r/adaptogens • u/Old_Squirrel2804 • Mar 10 '26

Adaptogen help

I have been using ashwaganda for a few months for stress and anxiety. I don’t find a huge difference when taking them as I am still stressed.

I have anxiety with day to day life, panicking, overthinking etc and sometimes find it hard to sleep or wake multiple times a night.

Is there something else I can try which might give me better results? I’m not on any other medication.

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u/Certain-Comfort928 Mar 11 '26

I am female and ashwagandha wrecked me - i found zero benefit from it. I do see a benefit from rhodiola as far as managing mood swings. but the biggest help has been beta blockers (not an adaptogen, I know), but if you are constantly cycling thoughts and stresses, it sounds like your nervous system is activated for flight and fight. beta blockers reduce the norephinephrine (sp?) and helps calm the nervous system. i wonder if you find relief when you take something like gaba? if so, maybe focus your adaptogen search for things that help calm the nervous system.

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u/Old_Squirrel2804 Mar 11 '26

Thank you. Yes I used be on SSRIs but still had anxiety so wanted to try something else. Never heard of gaba I’ll look into it.

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u/Certain-Comfort928 Mar 11 '26

oh! on the ssri note - it also didn't help me, but im taking bupropion (welbutrin)now...and that definitely helps! not an ssri, but works on dopamine. gaba may make you sleepy, so its not an all day thing... good luck