Ashwagandha vs Shilajit for energy
Short answer: For energy, more users report improvement with Shilajit — 94% of 67 reports, versus 53% of 125 for Ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha has 48 meta-analyses and 59 randomized trials on PubMed; Shilajit has 1 and 7.
Based on 2,447 reports about Ashwagandha and 427 about Shilajit. Not medical advice.
| Ashwagandha Supplement | Shilajit Supplement | |
|---|---|---|
| Users say it helped | 44%helped1,321 reports · high confidence | 61%helped154 reports · high confidence |
| Verdict | Mixed | Mostly positive |
| Research | AResearch: Strong | BResearch: Moderate |
| Meta-analyses / RCTs | 48 / 59 | 1 / 7 |
| Mainly used for | ||
| Anxiety % reporting improvement | 88% (881) | 84% (19) |
| Mood % reporting improvement | 53% (446) | 93% (28) |
| Sleep % reporting improvement | 77% (233) | 89% (9) |
| Energy % reporting improvement | 53% (125) | 94% (67) |
| Libido % reporting improvement | 62% (127) | 87% (45) |
| Common side effects | anhedonia, drowsiness, fatigue, depression | irritability, anxiety, drowsiness, insomnia |
| Typical dose reported | 800-1600 mg / after dinner | 400-600 mg / daily with food |
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 ↗“I paired it with maca and ashwaganda and it legit felt like a steroid cycle.”
The exceptions were β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate and betaine, which can be considered effective for male athletes. Eurycoma longifolia, a blend of Punica granatum fruit rind and Theobroma cacao seed extracts (Tesnor™) and purified Shilajit extract (PrimaVie™) can be considered possibly effective for men with late-onset hypogonadism; Eurycoma longifolia and Withania somnifera possibly effective for healthy men; and a non-hormonal aromatase inhibitor (Novadex XT™) possibly effective for male athletes.
Int J Impot Res, 2024 ↗“Shilajit actually did wonders for me, I'm chronically ill so energy levels and mental clarity were in the dumps and it's the first thing I've tried that boosts a noticeable amount.”
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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