An Examination into the Anti-stress and Anti-fatigue Effects of an Ashwagandha Extract (Ashwa.30) in Stressed Adults: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
Lopresti AL, et al
Published in Advances in Therapy
Methodology
28-day randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial (ACTRN12625000129482) in 60 adults aged 18-65 with self-reported stress, given ashwagandha extract Ashwa.30 at 30 mg/day or placebo; outcomes were the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, daily mood ratings and the Chalder Fatigue Scale, plus a Socially Evaluated Cold-Pressor Test on days 7 and 28 with subjective stress and fatigue, cardiovascular and electrodermal measures, skin temperature, salivary cortisol and chromogranin A.
Key Findings
Sixty stressed adults aged 18-65 were randomised to a low-dose ashwagandha extract (Ashwa.30) at just 30 mg daily or placebo for 28 days — far below the usual 250-600 mg. Self-reported stress fell more with ashwagandha in the full analysis set (p = 0.046), though the per-protocol analysis was directionally consistent but not significant. Daily stress ratings were lower (p = 0.043), and during a socially evaluated cold-pressor test on day 28 the ashwagandha group reported less stress (p = 0.044) with salivary cortisol staying stable while it rose on placebo (p = 0.047). No significant differences appeared for mood, Chalder fatigue scores, or any other cardiovascular, electrodermal or salivary measure.
Conclusions
An ashwagandha extract administered at 30 mg daily was associated with reduced self-reported stress; fatigue was a secondary outcome without a significant between-group difference.
Limitations
Only 60 people over four weeks, with every significant p-value between 0.043 and 0.047 and the per-protocol analysis losing significance — a fragile result; the study was funded by Natural Remedies Pvt Ltd, which makes the extract and employs five of the authors, and was run by a contract research organisation funded by nutraceutical companies.
Supplements Studied
An ashwagandha extract administered at 30 mg daily was associated with reduced self-reported stress in the Full Analysis Set.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
Funded by Natural Remedies Pvt Ltd, manufacturer of the Ashwa.30 extract, which employs five authors; trial run by Clinical Research Australia, a contract research organisation funded by nutraceutical companies.
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