Ashwagandha has many health benefits, but does it also come with side effects? Find out about the dark side of ashwagandha.
0:00 Introduction: What is ashwagandha?
0:14 Ashwagandha benefits
0:53 Should I take ashwagandha?
1:39 Side effects of ashwagandha
3:06 Taking ashwagandha
In this video, we’re going to talk about the side effects and benefits of ashwagandha. Ashwagandha is a powerful herb that helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Along with stress management, ashwagandha has numerous potential health benefits, including the following:
•Reduces nervousness
•Helps reduce cortisol
•Increases VO2 max
•Increases testosterone
•Improves sleep
•Improves recovery
•Lowers blood sugar
•Helps improve insulin resistance
However, there are some things to consider before taking ashwagandha. Avoid ashwagandha if you have a hyperthyroid condition like Graves' disease because ashwagandha speeds up the thyroid.
Because it lowers blood pressure, it’s best to avoid ashwagandha if your blood pressure is already on the low side. If you have low cortisol, you won’t want to push it even lower with ashwagandha. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also avoid ashwagandha.
Don't take ashwagandha if you’re sensitive to nightshades or have a genetic problem that causes you to have too much iron. If you take too much ashwagandha for too long, some people describe feeling no emotion or feeling numb.
Most people who experience adverse ashwagandha side effects have taken it for too long and in high doses. Consider keeping your ashwagandha intake at around 600 mg daily, broken into two 300 mg doses. It’s also best to limit your intake to two months at a time.
Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, age 59, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.
Follow Me On Social Media:
Facebook:
Instagram:
Listen to my Podcast:
TikTok:
Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full-time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
#keto #ketodiet #weightloss #ketolifestyle
Thanks for watching! I hope this increases your awareness about ashwagandha's benefits and side effects. I’ll see you in the next video.
52 responses to “The DARK SIDE of Ashwagandha”
00:00 🌿 Ashwagandha has numerous benefits including stress reduction, anxiety relief, cortisol reduction, increased V02 Max, testosterone boost, improved sleep, and aiding in recovery.
01:47 🧠 Long-term and high doses of ashwagandha may lead to emotional numbing, possibly due to excessive serotonin or phytochemicals acting as defense molecules, causing stress adaptation.
02:55 💊 It’s advisable to limit ashwagandha intake to around 600mg per day, divided into doses of 300mg, and not exceeding two months continuously to prevent potential adverse effects.
03:48 🤲 Check out Dr. Berg’s video on acupressure points for stress relief.
Thanks 😊
Thanks
Thanks
Thank you! Have a wonderful day!🌞
Thank you 🙂
Learned one special thing. “The right Foods can cure all non communicable diseases “ Thank you Dr.Berg” 🇱🇰
Basically it prevents them But kudos if it cures them once they are present.
Most welcome!
@@DrbergDR BERG CAN I ADD A CRUCIAL QUESTION EVEN THOUGH I WATCHED THE VIDEO I’M TAKING LEVOTHYROXINE 50 MCG FOR MY THYROID, SO I SHOULDN’T BE TAKING ASHWAGANDHA?
I TOOK IT FOR 2 WEEKS BUT IT WAS MIXED WITH VALERIAN ROOT, GABA, AND MELATONIN FOR SLEEP BUT IT DIDN’T HELP. BUT I DO KNOW THERE ARE GOOD BENEFITS FROM ASHWAGANDHA , TAKEN FOR A COUPLE MONTHS ON AND OFF. I JUST DIDN’T KNOW IF I CAN TAKE IT IF I AM ON LEVOTHYROXINE 50 MCG? If you can please get back I appreciate it, be safe peace and blessings ✌🏼🙏🏼.
I just ordered a bunch of Ashwaganda good timing listening to this
Sounds good.
I drink the Yogi brand tea. Game changer for my anxiety. I cup before bed for a couple month did the trick. Now I mix up different tea but if I feel anxiety coming on I know where to go.
According to Ayurvedic principles, ashwagandha should not be taken for more than 2 months … and this is coming from my dietician who is a trained Ayurvedic doctor. So doctor Berg is right …
Why? I’ve been taking 800mg a day for 7-8 years. No problems.
he said it lowers cortisol.is cortisol high good for weight?
