Research Gist
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial studied KSM-66 ashwagandha root extract in 60 adults with diagnosed sleep difficulty and anxiety symptoms, conducted at a hospital in Maharashtra, India. Participants were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to take either 300 mg of the extract or an identical placebo twice daily with milk or water for 10 weeks. Sleep was measured objectively with actigraphy — a wrist-worn device that records sleep patterns — alongside standard questionnaires for sleep quality and anxiety. Compared with placebo, the ashwagandha group fell asleep faster, spent more of their time in bed actually sleeping, and reported better overall sleep quality. Anxiety scores also improved. The extract was well tolerated throughout the study.
Key Learnings
- Participants taking ashwagandha fell asleep faster than those on placebo.
- Sleep efficiency and overall sleep quality both improved.
- Sleep was measured objectively with actigraphy, not only by self-report.
- Anxiety scores improved, and the extract was well tolerated over 10 weeks.
- The study was single-centre with 60 participants, using 600 mg of extract per day — larger trials would strengthen the findings.