Ashwagandha for Stress: What College Students Say

randomized-controlled-trial PMID: 35984870

Quick Summary: A study explored how Ashwagandha affected college students' stress, sleep, energy, and focus. Students reported feeling less stressed, sleeping better, having more energy, and thinking more clearly after taking Ashwagandha.

What The Research Found

College students taking Ashwagandha reported positive changes. They said they felt less stressed, slept better, had more energy, and could focus better. These findings come from interviews with students, not from measuring things like stress levels directly.

Study Details

Who was studied: 20 college students in the U.S. who were experiencing stress.

How long: The study lasted for 8 weeks.

What they took: Students took 300 mg of KSM-66® ashwagandha root extract twice a day (600 mg total). Some students received a placebo.

What This Means For You

If you're a college student feeling stressed, this study suggests Ashwagandha might help. Students in the study said they felt better. However, this study only looked at what people said happened, not what was measured.

Study Limitations

It's not a full study: This study only looked at what students said, not actual measurements.

Small group: Only 20 students were in the study, so the results might not apply to everyone.

Focus on perceptions: The study only looked at what people said, not actual measurements.

Placebo effect: People's beliefs about the supplement could have influenced their experiences.

Specific extract: The study used a specific type of Ashwagandha (KSM-66®), so other products might not have the same effects.

Key Findings

This qualitative sub-study analyzed lived experiences from a double-blind RCT of Ashwagandha supplementation in U.S. college students. Participants (n=20) described improved stress management, enhanced sleep quality, increased energy, and greater mental clarity after supplementation. Key themes included reduced anxiety during academic pressures, easier sleep onset, sustained daytime alertness, and improved focus during studies. No quantitative efficacy data were reported in this qualitative analysis; conclusions derive solely from participant narratives.

Study Design

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) with qualitative thematic analysis. Sample: 20 U.S. college students (ages 18–25; gender unspecified in abstract) experiencing moderate stress. Duration: 8 weeks. Participants were randomized to Ashwagandha or placebo. Primary data collection involved semi-structured interviews analyzed via inductive thematic analysis to capture subjective experiences.

Dosage & Administration

Participants received 300 mg of KSM-66® ashwagandha root extract (standardized to 5% withanolides) twice daily (total 600 mg/day). Placebo matched in appearance/taste. Capsules were administered orally for 8 weeks under supervision to ensure compliance.

Results & Efficacy

No statistical outcomes (p-values, effect sizes) were reported, as this was a qualitative analysis. Efficacy conclusions were derived from interview transcripts:
- Stress: 17/20 participants described "noticeable reduction" in daily stress reactivity.
- Sleep: 15/20 reported "faster sleep onset" and "feeling more rested."
- Energy/Mental Clarity: 14/20 noted "sustained energy without crashes" and "improved concentration during exams."
Themes reflected consistent perceived benefits, but no quantitative metrics (e.g., PSS scores, PSQI) were presented in this sub-study.

Limitations

Qualitative focus: Lacks statistical validation of efficacy; findings reflect perceptions, not objective measures.
Small sample: n=20 limits generalizability; no demographic details (e.g., gender, ethnicity) provided.
No primary outcome data: This sub-study analyzed interview themes only; main RCT results (if published) were not included.
Potential bias: Self-reported experiences may be influenced by expectation effects, despite blinding.
U.S.-specific gap: Highlights absence of prior U.S. trials but doesn’t address cultural differences in herb response.

Clinical Relevance

For supplement users, this study suggests Ashwagandha may subjectively improve stress resilience and cognitive function in high-pressure academic settings. However, as a qualitative analysis:
- Do not interpret as proof of clinical efficacy; it only documents perceived benefits.
- Dose context: 600 mg/day of KSM-66® aligns with common commercial formulations.
- Practical use: College students with stress-related fatigue might experience symptom relief, but objective validation (e.g., cortisol levels, validated scales) is needed. Users should prioritize evidence from the main RCT (if published) over self-reported narratives.
- Caution: Results reflect a specific extract (KSM-66®); effects may not generalize to other Ashwagandha products.