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Top 5 Ashwagandha Supplements To Help Manage Stress And Improve Focus
Learn how Ashwagandha can help keep your stress & cortisol levels in check, restore calm & focus, promote mental clarity, and more.
Advertiser Disclosure
According to the latest Stress in America™ survery from the American Psychological Association (APA), roughly 84% of US adults experience emotions related to prolonged stress.1 That number is up from recent years, thanks in large part to the pandemic.
And while some stress is normal, persistent and high levels of stress can lead to weight fluctuations, hypertension, higher cortisol levels, and reduced cognition.2 As Americans become increasingly aware of the hazards of stress, many have also begun to take a more holistic approach to their physical and mental well-being, including the use of herbal supplements and adaptogens like ashwagandha.
Ashwagandha, a revered herb in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, has been used for centuries to relieve stress, enhance focus, lower cortisol levels, and support restful sleep. As its popularity grows in the West, the market has become flooded with both high- and low-quality supplements—making it tough to separate the genuine from the gimmicky. To help, we created a simple, stress-free guide covering what to look for in a high-quality ashwagandha supplement, what to avoid, and our Top 5 favorite picks.
Ashwagandha FAQ
How does Ashwagandha work?
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, a class of plant-based remedies that helps the body adapt to stress by allowing us to maintain resilience during stressful situations.
Why take Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha has long been used to support mood, stress relief, relaxation, and mental clarity and today, its popularity is rising for mood and focus benefits. In a double-blind study in Sleep Medicine, 72% of participants saw improved sleep and a notable boost in quality of life.³ Another study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Medicine found it supports muscle strength and reduces muscle strain.⁴
How does Ashwagandha help cortisol levels?
Ashwagandha helps lower cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, by supporting a calmer mood and better stress resilience.
The Focus-Promoting Dream Team
Ashwagandha is certainly unique in its ability to manage stress—but it's not alone. Among the many so-called stress reducers, L-theanine rises to the top. This amino acid is shown to ease stress while promoting calm, focused energy.
Even better? L-theanine works synergistically with ashwagandha. We recommend finding a supplement that includes both. But before you buy, it's important to know which types and how much of each to look for in an effective supplement.
Look For The Following Quality Ingredients:
Clinically Studied Ashwagandha
Manufacturing ashwagandha is a challenging process. Common extraction methods often result in diluted, and even ineffective, end products. For best results, we recommend opting for clinically studied ashwagandha like KSM-66®.
KSM-66® ashwagandha uses cutting-edge extraction methods to maintain potency and a natural proportion of active constituents. They're also backed by numerous blind studies and their findings suggest clinically effective doses start at 600 mg.
L-theanine
L-theanine is a powerful amino acid that helps promote both focus and relaxation. It's commonly used as a coffee additive to prevent 'caffeine jitters' and overstimulation, and works hand-in-hand with ashwagandha to promote a calm, clear mind. For best results, look for a supplement with at least 100 mg of L-theanine.
What To Avoid:
Hydrogenated Oils
Hydrogenated oils are used to preserve foodstuffs and are often found in low-grade supplements. They are high in trans fats, which can adversely affect cholesterol levels and lead to increased risk of heart disease.
With these guidelines in mind, we scoured the market for the best of the best ashwagandha supplements.
Top 5 Ashwagandha Supplements
We tested 42 different supplements, and based on our 5 Pillars of Excellence: ingredient safety, projective effectiveness, value, return policy, and customer satisfaction, we narrowed them down to the top 5. Let's do this...
1. ZenWell®
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Total Ranking
9.7/10
A+
Overall Grade
PROS
- Clinically studied ashwagandha
- L-theanine
- Non-GMO
- Vegetarian
- GMP compliant
- 365-day return policy
CONS
- Sold exclusively online
The Bottom Line
We chose ZenWell from Live Conscious because it's the only ashwagandha supplement that checks all the boxes in our list of criteria.
ZenWell uses KSM-66® ashwagandha, the gold standard in high-quality, high-potency ashwagandha, at a clinically studied, 600 mg dose.
Each serving also contains 200 mg of clinically studied AlphaWave® L-theanine and 20 mg of black pepper extract to aid in absorption.
To top things off, Live Conscious offers a generous, 365-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.
*Results are based on users' personal experiences collected on this page and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using these products. Please see product website for more information.
