Abstract
ObjectiveTo determine the effect of Ashwagandha extract on sleep.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted in CENTRAL, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Google Scholars, World Health Organization Trials Portal, ClinicalTrials.gov, Clinical Trial Registry of India, and AYUSH Research Portal for all appropriate trials. Randomized controlled trials that examined the effect of Ashwagandha extract versus placebo on sleep in human participants 18 years old and above were considered. Two authors independently read all trials and independently extracted all relevant data. The primary outcomes were sleep quantity and sleep quality. The secondary outcomes were mental alertness on rising, anxiety level, and quality of life.ResultsA total of five randomized controlled trials containing 400 participants were analyzed. Ashwagandha extract exhibited a small but significant effect on overall sleep (Standardized Mean Difference -0.59; 95% Confidence Interval -0.75 to -0.42; I2 = 62%). The effects on sleep were more prominent in the subgroup of adults diagnosed with insomnia, treatment dosage ≥600 mg/day, and treatment duration ≥8 weeks. Ashwagandha extract was also found to improve mental alertness on rising and anxiety level, but no significant effect on quality of life. No serious side effects were reported.ConclusionAshwagandha extract appears to has a beneficial effect in improving sleep in adults. However, data on the serious adverse effects of Ashwagandha extract are limited, and more safety data would be needed to assess whether it would be safe for long-term use.
Highlights
Sleep is a state of reversible unconsciousness in which the brain is less responsive to external stimuli [1]
Ashwagandha extract appears to has a beneficial effect in improving sleep in adults
Data on the serious adverse effects of Ashwagandha extract are limited, and more safety data would be needed to assess whether it would be safe for long-term use
Summary
Sleep is a state of reversible unconsciousness in which the brain is less responsive to external stimuli [1]. Throughout the period of sleep, the body will cycle periodically between non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. NREM sleep is further divided into four stages, which is a continuum of relative depth [2]. Sleep episode in adults starts with a brief period of NREM stage 1, the lightest sleep stage. It progresses through NREM stage 2, stage 3 and stage 4, the deepest sleep stage. NREM sleep is followed by REM sleep, which is known for the most vivid dreams and bodily movements. The cycle is repeated three to six times, and as sleep episode progresses, the duration of stages of NREM sleep shorten while the duration of REM sleep lengthens [3]
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