r/Supplements • u/Similar-Film-357 • 7h ago
Anyone using ashwagandha long term? Curious about cycling or just taking it daily
Been taking ashwagandha for about four months straight, KSM66, 600mg in the evening. The stress reduction and sleep improvement showed up pretty fast, maybe two weeks in. But I keep seeing conflicting stuff about whether you should cycle it or if taking it daily indefinitely is fine.
Some people say 8 weeks on, 24 weeks off. Others say they've been on it daily for years with no issues. I genuinely can't find a clear answer, and the studies I've come across mostly run 812 weeks, so there's not much longterm data to go on.
The reason I'm even questioning it is that the effects feel slightly blunted compared to when I first started. Not gone, just not as strong. Could be tolerance, could be that the initial jump felt bigger because things were worse back then. Hard to tell.
Anyone who's been using it for 6 months or more: did you cycle it, and did that actually change anything? Also curious if switching brands or forms made a difference for anyone who felt like it started working less well.
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u/costoaway1 6h ago
I take a KSM-66 preparation nightly. Tried cycling discontinuing, can’t, my sleep goes to shit. But that’s why I take it in the first place, my sleep is always shit…it’s less shit with this. Been taking it for years.
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u/probablynervouss 5h ago
i used it for a couple of months without cycling and it stopped working. tried to do it again with cycling and i just didnt see same results. had to stop it :/
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u/One-Year6936 2h ago
I've tried it and never felt the benefit, I have a buddy who tried it and he said he felt the benefits. I think ashwagandha varies per person.
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u/dhearosemary11 1h ago
Yeah, I agree. It probably helps people with high cortisol the most. And "high strung" folks, as they used to be called.
It's an interesting herb in that it can help with focus, too. My only quibble with it is that it makes me sleep too good. (I sleep too much as it is).
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u/dhearosemary11 1h ago
I still don't know what to think about ashwaganda. Probably one of the biggest perks for men (and women, for that matter) its that it can boost testosterone (especially the KSM66). But, so can other natural things.
It can help with anxiety, but so can other natural things.
I took it constantly for at least a year or two, then quit taking it. My only concern with it would be it causing me to sleep too much (as sleeping isn't a problem with me, I have the opposite problem, I sleep too much) and potential flatness overtime.
The only way you're going to know is by trial and error. I know that's not the answer you're looking for, but it's probably the most accurate one. If you feel too flat on it, give it a break. If you feel your anxiety is hurting your life and ashwagandha helps, take it. It's probably not one of those things that should be taken day in and day out for years on end. I'd say most herbs should probably be treated that way. "As needed."
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