Schizophrenia is an incurable condition. Therefore, treatment options revolve around symptom management. With that in mind, some have turned to natural treatment options. And with these options, you may wonder whether or not you can use ashwagandha for schizophrenia.

What is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha is a shrub that grows naturally in South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. It goes by various names, including: ¹

• Indian ginseng
• Poison gooseberry
• Winter cherry

Its utilization in herbal medicine dates back to tribal uses in ancient India. These were namely for inflammation and application against certain cancers. ²

How Does Ashwagandha Affect the Brain and Body?

Among the ancient benefits that ashwagandha provides, current research suggests it may:

• Assist in depressive-related symptoms
• Ease anxiety and stress
• Improve overall brain functionality
• Reduce cortisol band blood sugar levels

Can You Use Ashwagandha for Schizophrenia?

Since ashwagandha has such prominent effects on brain structure and functionality, it may help regulate symptoms of schizophrenia.

When consumed, ashwagandha balances cortisol levels in the brain and body. This hormone is responsible for stress. Simply put, when cortisol levels are too high, we experience more stress. As such, the herb has been found useful for various mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. ³

What Does the Research Say?

Research that specifically seeks ashwagandha for schizophrenia treatment is slim. However, we have other data that concerns ashwagandha’s use in other mental health disorders. These include:

• A 2019 study sought to determine how ashwagandha interacts with brain structures. More specifically, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. This area is responsible for the modulation of stress. When taken over 60 days, ashwagandha lowered cortisol levels. On top of that, men who participated saw an increase in testosterone levels. ⁴

• A 2018 study sought the application of ashwagandha on schizophrenia patients over 12 weeks. It helped to reduce symptoms and make schizophrenic episodes milder. ⁵

• A 2014 review looked into how anxiety and depression symptoms were affected by ashwagandha in schizophrenia patients. After 12 weeks, 66 participants reported a reduction in these symptoms. ⁶

The collection of this research confirms that ashwagandha holds promise to act as an additional treatment for schizophrenia. Furthermore, it doesn’t come with too many risks of adverse effects (see more below).

Ashwagandha Dosage Recommendation

It’s difficult to determine the proper dosage of ashwagandha for schizophrenia. Most brands you purchase from will have an established dose on the bottle. However, this recommendation may not be suitable for your condition.

In the aforementioned trials, most utilized a 1000mg dose of standardized ashwagandha extract in capsule form.

When it came to other mental health conditions (i.e. anxiety, depression, insomnia), 200mg was taken twice daily.

Ashwagandha Safety and Side Effects

It’s important to consult your healthcare provider before taking ashwagandha. While side effects are minimal, the herb can have negative interactions with other medications you may be on.

Ashwagandha’s most common side effects include: ⁷

• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Stomach irritation

On top of that, ashwagandha may cause the following long-term side effects:

• Extreme or prolonged fatigue, especially when mixed with other medications
• Pregnancy complications
• Interference with other pharmaceuticals, especially in males with cancer

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Ashwagandha for Schizophrenia Review

As with other natural herbs, ashwagandha products are unregulated. Therefore, it’s in your interest to only source from reputable companies. This can be tricky if you’re unaware of the industry. However, that’s why we’ve compiled a list of our top brands:

Since 1987, Gaia Herbs has connected people, plants, and the planet. The company ensures its products are organic, sustainable, and intentionally made. Each contains a HerbID which allows you to trace how that specific herb was cultivated.

Bulk Supplements is an online retailer that provides larger quantities of all-natural alternatives. Their products are sustainably sourced and made from 500 harvested plants and ingredients. The retailer is FDA-registered and inspected regularly for purity and sustainability.

NOW Supplements is one of the largest supplement manufacturers and distributors. They create supplements containing all-natural and sustainably sourced ingredients. They’re a family-owned company that places significance on affordability.

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Final Word

While ashwagandha is not a cure for schizophrenia, it may benefit you as an additional treatment option. Its natural ability to reduce cortisol levels is effective in easing various mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.

If you plan to take ashwagandha for schizophrenia, we recommend consulting a doctor beforehand.

References

¹ Singh N, Bhalla M, de Jager P, Gilca M. An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011;8(5 Suppl):208-13. doi: 10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.9. Epub 2011 Jul 3. PMID: 22754076; PMCID: PMC3252722.

² Mikulska P, Malinowska M, Ignacyk M, Szustowski P, Nowak J, Pesta K, Szeląg M, Szklanny D, Judasz E, Kaczmarek G, Ejiohuo OP, Paczkowska-Walendowska M, Gościniak A, Cielecka-Piontek J. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)-Current Research on the Health-Promoting Activities: A Narrative Review. Pharmaceutics. 2023 Mar 24;15(4):1057. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041057. PMID: 37111543; PMCID: PMC10147008.

³ Salve J, Pate S, Debnath K, Langade D. Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Cureus. 2019 Dec 25;11(12):e6466. doi: 10.7759/cureus.6466. PMID: 32021735; PMCID: PMC6979308.

⁴ Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Sep;98(37):e17186. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000017186. PMID: 31517876; PMCID: PMC6750292.

⁵ Chengappa KNR, Brar JS, Gannon JM, Schlicht PJ. Adjunctive Use of a Standardized Extract of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) to Treat Symptom Exacerbation in Schizophrenia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. J Clin Psychiatry. 2018 Jul 10;79(5):17m11826. doi: 10.4088/JCP.17m11826. PMID: 29995356.

⁶ Pratte MA, Nanavati KB, Young V, Morley CP. An alternative treatment for anxiety: a systematic review of human trial results reported for the Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). J Altern Complement Med. 2014 Dec;20(12):901-8. doi: 10.1089/acm.2014.0177. PMID: 25405876; PMCID: PMC4270108.

⁷ Verma N, Gupta SK, Tiwari S, Mishra AK. Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, study in Healthy Volunteers. Complement Ther Med. 2021 Mar;57:102642. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102642. Epub 2020 Dec 15. PMID: 33338583.