Ashwagandha and Cognition

In the May 2014 issue of the Natural Medicine Journal, author Robin DiPasquale discusses a study looking at ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and cognitive and psychomotor performance. The completed study involved 20 healthy men between the ages of 20-35 years. The men were dosed with either ashwagandha (2 X 250 mg capsules of standardized extract 2 times per day) or placebo for 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off, and then another 2 weeks on. The participants were assessed through 6 psychomotor performance tests. The individuals who received the ashwagandha showed significantly improved reaction time in 5 of the 6 tests compared to the individuals who received the placebo. The article also mentions another study where ashwagandha was shown to improve auditory response time and mental arithmetic abilities. In general, ashwagandha is an adaptogenic or tonifying herb that helps us to manage our stress levels more effectively and feel more grounded. This article helps to highlight further support ashwagandha can offer towards strengthening our overall health.