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Top 5 Ashwagandha Supplements To Help Manage Stress And Improve Focus
Learn how Ashwagandha can help keep your stress levels in check, restore calm & focus, promote mental clarity, and more.
According to the latest Stress in America™ survey 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, 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.
A staple of Indian ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha has been used for centuries to help relieve stress, restore calm and focus, and promote better sleep. Its growing popularity in the West has lead to an influx of ashwagandha supplements. While that's good news for consumers eager for the ancient root, it also opens the door for shady companies to throw their low-grade products into the mix.
Needless to say, sussing out the good products from the bad can be... stressful. That's why we put together a quick and easy guide to show you what to look for in a high-quality ashwagandha supplement.
ASHWAGANDHA FAQ
How does Ashwagandha work?
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, a class of plant-based remedies that help our bodies resist—or 'adapt'—to physical and chemical stressors in our environment.
Research suggests the secret to their power lies in their ability to 'hack' the body's stress-protection response, allowing us to maintain resilience during stressful situations.
Why take Ashwagandha?
Used for centuries to promote positive mood, relieve stress, support relaxation, and mental clarity, ashwagandha sales have skyrocketed lately for general mood support and focus.
In a double-blind, randomized study on ashwagandha from Sleep Medicine, 72% of participants noticed a difference in sleep quality, and a significant increase in quality of life.3
Another study from the Journal of the International Society of Sports Medicine showed that ashwagandha helped support muscle strength as well as reduce strain on muscles.4
The Focus-Promoting Dream Team
Ashwagandha is certainly unique in its ability to manage stress—but it's not alone. Over the years, several so-called 'nutraceuticals' have emerged claiming to reduce stress. The truth is, some are effective, while others are complete duds.
However, there is one standout ingredient with a proven track record: L-theanine. This potent amino acid is derived from green tea and has been shown to help reduce subjective stress levels. People who take L-theanine also claim that it gives them a sense of calm, and clear focus.
For these reasons, and because it works synergistically with ashwagandha, we recommend finding a supplement that includes both. But before you pony up to any old product, 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.
Relying on Amazon reviews
60% of reviews are written by folks paid to leave positive feedback. Risking your health with reviews that are false is too dangerous a game to play when choosing a supplement.
With these guidelines in mind, we scoured the market for the best of the best ashwagandha supplements.
2025’s Must-Have Ashwagandha Supplements
What We Like:
Room To Improve:
Final Thoughts
Product Specs
What We Like:
Room To Improve:
Final Thoughts
Product Specs
What We Like:
Room To Improve:
Final Thoughts
Product Specs
What We Like:
Room To Improve:
Final Thoughts
Product Specs
What We Like:
Room To Improve:
Final Thoughts
Product Specs
How We Choose Products
Like you, we’re picky about products — and serious about quality.
Whether we’re featuring an award-winning product from one of our five beauty and wellness brands — or somebody else’s — a Brilliant recommendation doesn’t see the light of day until it has been medically reviewed by our Fact Checkers for accuracy and has fulfilled our Brilliant Criteria.
At Brilliant, although we often feature products that we sell, we’re not afraid to highlight and celebrate other brands who are doing things right.
Brilliant Criteria
We take great care in handpicking high-quality products to feature on Brilliant. Here’s how we choose them:
- High-Quality Ingredients: We dig deep into the latest research and look for products that contain comprehensive ingredients for optimal impact.
- Pure, Holistic Formulas: We prioritize products that contain clean, wholesome ingredients. A product should only contain what it needs and nothing else—period.
- Brand Credibility: Each product on our list is produced by a company with trusted credibility. We've also verified that each brand adheres to labeling requirements set forth under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
- Value: We evaluate products based on industry averages and price per serving or application. We also consider quantity and return policy.
Why Trust Us?
As veteran leaders in the wellness space with an award-winning brand portfolio of 100+ health and beauty products, we are committed to honesty and transparency, providing thoughtful insights into the benefits and limitations of the information and products we evaluate — including our own. Every Brilliant Buying Guide is thoroughly vetted for medical accuracy by our Fact Checkers prior to publication.
With our discerning selection process, you can feel confident that the products we recommend meet the highest benchmarks of quality, transparency, and efficacy. If we wouldn’t use a product ourselves, it’s not Brilliant.
Citations
- Deshpande, Abhijit, et al. “A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Study to Evaluate the Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) Extract on Sleep Quality in Healthy Adults.” Sleep Medicine, vol. 72, Mar. 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2020.03.012 .
- Hadany, Lilach, et al. “Why Is Stress so Deadly? An Evolutionary Perspective.” Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, vol. 273, no. 1588, 7 Apr. 2006, pp. 881–885, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1560227/, https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2005.3384.Medline Plus. “Ashwagandha: MedlinePlus Supplements.” Medlineplus.gov, Sept. 2019, medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/953.html .
- Hidese, Shinsuke, et al. “Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Nutrients, vol. 11, no. 10, 3 Oct. 2019, p. 2362, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6836118/, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102362.
- Mishra, Lakshmi-Chandra, et al. Scientific Basis for the Therapeutic Use of Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha): A Review.
- Singh, N, et al. “An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda.” African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, vol. 8, no. 5S, 15 July 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3252722/, https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5s.9 .
- “Stress in America.” Apa.org, May 2020, www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress?tab=1 .
- “Stress in America - One Year Later, a New Wave of Pandemic Health Concerns.” Apa.org, 2021, http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2021/sia-pandemic-report.pdf .
- Wankhede, Sachin, et al. “Examining the Effect of Withania Somnifera Supplementation on Muscle Strength and Recovery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 12, no. 1, 2015, p. 43, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26609282, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9 .
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