Best Naturals Ashwagandha Capsules for Relaxing Stress and Mood, 500 mg, 120 Count
CamelCamelCamel.
Are you arguing with the word "natural"? 'Cause that's just part of the brand name. I don't think anyone has said that Natural = Always Good.
Anything in moderation is generally okay for the body, excess or incorrect use can do harm.
hell yeah, heroin here i come
What an empty statement. You are saying that not doing too much of something is ok which is true by it's own definition. But 'too much' can be very little to a lot and it's meaningless without making a specific statement about the product.
My thoughts on ashwagandha:
It was magic for about 2 weeks. I was sleeping so much better, feeling amazing during the day and my thought processes were drastically enhanced. Then I started getting really aggressive. I had an altercation with a manager at work. It was something I was definitely in the right about, but I just took it a lot further than I should have. There were no serious repercussions, and the manager actually apologised to me, but it was still shocking that I reacted the way that I did. The other incident was a road rage incident where I actually got out of the car to argue with someone about something so small.
I still take ashwagandha occasionally, but it has never had the same magical effect that I had when first using it. Has anyone else experienced something similar?
personally for me
taking it did basically nothing
didnt notice any difference
definitely varies between each person
It is one of the few herbal supplements that had a noticeable affect on me. Both good and bad. Funny how many negs I get for just commenting my opinion on using it.
This forum is weird like that.
Plot twist, you were taking placebos and you’re really just a raging (profanity)
Anyone named Shaun usually suffers from a lack of emotional regulation
No definitely not a placebo. As I mentioned above it is one of the few herbal supplements that had a very noticeable effect for me.
Its said to boost testosterone… So could it be your testosterone talking back then?
Do you take any L-Cystine or L-Arginine or Guarana ?
Then I started getting really aggressive
Must have interacted badly with the ashwabol
I still take ashwagandha occasionally, but it has never had the same magical effect that I had when first using it. Has anyone else experienced something similar?
This is true for most mind alterants and a primary reason people keep taking more (chasing the same magic) till they're suffering consequences of overuse.
Definitely agree with this statement. But I did not keep chasing it.
This is wrong in every way you expect from South Park
Are you using the same brand? Probably developed a tolerance. Plus it seems like quality can vary. Not much standardisation or quality checks with herbals. Had average stuff from eBay and new lot seems way better. It's meant to raise testosterone levels, so maybe worked too well .. would look at balancing stimulants (adaptogenic) like ginseng.
I haven't tried this particular brand. The brand I first started with was called "healthy care Australia" which actually from another ozbargain post. That's where the magic was. I have since tried a few other brands, but never had the same effect. (Toniq, Now Foods, Swanson and life extension). I'm not trying to say it's bad, as I did have a good experience with it, but followed by a bad experience. People are just iditios negging me for commenting about my own experiences.
Ok meant if you used the same brand again. Mine was bought in my home country south Africa and $2 /100g. Seems way stronger than my last one which was sourced from eBay. I use half to a full teaspoon and think last dosage was Tbsp and still weaker. Seemed to rapidly lose potency after being opened so caps may better.
Not much standardisation or quality checks with herbals
Nootropics Depot are fantastic in this regard
yeah, if you find a good brand, stick to it…
Have a chat with your GP.
I am frankly not sure whether it is beneficial (seems like some say it is). How it is supposed to work, that's something that I am more uncertain about (something about GABAergic and serotonin level popped up, which tells me bugger all). That said, if it does have impact on those, I would not be surprised if it causes side effects like irritability.
Antidepressants that work on serotonin level have side effects until the brain adjusts itself to them (hence why a lot of people tend to experience side effects on the first few weeks, and hence why you need to wean off them). I am sure one of the side effects of antidepressants is increased irritability.
Or it could be something completely different like interaction with medications you are taking etc etc etc.
Your GP would probably be able to give you firmer answer, and more importantly would likely be able to give you medical feedback that you can use as the next step.
You are actually speaking words of wisdom. I have a lot of experience with GABAergic substances in a previous life, and ashwagandha is definitely a GABA b agonist. I also take escitalopram daily, which is an SSRI and most likely having some interaction with it.
Escitalopram has been a life changer for me, especially in regards to anxiety.
In that case especially, I would have a chat with your GP. If having the supplement caused positive changes, it might be worthwhile to see whether you change the dosage, augment it with something, or change the med to something else to see whether it has a positive change.
GPs do change the medications with the aims to support symptom management all the time, so I wouldn't be surprised if your meds can be optimised further.
@iridiumstem: The current GP I see is definitely not someone I would even try to consult about these things (bulk billed). I am certain that I would know more about this stuff and my own mental heath than him. My previous GP was quite good but now retired. I will continue with what works for me. Occasionally cycling ashwagandha has been fine and quite relaxing when I have used it.
