WinSPIRE: Science in the NewsWhile in the school cafeteria, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation taking place at the table next to me. The conversation focused on the poor grades of one of the friends. That same friend stated that he had recently started taking a supplement called ashwagandha, which he had heard about on the social media site TikTok. He was taking this supplement primarily to relieve stress, and according to him, it seemed that the ashwagandha was doing its job a little too well. He stated that the reason for his failing grades was due to the lack of stress, which used to motivate him. After eavesdropping on this conversation I began to wonder what exactly ashwagandha is, how it’s used, and if it could be responsible for this classmate failing his classes.
According to the National Institute of Health, “[ashwagandha] is an evergreen shrub cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa, and Europe” (para. 1). The shrub has strong roots in traditional Indian medicinal systems. Recently, this shrub has been introduced into local pharmacies and stores as an over-the-counter supplement, often in pill form. Because ashwagandha has been recently introduced globally, most of its proposed uses are not yet thoroughly studied. However, one of its most common uses is to relieve stress, with many studies supporting this use.
Several clinical trials suggest that ashwagandha has a positive impact on anxiety, stress, and appetite levels. In 2021, hundreds of subjects from India participated in clinical trials to evaluate ashwagandha’s effects, with one group taking placebos and the other granules of ashwagandha root and leaf. At the end of the study, results showed that participants who took the granules of real ashwagandha had significantly reduced levels of cortisol compared to participants who took placebo granules. Although these studies suggest that ashwagandha has positive and real physical impacts, it is unknown what chemical is primarily causing these benefits. This is where scientists believe withanolides come in. Withanolides are a type of steroidal lactone that may be responsible for why people feel less stressed or fatigued when taking ashwagandha. Withanolides are highly prevalent in the ashwagandha plant, and when the substance is taken, scientists believe that withanolides react with the HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) axis in the body. The HPA axis is the system in our bodies that regulates and manages the stress response. When withanolides in ashwagandha interact with this system, it ultimately lowers cortisol, our body’s ‘stress’ hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands in the HPA axis, reducing stress.
The effects of ashwagandha on stress and cortisol levels have contributed to its widespread popularity. According to Forbes magazine, “Ashwagandha videos are racking up huge numbers on the platform: The hashtag #ashwagandha has more than 675 million views.” Users on TikTok claim that this supplement lowered their stress levels, heightened their performance in the gym, and improved their sleep quality. This wide range of proposed benefits has enticed many users to try the supplement. In addition to claims of ashwagandha’s benefits, however, users have reported adverse side effects such as numbed emotions leading to an empty depressed state. This concern underscores the importance of recognizing that not everyone responds to supplements in the same way. Additionally, some supplements can interact poorly with certain prescription medications, making it essential to consult a doctor before starting anything new.
So perhaps you’re finishing this article with a different perspective upon what the sensationalized substance, ashwagandha, is. Perhaps ashwagandha is not the supplement that’s directly linked to detrimental grades as our peer claimed, or one that numbs your romantic and intense emotions or directly causes an increase in strength and fitness. While ashwagandha is beneficial for your health, it may not be as powerful as many on TikTok or other social media platforms believe. Misinformation about supplements is very prominent in social media today, and ashwagandha is only one example of how easily facts can be warped to increase engagement. So, before you purchase a trendy supplement you heard about on social media, take a few minutes to research what you’re buying. Evaluate whether or not those benefits you hear about are really true, consult a doctor, and always ensure that you fully know the facts so you know you’re getting your money’s worth.
Written by: Saffron Khotil and Arely Urieta-Rivera
Edited by: Katie Holmes, Hazel Milla, and Lauren Griffith
