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do i need to cycle ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen clinically shown to help reduce stress and regulate cortisol levels, enhance focus and mental stamina, and reduce irritability and stress-related cravings. Also known by its scientific name, Withania somnifera, this helpful adaptogen for stress comes from the root of a flowering shrub native to India, Nepal, and parts of Southern Africa. It’s been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic practice as a Rasayana, or rejuvenating tonic.1

Ashwagandha powder has become a popular ingredient in adaptogenic supplements, but many people prefer to use it in cycles as opposed to every day. So what does the science say—should you cycle Ashwagandha? Read on to explore all things Ashwagandha cycling and how to cycle Ashwagandha for the best results.

What is Ashwagandha Cycling?

Ashwagandha cycling refers to the practice of using this herbal supplement for a set number of weeks or months at a time and then pausing for a set number of weeks or months before taking it up again. Many people believe that this approach to Ashwagandha powder supplementation can help maximize its efficacy by allowing your system a break so that it doesn’t become desensitized to the herb through long-term daily use.

Ashwagandha is known to have numerous benefits. So what are the benefits of Ashwagandha exactly? Turns out, there is a close tie between Ashwagandha and stress relief. This mood root has been shown to help lower stress and regulate cortisol. It can help with sleep quality, athletic performance (by way of muscle mass and oxygen consumption), hair health, cognitive function including memory, and sex drive. Proponents of Ashwagandha cycling believe that alternating between periods of use and periods of disuse can help your body avoid developing a tolerance to the dietary supplement so as to enhance these benefits and prevent certain side effects.

Do You Need to Cycle Off Ashwagandha?

So, do you actually need to do an Ashwagandha cycle, or should you take it consistently every day, week in and week out?

Further research on Ashwagandha cycling is needed to determine whether cycling is generally beneficial or whether consistent, long-term use is best. Though this herb has been used in traditional practice for millenia, Western science is still catching up, and it’s unclear whether cycling is truly effective. Clinical studies have been performed using a period of 3 months, 8 weeks, or less, so it’s difficult to say decisively whether a longer cycle would bear different results.

For that reason, it’s always a good idea to work with your healthcare provider on incorporating dietary supplements into your ritual based on your personal medical profile and needs. Different people will have different reasons for taking adaptogenic herbs, as well as different body types, different medical histories, different lifestyles, and different responses to supplements. When using the Ashwagandha plant, it’s important to take all of these into consideration. Talk to a healthcare professional about when you should take Ashwagandha and how to ensure that you are getting the best dosage for your unique needs.

Standard Cycling Protocol for Ashwagandha

When people choose to cycle Ashwagandha powder or other adaptogens, there are different cycle periods that they might try.

For instance, a short-term cycle might last for 1-1.5 months. A medium-term cycle might last for 2-3 months, and a long-term cycle might last for up to 6 months.

Some people choose to order a 3-month supply of daily Ashwagandha and add it to their morning or evening supplements, then when they run out, wait to reorder for 3 months, then repeat. Another individual might try taking Ashwagandha daily—being diligent about noting its effects—and only pause if and when they notice waning results or side effects.

Whatever your Ashwagandha cycling method, it’s important to be consistent within that if you want to see accurate and optimal results. Cycling doesn’t mean yo-yoing. Even though there’s no gold standard for Ashwagandha cycling, what we do know is that certain results have been registered in clinical studies with consistent use over time. So within your set Ashwagandha cycling period, or generally, take your herbal supplement daily and note any changes you experience.

This post was last modified on December 12, 2024 5:49 am