Does Ashwagandha Make You Extremely Tired? Unpacking the Side Effects

October 17, 2025 •

4 min read

In a 2021 review of five studies, ashwagandha was found to have a small but significant effect on improving overall sleep, yet some people still report daytime grogginess. So, does ashwagandha make you extremely tired, or is there more to the story?

Quick Summary

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that promotes balance by regulating cortisol and managing stress, which often improves sleep quality rather than causing extreme fatigue. However, individual sensitivity, high amounts, or incorrect timing can lead to mild-to-moderate drowsiness as a side effect.

Key Points

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen: It helps the body manage and adapt to stress, which can result in either relaxation or improved energy, not a forced state of sleepiness.
Amount and timing are key: Higher amounts or taking it in the morning can increase the likelihood of experiencing drowsiness. Many find evening use more beneficial for sleep.
Stress reduction can induce sleepiness: By lowering cortisol levels and promoting GABA-like activity, ashwagandha can calm the nervous system. For those who are chronically stressed, this can manifest as fatigue as the body begins to truly relax.
Interactions can amplify effects: Combining ashwagandha with other sedatives, depressants, or even certain supplements can increase drowsiness and potential side effects.
Not a conventional sedative: Unlike typical sleep aids, ashwagandha's effects are gradual, and it does not usually cause the next-day grogginess or dependency issues associated with pharmaceutical sleep aids.
Listen to your body: The correct approach to taking ashwagandha is highly individual. Adjusting the amount and timing based on your unique response is the best practice.

The Dual Nature of Ashwagandha: Energy and Relaxation

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a revered adaptogenic herb in Ayurvedic medicine, famous for its ability to help the body manage stress and restore balance. The plant's Latin name, somnifera, literally means "sleep-inducing," hinting at its calming properties. However, as an adaptogen, its effects are not always straightforward. For some, it can provide an energy boost, while for others, its stress-reducing qualities promote relaxation and better sleep. The question of whether ashwagandha makes you extremely tired is complex and depends on a variety of factors, including the amount taken, timing, and individual body chemistry. The sensation of excessive tiredness is usually a side effect or a signal that something is amiss with how you are using the herb, rather than a primary effect of the herb.

The Science Behind Ashwagandha and Sleepiness

Ashwagandha influences the body through several key pathways, which can explain the varied experiences people have with it:

Cortisol Regulation: Chronic stress leads to persistently high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to fatigue. Ashwagandha is well-documented for its ability to lower cortisol levels, particularly in the evening when levels should be naturally dropping. By helping to regulate this stress hormone, it can facilitate an easier transition to rest and improve sleep quality, which might be interpreted as drowsiness during the day by some users.
GABA-like Activity: Research suggests that ashwagandha may influence gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. GABA helps to calm nerve activity, producing a relaxing or even sedating effect. While not a traditional sedative, this calming influence can contribute to feelings of mild drowsiness in some individuals.
Improved Sleep Quality: Clinical studies have repeatedly shown ashwagandha improves overall sleep quality, helps people fall asleep faster, and increases total sleep time. When someone has been sleep-deprived due to stress, the improved rest provided by ashwagandha can feel like an intense wave of sleepiness as the body catches up on lost rest. This feeling is not extreme fatigue but rather the body's natural recovery process.

Why You Might Feel Extremely Tired on Ashwagandha

While the goal is typically better rest, feeling excessively tired or fatigued can happen for several reasons:

High amounts: Taking an amount that is too high for your body can overwhelm your system and amplify its calming effects, leading to pronounced drowsiness.
Improper Timing: If you are particularly sensitive to ashwagandha's relaxing effects, taking it in the morning could lead to unwanted sleepiness during the day. For many, shifting when you take it to the evening is a simple and effective solution.
Drug Interactions: Ashwagandha can interact with other medications, particularly sedatives, and central nervous system (CNS) depressants, amplifying their effects and causing excessive sleepiness. It can also interfere with medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid disorders.
Individual Response: Everyone's physiology is unique. For some, the adaptogenic effect simply leans more toward relaxation than stimulation. Listening to your body is crucial for determining the right approach for you.

Managing Ashwagandha-Induced Tiredness

If you experience unwanted tiredness from ashwagandha, consider the following strategies:

Reduce the amount you are taking: Starting with a smaller amount and gradually increasing it is a common approach to find what works for you.
Adjust when you take it: Try taking the full amount in the evening or before bed to maximize its sleep-promoting effects without interfering with daytime alertness.
Cycle your use: Some people find that cycling off ashwagandha for a period helps prevent tolerance and side effects.
Consult a professional: If tiredness persists or is extreme, speak with a healthcare provider to rule out underlying medical conditions or potential drug interactions.

Comparison: Ashwagandha vs. Traditional Sleep Aids

To understand why ashwagandha-induced tiredness differs from that of conventional sedatives, consider the following comparison.


Feature	Ashwagandha (Adaptogen)	Traditional Sedatives (e.g., Xanax, Ambien)
Mechanism	Promotes balance by regulating stress hormones and modulating neurotransmitters.	Directly binds to brain receptors to induce immediate, forced drowsiness.
Onset	Effects are gradual and build over weeks of consistent use.	Effects are immediate, typically within minutes of consumption.
Side Effects	Mild drowsiness, stomach upset; generally low risk.	Potential for severe grogginess, dependency, and withdrawal symptoms.
Morning Alertness	Often associated with enhanced mental alertness upon waking.	Can lead to a morning "hangover" effect or grogginess.
Dependence Risk	Very low to non-existent; rebound effects are minimal.	High potential for physical and psychological dependence.

Potential Complications and Precautions

While generally safe for most, some individuals should be cautious with ashwagandha due to potential side effects and health interactions. Rare but serious side effects, including liver injury and increased thyroid activity, have been reported. For those with pre-existing thyroid conditions, autoimmune disorders, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding, consulting a doctor is essential.

In conclusion, while ashwagandha can cause drowsiness in some individuals, particularly with higher amounts or specific timing, it is not typically associated with the kind of extreme, debilitating fatigue that might be associated with other health issues. Its adaptogenic nature means it's working to bring your body back to a state of equilibrium, which for some means calming an over-stressed system. For those who experience unwanted tiredness, adjusting your routine and consulting a healthcare professional is the best course of action.

Learn more about potential interactions at GoodRx.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, as an adaptogen, ashwagandha helps balance the body. For some, particularly those with depleted energy levels, it can increase vitality and resilience to stress, leading to a feeling of increased energy rather than tiredness.

Mild drowsiness is a reported side effect, though it is less common than other potential issues like stomach upset. Feeling mildly tired is different from extreme fatigue and can often be managed by adjusting the amount or timing.

Ashwagandha's effects are gradual. While some people may notice changes within a few weeks, optimal results for sleep and stress reduction are typically seen after 8 to 12 weeks of consistent use.

The ideal time depends on your personal response. If you find it makes you drowsy, taking it in the evening or before bed is best. If it gives you an energy boost, a morning use may be more suitable.

No, it is not recommended to combine ashwagandha with other sedatives, CNS depressants, or sleep aids without a doctor's supervision, as it could lead to excessive sleepiness and other side effects.

There is no universally recommended amount, and what is appropriate can vary based on individual needs and the form of the supplement. It is recommended to start with a smaller amount to assess your body's reaction and adjust as needed, ideally under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

While there is limited long-term research, ashwagandha has a good short-term safety profile. Extreme or persistent fatigue should be evaluated by a healthcare professional, as it could indicate an underlying issue or an inappropriate amount.