Ashwagandha vs Meditation for anxiety
Short answer: For anxiety, more users report improvement with Meditation — 94% of 109 reports, versus 86% of 606 for Ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha has 48 meta-analyses and 59 randomized trials on PubMed; the other has not been graded.
Based on 1,807 reports about Ashwagandha and 458 about Meditation. Not medical advice.
| Ashwagandha Supplement | Meditation Method | |
|---|---|---|
| User score | 50 | 45 |
| Verdict | Mixed | Mostly positive |
| Positive of reports that state an outcome | 43% | 88% |
| Reports | 1,807 | 458 |
| Research | AResearch: Strong | Research pending |
| Meta-analyses / RCTs | 48 / 59 | — |
| Mainly used for | ||
| Weight loss % reporting improvement | 100% (3) | — |
| Appetite % reporting improvement | 50% (2) | — |
| Focus % reporting improvement | 62% (56) | 97% (63) |
| Energy % reporting improvement | 51% (99) | 100% (5) |
| Sleep % reporting improvement | 75% (184) | 92% (25) |
| Anxiety % reporting improvement | 86% (606) | 94% (109) |
| Mood % reporting improvement | 47% (349) | 96% (70) |
| Memory % reporting improvement | 67% (6) | 100% (5) |
| Performance % reporting improvement | 88% (24) | — |
| Recovery % reporting improvement | 100% (3) | — |
| Pain & inflammation % reporting improvement | 83% (6) | 100% (3) |
| Digestion % reporting improvement | 40% (5) | — |
| Libido % reporting improvement | 59% (107) | — |
| Hormones % reporting improvement | 72% (67) | 100% (5) |
| Blood sugar % reporting improvement | 50% (2) | — |
| Heart & lipids % reporting improvement | 50% (6) | — |
| Skin & hair % reporting improvement | 50% (4) | — |
| Immunity % reporting improvement | 50% (2) | 100% (3) |
| Common side effects | anhedonia, drowsiness, anxiety, irritability | None reported |
| Typical dose reported | daily (past) | daily |
AshwagandhaFull Ashwagandha profile →
Latest review conclusion
The current systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of RCTs revealed a beneficial effect in both stress and anxiety following Ashwagandha supplementation. However, further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of the plant.
Phytother Res, 2022 ↗What a user said
“I paired it with maca and ashwaganda and it legit felt like a steroid cycle.”
MeditationFull Meditation profile →
What a user said
“And my sleep? No more nightmares. I began sleeping soundly. I feel more rested from sleep than I have in decades.”
Related comparisons
Percentages come from first-hand user reports and are not clinical outcomes. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. How we rate