I read great reviews about Ashwagandha (ASH) and wanted to give it a shot. So I ordered up some from Bulk Supplements, my favorite supplement supplier. They have: great prices, fast service, 99% pure products, AND I can adjust the serving size which is best for me! I currently 'stack' ASH with Rhodiola Rosa (from BS) and was expecting something more instant despite reading the other reviews. Well after about a week of taking ASH I started to notice suttle changes in my attitude. A few years ago I was a happy, lets do it kinda person, however within the last few years (I am now over 50 and before ASH and Rhodiola) I have had a negative and 'pissy' attitude. Small challenging jobs/work orders at work would get my 'undies in a bunch'! That has all changed! I now have the attitude of &#34;let do it&#34; again. I now look forward to challenging jobs/work orders! This DID NOT happen overnight, it did take a week or two to notice the attitude changes. BE PATIENT IT WORKS!<br />BTW I take 1/32 of a teaspoon of ASH and 1/32 teaspoon of Rhodiola and have great, even energy all day long.

This stuff works. I've begun a journey through many nootropics, and while I can't recommend this for daily use, I certainly recommend it for occasions when stress is high.<br /><br />What it feels like:<br />-Ashwagandha feels mildly relaxing, like meditation that works. I first used this in the morning when stress was low, it was then that I realized I couldn't take this daily as I enjoy the feeling it gives me. I found myself sitting there meditating on the good feeling. This does not get you drunk, you can drive and do whatever you need to do while using it.<br /><br />What it's really good for:<br />-A moment ago I said it's not the greatest to take for focusing when not stressed, but I'll reverse that recommendation for when you are stressed. The second time I took this stuff I had just been dicked by a teacher and it had cost me two full letter grades on a major assignment. I was mad and my mind wouldn't stop focusing on the injustice (which was level ten in that moment), and I still had work to do. I decided to mix 1/4 tsp in a cup of coffee. By the end of the cup, all my anger and anxiety went away and I could think clearly about the homework I needed to focus on.<br /><br />-And I did notice a higher craving for carbs about an hour after the cup. Though this could be caused more from the come down from stress than anything else.<br /><br />Definitely worth the cost. Like having Ibuprofen on hand for headaches.

I have purchased the 100 gram bag of Ashwagandha extract in the past from BulkSupplements and that was good quality extract. This 500 gram bag is most definitely NOT extract. It appears to be some sort of powdered plant matter. I assume it was mislabeled as Ashwagandha extract instead of just Ashwagandha. At least I hope it was a mistake.<br />I contacted Amazon about this and they were kind enough to refund my money but I wanted to give fair warning to anyone thinking of buying the larger 500 gram package of extract. You may want to contact the seller first to verify they have resolved this issue.

Usually I can't feel what any of the previous supplements I've taken do. This one is different. It really calms me down, and takes the edge off of my irritability. Works better than bourbon at calming me down. Tastes horrid, but have found using equal amounts of cinnamon in hot water or coffee makes it palatable. It mixes best in a hot beverage. I found that putting it in a cup and then pouring the hot water / tea / coffee and swirling mixes it up very well. I dose 1/8 Tsp, or more, morning and night, and sometimes in the afternoon. Really liking this. Cannot compare Bulk Supplements to another supplier, as this is my first experience with Ashwagandha.<br /><br />UPDATE<br />I had purchased a 1KG order from BS, and it had the same lot number, but they were not the same product as the first 100g order. The 1KG order was much lighter in color, did not have the "horse sweat" smell, and did not work at all, as far as I could tell. The first order was awesome, and took the edge off in 30 min or less. I was at 5 stars with the 100g order, but now I am down to 2 Stars. Not sure I am trusting this company now. I wrote the company but have not yet heard back from them. I'll update when I do. (Lot no. 1804305, best before May 30, 2021)

First off, I have tried many supplements over the years. While I have not tried many different brands with some of these supplements I have always been satisfied with the quality of Bulksupplements as a whole. Apart from the bag which never seals properly once it fills up with powder.<br /><br />On to the Ashwaganda. I came across it while looking for natural herbs that might help my anxiety problems. I have social anxiety that essentially seems to trigger my adrenal (or maybe fight or flight) system. When I feel pressured my heart rate increases, sometimes I sweat and generally get a jittery feeling. It can take five minutes or so for my system to calm down. Its not a terribly serious issue but it does limit my ability to interact in even mildly stressful situations. Sometimes I am more sensitive then others. I have tried many things over the years - meditation, mindfulness, introspection and on the supplement side L-theanine, Rhodiola Rosea, Bacopa Monnieri and Ginseng. Also dietary things have helped in general like maca, spirulina, fish oil, coconut oil, raw honey and eating well. All of this has been helpful but Ashwaganda has been more so then anything else.<br /><br />On the psychoactive side it has a relaxing effect, like stress is reduced. Almost like the feeling you get after meditating in the morning. But on the anxiety side it seems to take the edge off. I still have many of the same thoughts and impulses that my anxiety normally produces but the intensity is reduced and it feels much more manageable. The effect was actually quite significant and I am very grateful for it.<br /><br />I took it for about ten days straight, 1/8 tsp twice a day, and noticed a great difference. But it seemed to be more significant at first and life events kept me from using it for a period of time, so now I'm now experimenting with different doses and regimens.<br /><br />Anyways, I have definitely noticed a major improvement in my anxiety and general mood. I don't really notice a come down and it doesn't make me tired. I don't currently have L-theanine but I think that in combination the two might work synergistically.

The quality of the product has always been the among the highest available, which is why I keep purchasing from this vendor.<br /><br />But the packaging has always been, and remains, absolutely abysmal, to the point that I am considering returning to lower quality capsules just to avoid the mess and aggravation. I have dropped my rating to three stars over the years because of this.<br /><br />-The product is consistently filled above the package's tear-away line. So when I open a package, product inevitably falls out all over the place. One cannot even shake the product down to clear the top space because it is packed too full. And while extra product is appreciated, it is valueless because it just falls out anyway.<br /><br />-The locking seal almost never works. Once the package is opened, it almost never seals back up along the seal line. Either it doesn't work at all, or only partially works. So I am constantly having to use potato chip clips or simply dump the product into coffee containers.<br /><br />-The packaging seems cheap. Today's arrival broke open at the top and leaked product when I tried to open it up along the seal line. I am surprised it made it through shipping intact.<br /><br />I am not in a position to offer suggestions, but I think there must be some solution to this consistent problem. I would honestly pay a higher price for better quality packaging. Otherwise, the product itself remains of the highest quality and efficacy, across many different supplements I purchase.