Dominic Stone
Ashwagandha is a herb with a range of purported health benefits, including improved sleep quality, cognitive function, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, excessive usage may lead to several side effects, including lowered blood pressure and liver damage. Some people have also reported muscle twitching after taking the supplement. This may be due to its muscle relaxant properties, as observed in animal studies. It is important to consult a doctor before taking ashwagandha, especially for those with certain medical conditions or those taking other medications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle twitches | A user on Reddit reported experiencing muscle twitches in their left eye and left bicep after taking ashwagandha for around 6 weeks |
| Other side effects | Sleepiness, slowed breathing, lowered blood pressure, lowered blood sugar levels, liver damage, interference with medications used during surgery, negative changes in sexual function, erectile dysfunction, harm to baby or termination of pregnancy, thyroid issues |
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What You'll Learn
Ashwagandha KSM-66 400mg and muscle twitches
Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa. It is commonly used for stress relief and is believed to help the body resist physical and mental stress. It is also used for conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, and aging, although there is little scientific evidence to support these uses.
KSM-66 Ashwagandha is a patented, highly concentrated, and bioavailable full-spectrum ashwagandha extract produced by Ixoreal Biomed. It has been clinically proven to reduce stress and improve athletic performance. The recommended dose of KSM-66 is 300-500mg per day, and it is GRAS status by the FDA, vegetarian, and safe for consumption.
Some people have reported experiencing muscle twitches after taking KSM-66 Ashwagandha 400mg. One person reported twitches in their left eye and left bicep after taking the supplement for 6 weeks, 5 days a week. However, it is unclear whether the muscle twitches were caused by the supplement or another factor, as there are limited reports of this side effect.
Ashwagandha has been associated with various other side effects, including lowered blood pressure, liver damage, and enhanced cognitive effects. It can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing, especially when taken with sedative medications. It is important to consult a doctor before taking ashwagandha to ensure it is safe and compatible with any medications you are taking.
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Ashwagandha's impact on the central nervous system
Ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera, is a traditional Indian medicinal plant with a wide range of purported medicinal properties. It is commonly used to treat brain disorders, including anxiety, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and depression.
Ashwagandha has a significant impact on the central nervous system. It has been found to have relaxing properties that can lead to drowsiness and slowed breathing. Due to these effects, it is recommended that individuals taking sleep medications or sedatives exercise caution when using ashwagandha. Additionally, ashwagandha may slow down the central nervous system, which is a concern for patients undergoing surgery as it may enhance the effects of anesthesia and other medications. It is advised to discontinue the use of ashwagandha at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Ashwagandha also interacts with thyroid hormones. It can increase thyroid hormone levels, which may cause undesirable symptoms in individuals with hyperthyroidism or those taking thyroid hormone medications. Furthermore, ashwagandha may lower blood sugar levels, which can be detrimental to those on diabetes medication.
While ashwagandha has various benefits, excessive usage may lead to negative effects. It is important to consult a doctor or healthcare provider before taking ashwagandha, especially for individuals with existing medical conditions or those taking medications.
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Potential adverse events and toxicity
Ashwagandha is a herb with many potential health benefits, but it may also cause adverse events and toxicity in certain individuals. While the herb is widely used and generally considered safe, it is important to be aware of potential side effects and interactions.
One of the most commonly reported potential adverse events associated with ashwagandha is liver damage. Some studies have found that ashwagandha can cause liver injury, and it may be especially harmful when taken with other supplements or medications that can also affect the liver. It is recommended that individuals with liver disease or other liver problems avoid taking ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha may also interfere with thyroid function. The herb can increase thyroid hormone levels, which may lead to undesirable symptoms in individuals with thyroid disorders. Those with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism should use ashwagandha cautiously and consult their doctor before taking it.
Additionally, ashwagandha may lower blood sugar levels, which can be dangerous for individuals with diabetes who are taking medication to control their blood sugar. It is important for those with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels closely if they choose to take ashwagandha.
The herb can also cause drowsiness and slowed breathing, especially when taken with sedative medications. Ashwagandha may also interact with medications changed by the liver, altering their effects and side effects. It is recommended that individuals taking any medication consult their doctor before taking ashwagandha.
Furthermore, ashwagandha may cause negative changes in sexual function, including erectile dysfunction in men. It may also induce abortions or miscarriages during pregnancy, so it is recommended that pregnant or nursing women avoid taking it.
