9 replies to this topic

[Mr.Bananas]

Its a simple question, what causes the drowsiness/somnolence that a few people experience with piracetam, huperzine and ashwagandha?
How can it be avoided?

[mentatpsi]

Its a simple question, what causes the drowsiness/somnolence that a few people experience with piracetam, huperzine and ashwagandha?
How can it be avoided?

ashwagandha has a sedative property to it. As such, i typically end up taking it at night.

Edited by mysticpsi, 27 June 2008 - 01:41 AM.

[nootrope]

Its a simple question, what causes the drowsiness/somnolence that a few people experience with piracetam, huperzine and ashwagandha?
How can it be avoided?

I don't know about huperzine and piracetam, but ashwagandha may be a GABA mimetic. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. (The scientific name for ashwagandha is withania somnifera, somnifera meaning sleep-inducing.) I consider this a feature and not a bug, as it helps me to sleep regularly. But maybe if you took it along with stimulating herbs, that would counteract the effect.

[dopamine]

Its a simple question, what causes the drowsiness/somnolence that a few people experience with piracetam, huperzine and ashwagandha?
How can it be avoided?

Cholinergics, in general, can cause drowsiness and/or daytime somnolence. Ashwagandha has some sedative properties, and GABA-mimetic activity.

[Mr.Bananas]

Its a simple question, what causes the drowsiness/somnolence that a few people experience with piracetam, huperzine and ashwagandha?
How can it be avoided?

Cholinergics, in general, can cause drowsiness and/or daytime somnolence. Ashwagandha has some sedative properties, and GABA-mimetic activity.

Hm, ok, with what mechanism is that? Doesnt ACh generally excite nerves?

[mentatpsi]

interestingly enough Ashwagandha is marked as an adaptogen. Sedative effects may be short lived.

[Mr.Bananas]

interestingly enough Ashwagandha is marked as an adaptogen. Sedative effects may be short lived.

Meaning that they should subside?

[dopamine]

Hm, ok, with what mechanism is that? Doesnt ACh generally excite nerves?

Drowsiness is a side-effect of most acetylcholine esterase inhibitors and other cholinergics. Not sure what the mechanism is.

[mentatpsi]

interestingly enough Ashwagandha is marked as an adaptogen. Sedative effects may be short lived.

Meaning that they should subside?

well I just found it interesting that Ashwagandha was an adaptogen, rather than just being considered a sedative and memory tonic. Either way, i'm assuming the sedative quality gets a bit better after a time, though I stopped taking it regularly to know this from personal experience.

[Renegade]

I have just started taking Ashwa again.

I did take it a few months ago and do not remember noticing a sedating effect, however I have felt drowsy after taking my first dose today.

I will keep taking it regularly with the hope that the drowsiness settles.

Edited by Renegade, 04 October 2012 - 03:19 PM.