Last updated: October 2026
Yes, most healthy adults can safely take CBD and ashwagandha together. There are no known direct interactions between them, but no studies have tested the combination either. Both can make you drowsy and both can interact with some medicines, so start low, and avoid ashwagandha if you’re pregnant or have a thyroid, liver or autoimmune condition.
This guide explains what each one does, what the research says, how to take them together, and who should avoid the combination.
Can you take CBD and ashwagandha together?
For most healthy adults, yes. They work in different ways: CBD acts on the endocannabinoid system, while ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb studied mainly for stress, cortisol and sleep. No harmful interaction between the two has been reported.
Two cautions. First, both can cause drowsiness, so the effect may add up, especially at higher doses or in the evening. Second, both can interact with prescription medicines. If you take any regular medication, check with your GP or pharmacist first.
CBD vs ashwagandha at a glance
| CBD | Ashwagandha | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A non-intoxicating compound from hemp | The root of Withania somnifera, an Ayurvedic herb |
| Main research areas | Anxiety in short-term tests, sleep (early) | Stress, cortisol, sleep, anxiety |
| Strength of human evidence | Small trials, mostly at high doses | Several controlled trials and meta-analyses |
| Typical amounts | Start around 10mg a day | Trials often use 240 to 600mg of root extract a day |
| How quickly | Within an hour; steadier over weeks | Builds over 4 to 8 weeks |
| Avoid if | Pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18; check medicines | Pregnant, breastfeeding; thyroid, liver or autoimmune conditions; check medicines |
What the research says about ashwagandha
| Study | What it found |
|---|---|
| Chandrasekhar, 2012 (64 stressed adults, 60 days) | Lower stress scores and significantly lower cortisol than placebo |
| Langade, 2019 (60 adults with insomnia, 10 weeks, 300mg twice a day) | Fell asleep faster and had better sleep efficiency and quality than placebo; anxiety scores also improved |
| Cheah, 2021 (review of 5 trials, 400 people) | A small but significant improvement in overall sleep, stronger at 600mg a day or more and over 8 weeks or longer |
| Akhgarjand, 2022 (review of trials, about 1,000 people) | Significant reductions in anxiety and stress compared with placebo |
Most trials are small and many were run in India with specific branded extracts, so results may not apply to every product. Read more: ashwagandha side effects and ashwagandha vs magnesium.
What the research says about CBD
CBD’s strongest results come from short-term controlled studies, where single doses of 300 to 600mg reduced anxiety during public speaking tests. That’s much more than a typical supplement. In a 2019 US case series of 72 adults taking mostly 25mg a day, anxiety scores fell in about four in five people in the first month and sleep improved in about two in three, but there was no placebo group. Read the full picture in CBD for anxiety: what the research shows and CBD for sleep.
Why people combine them
The idea is that they cover different bases. Ashwagandha has the better evidence for longer-term stress and cortisol, and builds over weeks. CBD is felt within an hour and many people use it to take the edge off a busy day. Together, they’re a popular part of daytime stress routines.
That’s the theory. No study has yet tested CBD and ashwagandha together, so any extra benefit from combining them is unproven. Some people simply prefer one product to two.
Our Flow CBD Oil combines broad spectrum CBD with ashwagandha and maca root, plus a citrus terpene blend, in one daily oil.
How to take CBD and ashwagandha together
- Start one at a time if you’re new to both, so you know how each affects you. Or start with a combined oil at the lowest dose.
- Pick your time of day. For daytime stress, take them in the morning or at lunch. If either makes you drowsy, switch to the evening.
- Be consistent. Ashwagandha’s effects build over 4 to 8 weeks of daily use.
- Start low with CBD, around 10mg a day, and increase slowly if needed. The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication.
- Take breaks from ashwagandha. Many people cycle it, for example 8 to 12 weeks on, then a few weeks off.
See CBD dosage and when to take CBD oil. Many people use Flow by day and our Sleep CBD Oil or Magnesium Sleep Complex in the evening.
Side effects and who should avoid them
Possible side effects of either include drowsiness, an upset stomach, diarrhoea and changes in appetite. Rarely, ashwagandha has been linked to liver injury and thyroid changes.
Avoid the combination, or speak to your GP first, if you:
- are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding (see ashwagandha and breastfeeding)
- have a thyroid condition or take thyroid medication
- have liver disease, or an autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or MS
- take sedatives, sleeping tablets, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines
- take blood thinners, immunosuppressants, or medicines for diabetes or blood pressure
- take any medicine with a grapefruit warning (see the grapefruit warning)
- have surgery planned within two weeks
Stop and see a doctor if you notice yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine or unusual tiredness.
Ashwagandha rules in the UK
Ashwagandha is legal to sell as a food supplement in the UK. The Food Standards Agency has asked the UK’s Committee on Toxicity to review its safety, citing concerns about the thyroid, blood sugar and the liver, and no decision has been published yet. Denmark banned ashwagandha in supplements in 2023, though most countries still allow it. We follow the review closely and will update this page when it reports.
FAQs
Is it safe to take CBD and ashwagandha together?
For most healthy adults, yes. No direct interaction has been reported, but both can cause drowsiness and interact with medicines. Check with a pharmacist if you take any regular medication.
Is CBD or ashwagandha better for stress?
Ashwagandha has more controlled trials for everyday stress and cortisol. CBD’s evidence comes mainly from short-term anxiety tests at high doses. Some people use both.
Will CBD and ashwagandha make me sleepy?
They can, especially together or at higher doses. If you feel drowsy, take them in the evening and don’t drive until you know how they affect you.
When should I take CBD and ashwagandha?
For daytime stress, morning or lunchtime works for most people. For sleep, try the evening. Take them at the same time each day.
How long do CBD and ashwagandha take to work?
CBD is usually felt within an hour, with steadier effects over a few weeks. Ashwagandha builds over 4 to 8 weeks of daily use.
Are CBD and ashwagandha gummies any good?
They can be convenient, but check the amount of each ingredient, the lab report and that the CBD is on the FSA public list. Gummies often contain small doses and added sugar.
Who should not take ashwagandha?
Avoid it if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, have a thyroid, liver or autoimmune condition, have surgery planned, or take medicines such as sedatives or thyroid medication without checking first.
Does Evopure sell a CBD and ashwagandha oil?
Yes. Flow CBD Oil combines broad spectrum CBD with ashwagandha and maca root, with 0% THC.
Sources
- Chandrasekhar K et al (2012). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine.
- Langade D et al (2019). Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in insomnia and anxiety. Cureus.
- Cheah KL et al (2021). Effect of ashwagandha extract on sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One.
- Akhgarjand C et al (2022). Does ashwagandha supplementation have a beneficial effect on the management of anxiety and stress? Phytotherapy Research.
- Shannon S et al (2019). Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: a large case series. The Permanente Journal.
- Food Standards Agency. Cannabidiol (CBD) guidance for businesses.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Evopure makes Flow CBD Oil.
