Ashwagandha ingestion is temporally associated with acute neurotoxicity including prolonged sleep, abnormal sleep behaviors, acute confusion, and retrograde amnesia.
A 40-year-old man developed prolonged sleep, abnormal sleep behaviors, acute confusion, and retrograde amnesia after ingesting ashwagandha. Comprehensive evaluation excluded other causes, and symptoms resolved completely upon discontinuation and supportive care.
Evidence Score
Study Evidence
Study 1. Parasomnia, Acute Confusion, and Transient Amnesia Temporally Associated With Ashwagandha Ingestion.
observationalAnuththara T, Amin SS, Sebastiampillai B · Cureus (2025)
Result:
Mechanism Graph
Limitations
- ⚠Single case report, not generalizable to broader population
- ⚠No control group or blinding; causality cannot be definitively established
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ashwagandha?▼
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogenic herbal supplement commonly used for stress reduction and wellness.
What adverse effects were reported in this case?▼
The patient experienced prolonged sleep, abnormal sleep behaviors, acute confusion, and retrograde amnesia.
Did the symptoms resolve?▼
Yes, complete symptom resolution occurred after discontinuing ashwagandha and providing supportive management.
What is the proposed mechanism for these effects?▼
The effects may be due to GABAergic modulation by withanolides, with individual differences in metabolism increasing susceptibility.
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References
- 1.Anuththara T, Amin SS, Sebastiampillai B. "Parasomnia, Acute Confusion, and Transient Amnesia Temporally Associated With Ashwagandha Ingestion.." Cureus, 2025. PMID: 41322767 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.95438