@Shaun Prawn: Yeah, I was going to say you guys obviously have found some amazing GPs to be having conversations about adaptogens with (Ashwagandha is an adaptogen). Most won't know anything about it, dismiss it immediately, and/or laugh that you've suggested something so foreign to them. Although an Indian doctor may be more likely to have insights to share given Ashwagandha has been traditionally used there for 1000's of years.
GPs aren't what they used to be. Any time I ask a GP a question these days they go straight to google and recite something off the screen to me. My $100 buys 5-10 minutes of a human reading google to me. I avoid GP's unless I'm not sick enough to be admitted to hospital and too sick to do nothing. I'm sure there are some great ones out there, I've just not be fortunate enough to find one since I was a kid, family doctor, used to be able to answer anything and made the time if you needed it.
That's why you have to cycle these. 1-2 weeks on and same amount off.
Oh someone else just said what I wrote an essay getting around to. Yes exactly, 1-2 weeks max on, then the same duration off, or as I do, take a different adaptogen during those the off week(s). To keep it simple just do exactly what you said.
You all should just smoke / vape some weed
Thank you for sharing your experience!
With all due respect, I don't think your altercation with your manager had anything to do with the ashwagandha.
This is not a reply to you specifically, but it may be of interest.
TL:DR Ashwagandha imo isn't something you read about on OzBargain and start taking, it really needs a bit of research - at the very least, watch a few YouTube videos. It's going to be trial and error but taking it correctly can be the difference of a good result and one like the post above because experiences like that really can happen. (It's never happened to me and I'll explain why below)
I have Ashwagandha for balancing my mood (the work I do requires having a level head, Ashwagandha helps with that), I find its like trying to pull a floatie underwater, it's hard to keep it down, and eventually you just float back up again, so it's been great for me. That said, there are many wrong ways to take it. I did extensive research and came up with a solution that works for me—basically, taking it in rotation with something else that is complimentary and won't clash. This post will be an essay if I go right into it but I take Ashwagandha for 7 days and then L-theanine for 7 days. Taking Ashwagandha daily nonstop allows your body to build tolerance, at best, it will just stop working for you, and at worst, you may experience negative emotions like you've mentioned! I've also heard people get depressed. If a negative experience is going to occur, it typically appears in the 14–28 day range. I've been on it for months, but I rotate it weekly with something complementary, which for me is called L-theanine (which is similar, but different, I won't go into that or this will be an essay) - I doubt anyone will read this full reply, but I'll just say it's been great for me personally.
I won't take chemical meds for my mood, a) because my mood swings aren't that bad in the first place but b) ive tried them when I was younger and brain turns to mush, can't focus, they're too powerful for me even in part doses.
Appreciate this and did read it! I do find a lot of the information overwhelming though. Not conceptually, but there are just so many directions to go in and different opinions on different things. How did you reach a landing on your combo?
I'm glad you found it helpful!
TL:DR > Youtube + ChatGPT + Reading articles (if I hit hurdles I was going to talk to a specialist but everything worked out great so I never bothered)
I started with Youtube being the easiest starting point. I walk 5km a day so that's an hour a day I'm otherwise not doing anything. I had a high-stress lifestyle, 3 jobs, and ended up losing vision in 1 eye (a condition called CSR - Central Serous Chorioretinopathy), the advice was if I didn't make major changes it would likely return in 1 or both eyes, and could even be permanent next time. So adaptogens were one piece of the solution puzzle. Changing my work, diet and fitness made up the rest. Oh and recognizing stress in the first place as I never identified as being stressed, I just thought I was "busy".
Picking Ash was the easy part, I understood it required an on/off cycle but I wanted to find out if you could take something during the off cycle. Research led me to l-theanine and rhodiola. The main focus was ensuring no clashing with Ash at the end of the day research only takes you so far and I bit the bullet. I never got to rhodiola because l-theanine worked well. It's similar to Ash, manages stress, calms you down but somehow also boosts you socially which is good for me as an introvert. I'm not socially akward, I just get lazy, so this makes the effort a little less. My life runs in weekly cycles, a quiet week and a busier one, so I take Ash on the quiet and Theanine on the busy one and that seems to work great for me.
Finally, and you may laugh. I custom setup a ChatGPT Health bot, I run everything by it from bloods to diet to this. It's all about finding confluence. I don't act on ChatGPT or Youtube advice alone, I still read and research but a combo of all 3 makes the whole process faster and easier than just reading endlessly. You just have to tweak the Ai so you don't constantly get medical liability responses. Even the bots don't want to get sued these days.
I hope that answers your question?
I've actually been doing a similar cycle of ash and theanine, but just not every day, only when I'm feeling a bit flustered and it definitely does help me from being overwhelmed by work/life etc. I've also had a lot of success with rhodiola on some days, I find it helps me focus a lot better.
Good to hear! Rhodiola was next on my list if I wasn't happy with the Ash / theanine combo but since it's been working well I have never tried rhodiola yet.
A 2019 study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6750292/) found that it can sometimes increase testosterone levels in men, that might have contributed to the change in your mood and temper?
