Ashwagandha taken daily for three months is generally safe for healthy adults, with only minor stomach discomfort reported by a few people.
Evidence from Studies
No evidence studies found yet.
What Would Prove This
Per GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this claim, ordered from strongest to weakest.
A meta-analysis would determine the overall incidence and types of adverse events associated with ashwagandha across multiple RCTs, establishing a pooled safety profile.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of all RCTs evaluating ashwagandha (250–600 mg/day) for sleep or stress over ≥8 weeks, pooling data on all reported adverse events, laboratory abnormalities, and withdrawals due to side effects.
A larger RCT would confirm the safety profile of ashwagandha at 600 mg/day over 90 days in a more diverse population, including those with comorbidities.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT with 500+ adults aged 18–65 with sleep problems, randomized to ashwagandha 600 mg or placebo for 90 days, with weekly adverse event monitoring, monthly liver/kidney function tests, and ECGs.
A prospective cohort would identify rare or delayed adverse events associated with ashwagandha use over 1–2 years in real-world settings.
A 2-year prospective cohort of 2,000 adults using ashwagandha supplements (any dose), tracking adverse events via quarterly surveys, hospital records, and lab tests, with comparison to non-users matched for health behaviors.
A cross-sectional survey could estimate the prevalence of self-reported side effects among ashwagandha users, but cannot determine causality or incidence rates.
A national survey of 10,000 adults asking whether they have used ashwagandha in the past year and whether they experienced gastrointestinal discomfort, fatigue, or other symptoms during use.
A case report could document a rare adverse event (e.g., liver injury) potentially linked to ashwagandha, but cannot establish frequency or causality.
A case report of a single individual developing elevated liver enzymes after 60 days of ashwagandha 600 mg/day, with exclusion of other causes and resolution upon discontinuation.