Does Ashwagandha Give You Energy? What to Expect Daily
Ashwagandha is a potent and powerful adaptogenic herb that many people take in times when they feel depleted, stressed out, or not quite like themselves.
But does ashwagandha make you feel good?
And if so, what type of energy are you in for?
Let’s dive into what this ancient root really can do for your everyday vitality — and how it fits (or doesn’t) with a life that is grounded in real food, nature, and holistic wellness.
What is Ashwagandha and How Does it Work?
Ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera, is an adaptogen—the name for a category of herbs that help your body adapt to physical and emotional stress.
Used for more than 3,000 years in Ayurvedic medicine, it’s believed to bring balance back into the body.
It does so primarily by modulating cortisol, the stress hormone that surges during times of anxiety, lack of sleep, or burnout.
‘When cortisol is elevated, you are in an activated ‘fight or flight’ state — fatiguing, depleting, and an unsustainable way to live.
Ashwagandha helps calm that system down so your natural/innate energy can rise back up (1).
Does Ashwagandha Really Increase Your Energy?
Yes, but not in the same way as caffeine or stimulants.
Ashwagandha is not an upper.
Rather, it creates tolerance in your system over time.
Supports mitochondrial function (the energy engines of your cells), improves sleep quality, and balances hormone levels—all essential for steady, sustained energy throughout the day (2).
After consistent use, a lot of people say they're less exhausted, clearer-minded, and better at dealing with the normal stressors life throws our way.
It’s not about hyperactivity.
It’s about calm, focused strength.
Ashwagandha and the Stress-Energy Connection
Stress is one of the greatest energy drainers today.
When you’re brain-fried or emotion-defunct, coffee overloads won’t do the trick.
Ashwagandha targets this root problem.
By keeping your cortisol in check, you allow your nervous system to switch from high alert mode — where you are always on defense — to repair and recovery mode (3).
And when you stop wasting energy on stress responses, you get it back in the form of vitality.
That’s especially important if you are suffering from burnout, adrenal fatigue, or chronic overwhelm.
Is Ashwagandha a Stimulant or Does It Make You Sleepy?
The short answer is: It's complicated.
Ashwagandha balances whatever is happening in the body.
If you are wired and anxious, it can be relaxing.
If you are fatigued and sluggish, it may help increase stamina.
The time of day you take it also matters a lot.
Morning use helps you feel balanced and ready to take on the day!
Use at night may help you obtain better sleep, and ultimately better energy levels the next day (4).
Reactions vary, but most describe this as balance rather than sedation or stimulation.
Ashwagandha Before And After – How Long Does It Take For Ashwagandha To Work?
Most people taking them for energy and mood support see results in between 2 and 4 weeks.
The first signs might include:
- More consistent energy levels
- Reduced brain fog
- Fewer afternoon crashes
- Improved ability to handle stress
Ashwagandha has its greatest benefits when used regularly, in conjunction with other healthy practices such as getting quality sleep and eating nutrient-dense food while moving your body every day.
It isn’t a silver bullet — but one that is a powerful tool in a long-term energy strategy.
Ashwagandha for Men vs Women: Regarding Energy & Stamina
Ashwagandha is suitable for both men and women, even though it supports energy in slightly different ways.
In men, it may also promote natural testosterone production and help improve physical performance, strength/stamina, and mental focus (5).
It helps to regulate cortisol in women and may alleviate hormone-related fatigue, such as during PMS or menopause.
It also boosts thyroid, a major body regulator of energy.
It doesn’t matter what your gender is; if your hormones are out of whack, so will be your energy.
Ashwagandha will help those systems to come back into balance.”
Some people ask: Is Ashwagandha Safe to Take Daily for Energy?
Generally, yes.
Ashwagandha is safe at typical doses.
There are a few side effects, though in some people, it can prompt mild digestive disturbance or a bit of drowsiness.
But if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are being treated for thyroid or autoimmune conditions, consult a physician.
Seek sources that are of good quality, don’t have additives, and were extracted cleanly.
Here's where most can't hold a candle to Wild Foods—our ashwagandha is responsibly sourced, never watered-down, and always in line with our mission of purity and sustainability.
Choosing a Quality Ashwagandha Supplement
All ashwagandha is not equal.
For maximum energy, look for supplements with the following ingredients:
- Organic or wild-crafted roots
- KSM-66 or Sensoril standardized extracts
- No additional fillers, gums or artificial ingredients
There are a number of budget options that are spiked with poor-quality powders or hidden ingredients that could cause more harm than good.
At Wild Foods, we believe your energy system deserves better.
That’s why we source our alcohol directly from small-scale, reliable producers.
This means no fillers, extra junk, or “other ingredients”.
You get what you deserve… the pure, true sh!t – pure natural cold processed organic ashwagandha designed to help you reWild your body and mind.
Final Thoughts
Consider ashwagandha a tuning fork for your energy —but it’s not a blaring alarm clock.
It does not force your system to work harder.
It refuels the energy you’ve been leaking from stress, poor sleep, and hormone chaos.
If you’re sick of being tired, and you want to give your body a little inside-out support, this herb is a smart first step.
It’s not just about energy.
It’s about balance.
It’s rediscovering your natural rhythm.
And here’s one more way you can support the Wild mission — living clean, strong, and in tune with nature.
Are you prepared to feel grounded energy with no crashing afterwards? Test out Wild Foods Ashwagandha for yourself and experience it.
🍓 Tasty Calm in Every Bite! Delicious strawberry-flavored relief powered by clinically backed KSM-66. Feel good the Wild way. Try it now! 🍓
FAQs on Does Ashwagandha Give You Energy?
How long does it take for ashwagandha to give you a boost of energy?
For the majority of people, there is a marked reduction in energy and stress levels after about 2-4 weeks of daily use.
Should I take ashwagandha in the morning or at night for energy?
Drink it in the morning for all-day energy. If you want more sleep support, evening may be the better choice.
Does ashwagandha make you tired or give you energy?
It has the capacity to traffic in both, depending on what your body needs. It can restore balance by calming stress or enhancing stamina.
How do I know that ashwagandha is working?
Better focus and mood, better sleep, and even energy (without crashes) are all some of the first indicators you’ve become a fat-burner.
Is ashwagandha more effective than caffeine for energy?
Yes, for long-term energy. Ashwagandha does not stimulate the CNS or the adrenal glands and therefore will not leave you depleted.
Related Studies
1. Title: A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults
This 60-day trial with 64 stressed adults showed ashwagandha root extract (300 mg twice daily) significantly reduced serum cortisol levels (P=0.0006) versus placebo, alongside stress scale improvements.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23439798/
2. Title: Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Physical Performance: Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis
This meta-analysis of trials with 403 participants found ashwagandha (120–1000 mg/day) reduced fatigue, improved physical health, muscle recovery, and sleep while lowering cortisol in healthy adults.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8006238/
3. Title: An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract
In this 60-day RCT with 60 stressed adults, 240 mg daily ashwagandha extract significantly lowered morning cortisol (P<.001), anxiety (HAM-A, P=.040), and stress scores versus placebo.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31517876/
4. Title: Clinical evaluation of the pharmacological impact of ashwagandha root extract on sleep in healthy volunteers and insomnia patients
This double-blind RCT showed ashwagandha root extract improved sleep onset latency (p=0.013), efficiency, total sleep time, and quality more in insomnia patients than healthy volunteers versus placebo.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32818573/
5. Title: Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial
This 16-week crossover RCT in adults found that ashwagandha enhanced muscle strength, endurance, testosterone, and recovery during resistance training versus placebo.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26609282/
