Day: January 29, 2024

Last updated: September 2026. The short answer Yes. For most healthy adults, CBD and ashwagandha can be taken together. There is no known direct interaction between the two, and many people use them side by side for stress and sleep. No clinical trial has tested the pair as a combination yet, so start low with each, add one at a time, and give it a few weeks. Check with your doctor or pharmacist first if you take regular medication, have a thyroid or liver condition, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Below we cover what each one is, what the research says, how people take them together, how much to take, and who should be careful. What is CBD? CBD (cannabidiol) is a natural compound from the hemp plant. It does not cause a “high”. It works with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors involved in keeping the body in balance, including around mood, rest and stress. Most people take CBD as an oil under the tongue. Our 10% CBD oil gives 5mg per drop and is where most first-time customers start. People who already use CBD often move up to the 20% CBD oil. What is ashwagandha? Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a small shrub whose root has been used in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, for over 3,000 years. It is sometimes called “Indian ginseng” or “winter cherry”. It is known as an adaptogen: a plant traditionally used to help the body cope with everyday stress. Its main active compounds are called withanolides. Today ashwagandha is one of the most popular herbal supplements in Ireland and the UK, sold as capsules, powders, gummies and liquid drops like our Ashwagandha Drops 1500mg. Why do people take CBD and ashwagandha together? The two work in different ways, which is why people like to pair them. CBD acts on the endocannabinoid system and is usually felt within an hour or so. Ashwagandha is thought to act more on the body’s stress-hormone system (the HPA axis, which controls cortisol) and tends to build up over several weeks of daily use. So people often use ashwagandha as a steady daily base and CBD for the moments when they want to switch off, such as the evening. The most common reasons our customers give for combining them are: What does the research say? It helps to be honest here. There are good studies on ashwagandha and a growing number on CBD, but no study has yet tested the two together. Here is what the separate research shows. Ashwagandha and stress In a 2012 trial, 64 adults with long-term stress took 300mg of ashwagandha root extract twice a day or a placebo for 60 days. The ashwagandha group reported lower stress scores and had around 28% lower cortisol levels by the end (Chandrasekhar et al., 2012). A 2019 trial of 60 healthy adults found similar results at 250mg and 600mg a day over 8 weeks (Salve et al., 2019). Ashwagandha and sleep A 2021 review pooled five controlled trials with around 400 people. It found a small but real improvement in overall sleep, with the clearest results in people who already had trouble sleeping, at doses of 600mg a day or more taken for at least 8 weeks (Cheah et al., 2021). CBD and anxiety and sleep In a 2019 study, 57 healthy men were given CBD or a placebo before a public-speaking test. Those given 300mg of CBD reported less anxiety during the talk, while lower and higher doses did not show the same effect (Linares et al., 2019). A 2019 case series of 72 adults using CBD found that anxiety scores fell in most people within the first month, while sleep scores improved in about two thirds, though they changed over time (Shannon et al., 2019). What this means for the combination Because CBD and ashwagandha appear to work on different systems, many people see them as complementary. That is a reasonable idea, but it has not been proven in a trial. The fair way to put it is: each has some promising research on its own, and the two are generally considered safe to use together for healthy adults. How to take CBD and ashwagandha together There are three common ways people build the two into their day: Whatever you choose, keep it consistent. Ashwagandha in particular works best taken daily for several weeks rather than now and then. Add one at a time If you are new to both, start with one for a week or two, then add the other. That way, if you notice anything you do not like, you know which one caused it. How much should you take? CBD Most people start with around 25mg of CBD a day (5 drops of our 10% oil) and adjust slowly over one to two weeks. Our CBD dosing guide explains how to find the right amount for you. Ashwagandha Most studies have used between 250mg and 600mg of ashwagandha root extract a day, usually for 8 weeks or longer. Always follow the dose on the label of the product you buy, as strength varies a lot between brands and forms. When combining the two, start at the lower end of each and only increase one at a time. Who should be careful? CBD and ashwagandha are well tolerated by most healthy adults, but they are not for everyone. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before combining them if any of the following apply to you: Food safety agencies in some European countries, including Denmark and France, have raised concerns about ashwagandha supplements, particularly for pregnant women and people with thyroid or liver conditions. This is another reason to buy from a trusted supplier and to talk to a professional if you are unsure. Possible side effects Side effects are usually mild. With ashwagandha, the most common are an upset stomach, loose stools and drowsiness. With CBD, people sometimes notice tiredness, a dry mouth or changes in appetite.