | No benefit |
| PMID 37832082 2023 | Randomised trial | 50 | 60 days | Urinary serotonin | reported qualitatively | Benefit |
Hand-selected PubMed studies, linked to the originals.
Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.
01Effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on mental health in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsAlsanie SA, et al. · Complementary therapies in medicine · 2026PMID 41644067 ↗02Transdiagnostic reduction in cortical choline-containing compounds in anxiety disorders: a (1)H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy meta-analysisMaddock RJ, et al. · Molecular psychiatry · 2025PMID 40913113 ↗03Effects of Different Cannabinoid Formulations on Anxiety-Related Disorders, and Tourette Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisRaminelli AO, et al. · Cannabis and cannabinoid research · 2025PMID 40956670 ↗04Effectiveness of Cannabidiol to Manage Chronic Pain: A Systematic ReviewMohammed SYM, et al. · Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses · 2024PMID 37953193 ↗Be the first to share what you noticed with Ashwagandha for anxiety. How we calculate this.