Just vape weed imo.
First of all, you are a prawn. You probably took a large dose vs bodyweight.
Secondly, and more seriously, I think Ashwagandha shouldn't be taken with anti-depressants or SSRI's, if I'm not mistaken.
From WebMD:
Drug Interactions
Ashwagandha may interact with common medications that treat depressive and nervous system disorders like benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, or barbiturates.
Because it can lower blood sugar and blood pressure levels, people taking medications to manage these conditions or diabetes may need to adjust their dosage to use ashwagandha safely.
Increases in Hormone Levels
Ashwagandha can increase testosterone levels. This effect can be harmful to people with hormone-resistant prostate cancer. It can also raise thyroid hormone levels in some people, so speak to your doctor if you are on medication for thyroid disease.
Cheaper than all brands on iherb, I hope it's good.
I’m way too nice. I take Ashwagandha so I can hit that medium of being a cnt but also a nice guy.
Normal price I think. Bought this over a month ago same price.
To be honest I don’t know if it is working.
I got another brand of ashwagandha and never work.
if you already had a altercation with your manager, followed by the manager apologising to you, then its working
if you find yourself visiting gay establishments, then its working
Source: Ozbargain research institute
What’s with the homophobic jokes?
They're jokes, don't take them so seriously
@Mahalo: You are taking the internet too seriously.
if you find yourself visiting gay establishments, then its working
How is this homophobic? If i said something like "avoiding the gay" then thats homophobia.
To be honest I don’t know if it is working.
that's because you didn't take it with a dose of snake oil
sigma grindset
Ashwagandha ASCII art
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Traditionally used shirt term only.
Weed is much safer
Daily reminder that none of these herbal things do anything.
Generally I agree that herbal supplements are a joke, but ashwagandha definitely does something. Some others I have had noticeable effects from are rhodiola and alpha gpc. I also combo with bioperine if that actually makes any difference. Supposed to increase absorbency through the gut.
It only does harm in the long term
kava powder does. I mean it could do nothing if you buy low quality, if it doesn't numb your lips you know you bought low quality and your reminder would be appropriate , it'll probably do nothing. Other problem with kava is how ridiculously expensive it is, and also, effects so similar to alcohol/valium, A bottle of wine $8, a bottle of valium $8, a bag of kava $80
Daily reminder that none of these herbal things do anything.
False. I tried taking berberine without eating much and had hypoglycemia symptoms.
Why did I read it as big naturals
What's that?……. 🧐
A channel on pornhub
Take small dose daily. Dont overdo it. Helps you to sleep and enhances performance. Best taken with hot milk before bed
That means 60g, you can buy 100g from Indian shops for less than $10.
Yeah, starting to get hyped now. So they may take the same or similar product, put less of it in a fancy bag, then charge more, lol. Main thing I would check is manufactured date on anything older looking.
I recommend avoiding the powdered form, may as well eat dirt.
Ordered for 2 bottles 🙏
Phenibut works better. One small dose works for 24 hrs. They recommend 1 to 3 grams daily but 500mg does wonders.
Obligatory reminder that phenibut became schedule 9 in Australia some years ago i.e. it's illegal AF
Also 1-3g daily is absolutely a recreational amount - would not recommend doing that daily, if at all. 1g is not that bad to be fair, but even below that dosage it's prone to forming a rather nasty dependence with rebound/withdrawal if consumed regularly, especially in higher amounts.
Agree that 500mg does wonders though :) Even less like 250mg can be quite effective and enjoyable.
It's definitely a weird drug in how widely individual responses can vary in terms of dosage, subjective experience, and liability for rebound and withdrawal symptoms.
Also it's pretty wild how it's schedule 9, while alcohol, which can produce dependence with a withdrawal syndrome so severe it can kill you, remains legal and readily available
Agree,but gov makes billions on etoh and cigarette taxes
I have about 1kg left from before it got banned (i love how they give you a grace period before ban takes effect so you have plenty of time to source it from a reputable supplier), RIP yohimbine and phenibut.
Next one they will probabaly ban is synephrine (they have already limited its acceptable dose in supplements to 15mg per day) . Its an amazing fat burner. Ive been taking 50mg per day for last 2 months and now can see my 6 pack. Nothing has changed in terms of cardio, diet or excersize so i know its working.
Ive been stocking up on it past few months and am looking for a reputable supplier in powder form.
Phenibut might work better, but it's kind of like alcohol - totally differently. I'd be worried about side effects/long term impacts on GABA receptors/anxiety, should be alright if used sparingly in small doses.
Is 500mg a big dose for this stuff? Anyone know if this one is easily halved
Back to 19 bucks
So what is this stuff, some kind of herbal meth?
OMG price increased to 19.75
Remember you are supposed to take a few weeks on/off when taking this.
Sounds like a cycle of diananol
I prefer the standardised ones from life extension so atleast I know what I am getting.
Natural does not mean can do no harm. Read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withania_somnifera#Adverse_eff…