Mild effects. Serving size is a bit off ... taste is great.
If you are a fan of neurotropics for relaxation and mental clarity, Ashgawandha is probably something you often buy. The odd thing about this root-based substance is how varied supplements can be in terms of serving size. Most of the research I've done shows 500 mg - 1500 mg of Ashgawandha EXTRACT (which I assume gummy versions are, based on the label) is the recommended serving size. That makes the paltry 25g single gummy serving size here questionable. However many Ashgawandha gummies contain 15:1 extract ... whereas this contains a 30:1 extract. I am not exactly sure how different the effects are but 30:1 is described as a 'high potency' formula in many places.<br /><br />How does this make me feel? The effects are light and mild compared to some of the other forms I've used. As someone who is extremely sensitive to caffeine (a single cup of DECAFFEINATED coffee will give me a headache the next day ... even though decaf only have a slight amount of caffeine) ... I have found that taking ground root directly will often also leave me with migraine style headaches. Gummies seem to not give me headaches from withdrawal, like the powdered root does. However, they also don't give me that warm, fuzzy calm that the more direct powders do.<br /><br />Even when I take 3 of these at a time, I only get a slight sense of relaxation and fall asleep a bit faster. It's a nice feeling but not the same as the root powder, which at first feels like a warm hug. Seriously, Asgawandha feels almost like wearing sweater made out of cashmere and hugs. It's a calm, tranquil sense of relaxation ... much different than that of pot. There is also a clarity and crisp mindedness which comes with Ashgawandha. You can study on Ashgawandah or take it before a presentation or stressful workday to relax.<br /><br />While these gummies don't make you quite as floaty and calm ... they do have a mild effect. The biggest benefits of Ashgawandha are calm, relaxation, a more relaxing sleep, a sense of security and a clearer mind and thoughts. Thousands of years of Ayuvederic medicine have used Ashgawandha for these purposes. Many ads for these gummies claim benefits like lower blood pressure, diabetic help, anti-carcinogenic properties, etc. ... I have done a lot of scientific research and can tell you that none of these things can be proven or even somewhat substantiated. Buy this for relaxation and clarity ... not as some miracle drug. I use only scenientific research sites like pubmed and not anecdotal reporting.<br /><br />As for the taste ... these are the best tasting Ashgwandha anything I've tasted. There is very little, if any, gross taste ... they taste like a grape version of the movie theater candy called 'Dots'. The name Ashgawandha gets its Indian translation of 'horse strength' but some say 'horse sweat' is a more literal translation. The root smells and tastes like an old saddle blanket. To be able to make a gummy that tastes this good makes me wonder how much root is in there. I have has Sshgawandha gummies that taste like chewing on a sweat sock. I can't imagine how they made these taste like grape candy. Luckily they come in a bottle with a childproof cap.<br /><br />Overall, these will produce mild results ... but they are easier than taking a root powder drink. I might look at a more powerful form of Ashgawandha if I really wanted to relax ... but if you just want to take the edge off, these will do the trick and they aren't as expensive.
