I’m not sure if a lot of people have heard of this supplement, or have tried it for sleep, but it’s something I had tried when I was having insomnia issues and I think it’s worth considering (disclaimer – I did not ask my doctor but you sure should! She also seemed OK with the dosage I was taking ~300mg at night when I eventually let her know).

Ashwagandha is a natural herb that has been used for many things for over 3000 years! Originally used in ayurvedic medicine, it is said to function as an adaptogen and reduce anxiety, depression, and induce sleep. There are other benefits being studied currently such as reports of anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardioprotective and anti-diabetic properties which are currently being studied.

In Latin it is referred to as withania somnifera (sleep-inducing) which checks out considering I first heard of it for its sleep benefits. It’s possible that the entire effect was placebo but I did notice that when I had insomnia it helped me at least relax and fall asleep. So much so that I would start panicking when I was running low in the supplement. I don’t use it as frequently these days since I have mostly resolved my sleep issues, but I think it still has benefits to reduce cortisol / stress.

Some people do report adverse effects such as nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, dizziness, among others, and of course, you should discontinue use if you experience any of these issues (consult doctor). And if you do intend to try it, I would recommend buying a KSM-66 certified organic version.

For more information, consider referring to this very length National Library of Medicine article Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)—Current Research on the Health-Promoting Activities: A Narrative Review – PMC.