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Best Time To Take Ashwagandha (For Testosterone)

Ashwagandha falls into a category of herbs (and some mushrooms), known as adaptogens.

They have this label due to their unique ability to adapt to the body’s needs.

For example, when you’re overstressed, adaptogens will help calm you down, whereas if you need that extra jolt of energy, they’ll “pick you up” so to speak.

In other words, they work like an internal Stressostat, keeping the body’s stress response at an ideal state.

(Yes – I just invented the word stressostat and yes – I’m proud of it.)

The reason I’m telling you this is the time of day you take adaptogens has a massive impact on the benefits and effects that you get from them.

Here’s whether you should take Ashwagandha in the morning or night:

You should take Ashwagandha in the morning if you want to reduce anxiety or your blood sugar levels. Whereas you should take Ashwagandha at night if you want to improve sleep or increase testosterone levels.

In this article, I’m going to explore the benefits you may notice from taking Ashwagandha in the morning and at night. From this knowledge, you can then take Ashwagandha at the time of day which suits your needs.

Reasons To Take Ashwagandha In The Morning

1. Ashwagandha can reduce blood sugar levels

Ashwagandha has been shown to lower blood sugar levels in many different studies now.

One study in particular had 12 participants treated with Ashwagandha powder for 30 days. The results showed that the decrease in blood sugar was similar to that of an actual blood sugar lowering drug!

So, by taking Ashwagandha in the morning, you’re more likely to have stable blood sugar levels for the rest of the day.

I’ve noticed that stable blood sugar levels are important for keeping your mood, hunger and energy levels from yo-yoing which usually sends me crazy.

2. Ashwagandha may help reduce anxiety

With so many of us getting caught up in the stress of everyday life, as well as comparing ourselves with others on social media, it’s sadly unsurprising to see how many people have anxiety nowadays.

The good news is Ashwagandha has been shown to improve anxiety in quite a few studies.

For example, a 6-week study looked at anxiety levels in people taking either Ashwagandha or a placebo.

The results showed that 88% of people who took Ashwagandha had less anxiety by the end of the study.

Another study on 64 people had some participants take 600mg of Ashwagandha every day for 60 days.

Those who took Ashwagandha had a significant reduction in scores on the “stress test”, relative to those who took a placebo.

Since anxiety is generally more noticeable throughout the day, it’s best to take Ashwagandha in the morning to keep them mental health demons at bay.

Reasons To Take Ashwagandha At Night

1. Ashwagandha lowers Cortisol levels

As touched upon earlier, many of us are stressed nowadays by getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the hectic lifestyles we live.

Unfortunately, high stress levels raise your Cortisol levels through the roof, making it difficult to fall asleep.

(Biologically, we’ve evolved to have high Melatonin and low Cortisol levels at night which helps us sleep, but high Cortisol levels messes up this process.)

Well you’ll be please to know that Ashwagandha has been shown to lower Cortisol levels in plenty of studies, including this one.

So, by taking Ashwagandha at night, you’ll have lower Cortisol levels before bed as nature intended, resulting in a good night’s sleep.

2. Ashwagandha boosts testosterone

If you’re a male and you’re depressed, then there’s a fairly good chance that your testosterone levels are low.

And despite what the mainstream media want you to believe about testosterone being the root of all evil, there’s nothing wrong with having high testosterone levels.

Put it this way, if high testosterone levels are helpful to the richest man in the universe, then they’re almost certainly going to be helpful to you.

Well it turns out that Ashwagandha is very effective at boosting your T levels.

Take this study for example, where 75 infertile males who were given Ashwagandha ended up with significantly higher testosterone, as well as “healthier” seminal fluid.

The reason I recommend you taking Ashwagandha at night for this benefit is that your testosterone levels are at their highest during sleep. (The REM phase of sleep to be precise.)

So, this will help boost testosterone at the time when your body has evolved to have high testosterone.

3. Ashwagandha may boost muscle size and strength

An 8-week study of 57 participants investigated the relationship between Ashwagandha and muscle size and strength.

Some of the participants took 300mg of Ashwagandha twice per day whilst others took a placebo.

Those who took the Ashwagandha had greater increases in muscle strength, muscle size, testosterone levels and fat loss.

In other words, they pretty much turned into Wolverine.

Joking aside, if you want Ashwagandha to help you gain size and strength, you’re probably best taking it close to your workout.

And since evening workouts are more effective than morning workouts for size and strength, I recommend taking Ashwagandha at night for muscle related benefits.

Conclusion

By now, you’ll know just how amazingly versatile Ashwagandha is as a supplement.

And if I’ve done my job correctly, you’ll have an idea of when the best time to take Ashwagandha is to benefit yourself.

Chances are many of you are better off taking it in the morning whilst many of you will benefit from taking it at night.

But if you’re still unsure, then why not do your own mini experiment and try both?

That’s all for this article, but what about Moringa vs Ashwagandha? Or perhaps you’re interested in Ashwagandha vs Melatonin?

Hope this helped!

Judy

Tuesday 24th of May 2022

Since I had covid, I have had severe brain fog, will Ashwagandha help me to be more focused and think better. Or what do you suggest? Thank you

Judy

Robb

Wednesday 1st of June 2022

Adaptogens, like Ashwagandha, can certainly help with brain fog. It's worth giving it a try, but if you have no luck, then perhaps try a different adaptogen like Holy Basil.

Dawn

Friday 16th of April 2021

Hi Robb! I'm allergic to Rosemary does ashwagandha goli contain any of that. Just concerned 😐. Thank you in advance!

Robb

Saturday 17th of April 2021

Hey Dawn,

This you'd have to check with your medical doctor!

Rachna Tuli

Sunday 14th of March 2021

Hey hi

Thanks for such a great insight. I have started taking 2 leaves of ashwagandha empty stomach in morning and 2 while going to sleep. I am feeling constipated. Wonder why is that as I never ever felt constipated in my life. Can u suggest remedy. I am taking leaves for weight loss.

Sonny

Sunday 8th of November 2020

Thanks Robb you nailed it! I will follow you from now on.

Robb

Sunday 22nd of November 2020

Thanks Sonny. Glad you enjoyed the article :)

Faku

Wednesday 14th of October 2020

Hi, I have been taking Ashwagandha for 5 days, my sleeps has been disrupt, I found it hard to fall asleep that I used to do before taking Ashwagandha at night. I have chronic insomnia,anxiety and anxiety physical symptoms. Do you think I should take in the morning? Also can I take Lion Mane with Ashwagandha. Do you think

Robb

Wednesday 14th of October 2020

Hi Faku,

Yes, if you have difficulty sleeping when taking Ashwagandha at night, try it in the morning instead to see how you feel.

There's a supplement called Peak Valley: Nourish My Brain which contains both Lion Mane and Ashwagandha - perhaps you want to give that a try to see how you feel?