Learn More2. Plant Powered Chill
Total Ranking
9.2/10
A-
Overall Grade
PROS
- Botanical stress blend
- Gluten-free
- Vegetarian
- Non-GMO formula
- GMP compliant
CONS
- Not clinically studied
- Lacks L-theanine
- 30-day return policy
The Bottom Line
Taking second place is Plant Powered Chill by Olly. There is a lot to like about this product, including its blend of ashwagandha, with calming botanicals like rhodiola rosea and schisandra - both of which promote relaxation.
While the formula shows promise, Olly's decision not to use clinically studied ashwagandha or l-theanine raises questions about potency. However, the addition of targeted botanicals may help pick up the slack for stress support.
For those seeking a botanical approach to stress management, Plant Powered Chill is still a solid choice. But shoppers should note Olly only offers a 30-day return policy.
*Results are based on users' personal experiences collected on this page and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using these products. Please see product website for more information.
Learn More3. Ashwagandha Gummies
Total Ranking
8.8/10
B+
Overall Grade
PROS
- Clinically studied ashwagandha
- Non-GMO
- Gluten & gelatin free
- Vegan
- Vitamin D
CONS
- Low dose
- Lacks L-theanine
- 30-day return policy
The Bottom Line
Thanks to the popularity of their ACV gummies, Goli seems poised to parlay their success into a wider selection of gummy offerings, starting with ashwagandha.
Like our top pick, Goli's Ashwagandha Gummies are made with clinically studied KSM-66® ashwagandha. However, each serving contains just 300 mg—half the clinically studied dose. To get an effective dose of ashwagandha, you'd have to consume twice the serving size, or 4 gummies/day.
Each serving also contains 7 g of carbs and 4 g of sugar, which are not staggering amounts, but something to consider if you're on a low-sugar or keto diet.
Finally, each serving also contains 25 mcg of vitamin D, which seems like it was added to make the formula unique (but no harm no foul?). If you're not satisfied with this product, you should act quickly, as Goli offers a brief, 30-day return policy.
*Results are based on users' personal experiences collected on this page and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using these products. Please see product website for more information.
Learn More4. Organic Ashwagandha Root Powder
Total Ranking
8.4/10
B
Overall Grade
PROS
- Certified organic
- Potent 1200 mg of ashwagandha per serving
CONS
- Does not use clinically studied ashwagandha
- Lacks L-theanine
- Unspecified return policy
The Bottom Line
Nutraherbal's ashwagandha is both organically grown and free of gluten, soy, and GMOs. While it contains a potent dose of ashwagandha, unfortunately, it does not use a clinically studied version. Additionally, it lacks L-theanine.
On the plus side, it contains black pepper extract to better help with absorption. They don't use any binders and reviewers reported positive benefits after use, however their return policy is unspecified.
*Results are based on users' personal experiences collected on this page and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using these products. Please see product website for more information.
Learn More5. Ashwagandha
Total Ranking
8.0/10
B-
Overall Grade
PROS
- Low price
- Positive customer reviews
- Non-GMO
- Third-party tested
CONS
- Does not use clinically studied ashwagandha
- Lacks L-theanine
- Only 60-day return policy
The Bottom Line
Havasu Nutrition's rounds out our list with their ashwagandha supplement. Reviewers raved about the low price and that it contains no preservatives, chemicals, or sugars.
However, this product does not use a clinically studied form of ashwagandha and it also lacks L-theanine. They also boast a unique artichoke extract to help with both absorption and digestion.
*Results are based on users' personal experiences collected on this page and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using these products. Please see product website for more information.
Learn MoreDisclaimer:
Smarter Reviews is owned and operated by the same company that owns certain products featured on this website, including the products ranked number one.
In addition, we receive compensation from certain companies whose products are featured on this website when you purchase a product using the links on this website.
Go back to pageOur Main Sources
Sources used for research purposes. Smarter-Reviews.com are not officially affiliated with these sites.
What You Will Learn:
Estimated Read Time 5 Minutes
CITATIONS
- https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress?tab=1
- https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2021/sia-pandemic-report.pdf
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945720301246
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4658772/
- https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajtcam/article/view/67963
- http://anaturalhealingcenter.com/documents/Thorne/articles/Ashwagandha.pdf
- https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/953.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1560227/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6836118/