@@MarkNOTW stop
@@MarkNOTW Yes, and millions of people eat the Standard American Diet for many years before they develop serious metabolic issues. Just because nothing bad has happened so far, do you really want to take chances with your health? Against the advice of hundreds of years of experience? All right then.
@@DaBigBoo_ ?
Even 135mg of Ashwagandha gave me side effects: itchy skin. I can’t find any dosage lower than that. It works it’s just too powerful for me
I get capsules and use just a pinch in a smoothie. Then put the capsule back together and back in the bottle
@@dawnowens2345 You can buy powder. Then just use as much or little as you want.
The 2 times I tried it I got gout like symptoms almost immediately.
I don’t have any of the health problems mentioned in the video and have been using it for about a year but not all the time, I have found that my strength has significantly improved and I’m sleeping better. Thanks for the video 👍
Thank you for telling us the positive all these lummexes get on here and complain and this does zero 👍 good.
How often?
Same here. Been on and off for 2 years, helped significantly lower my chronic stress. But then again, I knew not to take it everyday from the get go because I did the due research and found other people had these side effects.
@@lars2894 This. You can’t take this every day, I did and I got anhedonia, which is the opposite side of anxiety. If you dose and cycle correctly, you will feel a lot calmer tho
Thanks for sharing your experience.
This is the first video that even mentions the elevated iron issue. When i was taking it, i had a blood test and noticed high iron, an after digging realized anemics take it to raise their iron, and i must have normal iron so when im on ashwaghanda my iron skyrockets, to dangerous levels, but not a single video mentions it !!
I didn’t know this. I take ashwaghanda from time to time. My iron levels are always a little low. It’s good to know that this helps my iron levels.
I only take it when I’m studying for exam time for school. No longer than 6 weeks at a time.
As soon as you said “nightshade”, my ears perked up. I am very sensitive to nightshades, and have avoided ashwagandha because of this. A good warning vid, Dr. Berg. Many thank yous!
Thank you!
I love my Ashwaganda gummies and I only take it periodically when I feel I need it.
I’m so glad dr Berg discussed the side effects of ash and the importance of not taking it long term. These “natural” supplements are not as harmless as we think. Ashwaganda was recommended to me to help deal with anxiety and other symptoms of perimenopause. I was on a dose of 600mg for 2 years. It did work for a while but then I started having severe side effects. Depression, anxiety, loss of feeling pleasure (that muted feeling that Dr Berg mentions), low blood pressure (I even fainted once) and general lethargy for much of the day. It also wreaked havoc on my digestive system. When you try to come off it, it can take some time as it is stored in your body fat. Please be careful and only use short term if at all.
Agreed. Like Dr. Berry says “Rat turds are natural too.”
I take it from time to time for anxiety. My anxiety was so bad that I was having bad heart palpitations. I take it for a week or two and it gets me back on track.
Awesome. Thanks for sharing your experience here.
Did it help your anxiety, and how well did it help your anxiety
Thx 4 sharing Ur experience. 💖
Try lions mane or resihi mushroom supplement for anxiety
You forgot to mention it’s native to India, Dr. Berg! 😊 Btw, it’s a potent *medicine* but only meant for short term usage, as you pointed out. And yes, not suited for everyone, and can cause intestinal irritation or stomach upset to a few, and some itching to others . Maximum may be 1-2 mo per 8-10 months, then pause.
The doctors i used to go to had me on 6 diffrent prescriptions. Now i take hair fomula, adrenal stress, and trace minerals. I have not gone back to the doctors for at least 6 years now. Im in excellent shape, eat healthy and exercise a lot. At first i was taking to many of the adrenal stress, but i lowered my intake a little, and have felt like im using a cheat code in life. Stress/anxiety/anger no longer have a home inside me. I trust DR.BERGS science.
I love Ashwagandha and used it for years, unfortunately it caused me to have a upper gi bleed. It took me a bit to realize that it was causing the bleeding. Once I quit taking it the bleeding stopped. Still I’m thankful for it because it helped me through a very stressful time.
Thx 4 sharing Ur experience.
I had the same experience
What are the symptoms of upper Gi bleed?🩸
I took it long term before I was pregnant, during my pregnancy, and postpartum. No negative effects.
Thank you so much Dr.Berg…❤️🌹
Great timing, I started my 2nd bottle of Himalaya Ashwagandha Organic Gummies, and will chill after finishing this one.
❤ Thanks alot dr Berg your information is always useful ❤