While ashwagandha has many potential benefits, it is important to be aware of these potential adverse events and toxicity risks. Individuals should always consult their doctor or healthcare provider before taking any new supplement, especially if they have existing health conditions or are taking medication.
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Ashwagandha and liver damage
Ashwagandha is a popular Ayurvedic herb used as a general tonic to improve health, increase energy, and reduce stress and anxiety. It is derived from the roots of the Withania somnifera plant, a low-growing evergreen shrub native to India and Southeast Asia. The herb has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient Indian medical system.
In recent years, there have been reports of liver damage caused by ashwagandha supplements from various parts of the world, including Japan, Iceland, India, and the USA. While ashwagandha is considered generally safe and well-tolerated, with no reports of serious adverse events or hepatotoxicity in clinical trials, some cases of clinically apparent liver injury have been associated with its use. The liver injuries typically presented 2 to 12 weeks after starting ashwagandha, with symptoms such as jaundice, pruritus, and elevated liver tests. Rare instances of fatal liver injury or the need for emergency liver transplantation have also been reported, particularly in patients with pre-existing liver disease and cirrhosis.
The cause of hepatotoxicity from ashwagandha products is unclear, but it is suspected that the withanolides present in the herb may be responsible. In addition, commercial herbal preparations can sometimes be mislabeled or contain unknown herbs and medications, making it challenging to determine whether the reported cases of liver injury are solely due to ashwagandha or a contaminant. However, in several reported cases, the commercial product being taken was tested and found to contain ashwagandha without other contaminants.
Given the potential for liver injury associated with ashwagandha use, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before taking this supplement, especially for individuals with pre-existing liver conditions. It is also important to note that supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so consumers should be cautious and inform their physicians when taking any supplements.
As for muscle twitches, there are some reports of individuals experiencing muscle twitches in their left eye and left bicep after taking ashwagandha. However, it is unclear whether ashwagandha was the direct cause, as other factors such as caffeine intake or antidepressant properties may have contributed to the twitches.
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Ashwagandha's effect on blood pressure
Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa. It is commonly used to reduce stress and anxiety. It is believed to help the body resist physical and mental stress. However, it is important to note that Ashwagandha is generally only considered safe for short-term use.
Ashwagandha has been found to have several benefits, including improved sleep quality, cognitive function, and physical performance. It is also rich in antioxidants, which help protect against oxidative damage and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties make it a natural remedy for conditions such as arthritis and muscle pain.
One of the potential side effects of Ashwagandha is its impact on blood pressure. Ashwagandha might lower blood pressure. While this can be beneficial for those with high blood pressure, it is important to monitor your blood pressure closely, especially if you are taking medications that lower blood pressure. Combining Ashwagandha with blood pressure-lowering medications may cause your blood pressure to drop too low.
Furthermore, Ashwagandha may also lower blood sugar levels. This effect can be beneficial for those with diabetes, but it is crucial to monitor blood sugar levels closely. Taking Ashwagandha along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar levels to drop too low, leading to potential complications such as sweats, chills, and tremors.
In addition to its effects on blood pressure and blood sugar, Ashwagandha may also impact thyroid function. It might increase thyroid hormone levels, so it should be used cautiously or avoided by individuals with thyroid conditions or those taking thyroid hormone medications. Combining Ashwagandha with thyroid hormone pills may lead to an excess of thyroid hormones in the body, potentially resulting in undesirable side effects.
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Frequently asked questions
There is limited research on the side effects of ashwagandha, but one user has reported experiencing muscle twitches after taking it for six weeks.
Ashwagandha may cause sleepiness and slowed breathing, especially when taken with sedatives. It may also lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and harm the liver. It can also increase thyroid hormone levels, which may cause problems for people with thyroid conditions.
People with liver disease, thyroid disorders, or autoimmune conditions should avoid taking ashwagandha. Pregnant people should also avoid it, as it may cause miscarriage. People taking medication for insomnia, diabetes, or high blood pressure should also exercise caution.
Ashwagandha is believed to promote better sleep quality and cognitive function. It is also rich in antioxidants, which can help protect against chronic diseases, and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with arthritis and muscle pain.
The dosage of ashwagandha depends on individual factors and should be determined by a doctor. It is typically used in doses of up to 1000 mg daily for up to 12 weeks.
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