You may have heard about supplements like Ashwagandha and 5HTP if you or someone close to you is experiencing anxiety or depression. This is because these supplements can help relieve the symptoms of these mental health conditions.
It’s unknown, though, whether it is safe to mix them as part of a health routine. To better understand the benefits of Ashwagandha and 5HTP, their interactions with other medications, and whether you should mix them, we will go into more detail about them in this article.
Ashwagandha Benefits
Ashwagandha can control stress levels by influencing the adrenal glands as an adaptogen. Let’s look at some of the benefits Ashwagandha has to offer.
Reduces Stress
After two months of taking 600 mg of Ashwagandha daily, participants in a placebo-controlled study displayed significantly less stress [1].
Increases testosterone levels
Ashwagandha has been demonstrated to increase serum testosterone and sperm count and motility, raising testosterone levels in the body [2].
Increases Muscle Mass
Ashwagandha has been discovered to contribute to increased muscle mass, which is why it may be quite beneficial when used in conjunction with resistance training to enhance muscle growth and strength [3].
5HTP Benefits
Our bodies are the main source of the substance 5HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), but it is also available as a supplement to relieve anxiety or depressive symptoms. Here are the main benefits that 5HTP has to offer.
May Treat Depression
According to a study, 5HTP has a pronounced antidepressant impact because 73% of patients reported improved symptoms within two months [4].
Enhances Sleep Quality
5HTP helps to create serotonin, which can then be converted to melatonin. Most people with insomnia use melatonin to improve their sleep [5].
Relieves Migraine Discomfort
Research has shown that 5HTP is nearly as effective at reducing migraine pain as a medication [6].
Ashwagandha and 5HTP – Interactions With Other Medications
Although caution is advisable, Ashwagandha generally does not have significant interactions with most medications. Additionally, some medications, such as sedatives, immunosuppressants, diabetes, and high blood pressure medications, can have mildly adverse interactions with Ashwagandha.
With certain medications, 5HTP can have mild interactions. Since 5HTP already improves serotonin production and too much serotonin in the brain can have major negative effects, it is not advisable to use it with medications that have sedative effects. Therefore, take precautions in taking 5HTP together with medications such as antidepressants and the like that can increase serotonin production.
Can I take Ashwagandha and 5HTP Together?
Although Ashwagandha and 5HTP have not yet been found to interact, this does not rule out the possibility of interactions when mixing them. Some users may reportedly take Ashwagandha and 5 HTP together, but there isn’t enough current evidence to back up whether it is safe to mix them.
Therefore, if you want to take Ashwagandha and 5HTP together, it is best first to consult your healthcare professional and keep a close eye out for any negative side effects.
Ashwagandha and 5HTP Dosage
Since there is no established dosage for Ashwagandha, suggestions range from 250 mg to 5 g daily. The ideal dosage will mostly rely on your health goals, although studies have shown that an established dose of 600 mg is very beneficial [7].
Similar to Ashwagandha, the recommended daily dose of 5HTP can range from 100 to 800mg. Although high doses of 5 HTP might be harmful, it has been discovered that doses as little as 100mg daily can be effective when combined with a medication like carbidopa, which is prescribed for people with Parkinson-like symptoms.
Bottomline: Combining Ashwagandha and 5HTP
Ashwagandha and 5HTP offer promising health benefits in treating mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Furthermore, taking these supplements separately can provide relief for certain health conditions.
However, it is still important to use caution in case you want to mix Ashwagandha and 5 HTP to see any side effects as it may vary from person to person. More studies are still needed as there are not enough studies proving their efficacy and safety when mixed.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S. A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian J Psychol Med. 2012 Jul;34(3):255-62. doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.106022. PMID: 23439798; PMCID: PMC3573577.
- Ahmad MK, Mahdi AA, Shukla KK, Islam N, Rajender S, Madhukar D, Shankhwar SN, Ahmad S. Withania somnifera improves semen quality by regulating reproductive hormone levels and oxidative stress in seminal plasma of infertile males. Fertil Steril. 2010 Aug;94(3):989-96. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.04.046. Epub 2009 Jun 6. PMID: 19501822.
- Wankhede S, Langade D, Joshi K, Sinha SR, Bhattacharyya S. Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015 Nov 25;12:43. doi: 10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9. PMID: 26609282; PMCID: PMC4658772.
- Jangid P, Malik P, Singh P, Sharma M, Gulia AK. Comparative study of efficacy of l-5-hydroxytryptophan and fluoxetine in patients presenting with first depressive episode. Asian J Psychiatr. 2013 Feb;6(1):29-34. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2012.05.011. Epub 2012 Jul 12. PMID: 23380314.
- Shell W, Bullias D, Charuvastra E, May LA, Silver DS. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of an amino acid preparation on timing and quality of sleep. Am J Ther. 2010 Mar-Apr;17(2):133-9. doi: 10.1097/MJT.0b013e31819e9eab. PMID: 19417589.
- Titus F, Dávalos A, Alom J, Codina A. 5-Hydroxytryptophan versus methysergide in the prophylaxis of migraine. Randomized clinical trial. Eur Neurol. 1986;25(5):327-9. doi: 10.1159/000116030. PMID: 3536521.
- Jaysing Salve, Sucheta Pate, Khokan Debnath, Deepak Langade. (2019, December 25). Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Cureus. https://www.cureus.com/articles/25730
