ArticleEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM2021
Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract on Cognitive Functions in Healthy, Stressed Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.
Article in Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07647081 (Female Adversity and Biology), which is not on this map. Cited by 43 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Female Adversity and Biology: Stress Reduction
Who cites it
43 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 82 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effects ofFrontiers in pharmacology · 2026Pooled it
- Beetroot Juice Supplementation as a Healthy Aging Strategy Through Improving Physical Performance and Cognitive Functions: A Systematic Review.Nutrients · 2025Pooled it
- Therapeutic efficacy of botanicals in psychological disorders in menopausal women: a systematic and scoping review.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025Pooled it
- Effects ofNutrients · 2023Pooled it
- Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Hematological and Biochemical Markers, Hormonal Behavior, and Oxidant Response in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review.Current nutrition reports · 2023Pooled it
- Modulating stress and sleep through a multi-compound dietary supplement: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition · 2026Trial
- Trial
- Efficacy and safety of a sustained release ashwagandha root extract capsules on muscle strength and cardiorespiratory endurance in recreationally active individuals: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Frontiers in nutrition · 2026Trial
- Superior Bioavailability of a Novel 1.5% Ashwagandha Formulation (Zenroot™): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Single-Dose, Comparative, Oral Bioavailability Study in Healthy Adults.Advances in therapy · 2025Trial
- Effects of Root Extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Perception of Recovery and Muscle Strength in Female Athletes.European journal of sport science · 2025Trial
- Acute and Repeated Ashwagandha Supplementation Improves Markers of Cognitive Function and Mood.Nutrients · 2024Trial
- Effects ofNutrients · 2024Trial
- Exploring the efficacy and safety of a novel standardized ashwagandha (Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) · 2023Trial
- Safety of 12-Months Administration of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera ) Standardized Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Prospective, Observational Study.Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2026Observational
- Nutraceutical Applications ofFoods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Plant-mediated green nanoparticles: combining nanometal and biometabolite potential for Alzheimer's treatment.Biomedical engineering online · 2026Review
- Alternative and Complementary Therapies: A Review Exploring the Role of Yoga and Ayurveda-based Herbal Medicines in Alleviating Hypothyroidism and Its Neuropsychiatric Manifestations.Annals of neurosciences · 2026Review
- Back to the Roots: Safety and Tolerability of Standardised Ashwagandha (Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Phytochemical and Fungal Bioactive Compounds in the "Brain Health Triad": A Narrative Review on Neurostimulating, Neurotrophic, and Neuroprotective Synergy.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Review
- New Vistas for Withania somnifera in Signal Transduction of Inflammation and Aging.Pharmaceutical research · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe global prevalence of stress is increasing. Stress adversely affects cognitive ability, sleep quality, and overall psychological well-being. Ashwagandha (
methodsSubjects (130 healthy cognitively sound adults [20-55 years, body mass index:18-29 kg/m
resultsOnly 125 completed the study and were evaluated. The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) reported significantly improved recall memory, and the total error rate in recalling patterns significantly decreased at visit 4 in the Ashwagandha SR group vs. the placebo group (first attempt memory score:12.9 ± 6.7 vs. 10.1 ± 6.3; total errors:17.5 ± 23.3 vs. 27.7 ± 23.6). At visit 4, lower PSS-10 score (13.0 ± 5.0 vs. 18.7 ± 4.6;
conclusionsThis is the first clinical study assessing Ashwagandha SR for its safety and efficacy. Treatment with one Ashwagandha SR capsule once daily for 90 days improved memory and focus, psychological well-being, and sleep quality, reduced stress levels, and was safe and well-tolerated.
Identifiers
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.