I’m a 21 year old man with Bipolar Type 1, along with schizoaffective disorder.

I’m currently taking and have been taking for 2 weeks Lithium, Risperidone, and Depakote. I was thinking of adding in Ashwagandha as an anxiety medication taken in the morning with my lith. and risp. to alleviate some of the negative side effects associated with my disorders.

There’s a study that’s been done on this but I’m not sure if I’m allowed to post the link here.

Thoughts? Can provide more information if indicated. I have a bottle of ash pills (not gummies) and they’re 600mg per dose. Couldn’t find the specific one on google.

Thanks for being open and detailed — that really helps. You're asking a thoughtful and responsible question, so here's a grounded, science-informed answer. I'll cover:

Potential interactions between Ashwagandha and your medications

Evidence for Ashwagandha in bipolar or schizoaffective disorders

Safety considerations

What you might do next
---

Current Meds: Brief Overview

You're on:

Lithium — mood stabilizer, gold standard for bipolar I

Risperidone — antipsychotic, often for psychosis or mood symptoms

Depakote (valproate) — anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer


All three affect the central nervous system, and combining them already requires careful monitoring, especially for side effects like sedation, weight gain, tremor, or cognitive fog.


---

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): What it does

Traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for anxiety, stress, inflammation, and cognitive support

Modern research shows anxiolytic effects, possibly through modulation of GABA, cortisol, and inflammatory pathways

Most studies use 300–600 mg twice daily of standardized root extract
---

Can Ashwagandha Interact with Your Medications?

Yes — potentially. Here’s why:

Risk Explanation

CNS depression Ashwagandha has mild sedating effects. Combined with Risperidone, Lithium, and Depakote (all CNS-active), it could enhance drowsiness or cognitive dulling.
Thyroid interaction Ashwagandha may increase T3 and T4, while Lithium can cause hypothyroidism — this combo may complicate thyroid monitoring.
Serotonin interaction? Not likely dangerous in your case, but Ashwagandha can mildly affect serotonin, and polypharmacy always raises risk for subtle neurochemical overlap.
Kidney stress Lithium is excreted through the kidneys. While no strong evidence shows Ashwagandha damages kidneys, any supplement that’s metabolized should be monitored when you’re on Lithium.

>>33349951 (OP)
Mileage may vary. Some people feel better, others soulless, others say it doesn't work for em, etc... I'd ask my doc if I were you

Ashwagandha + Bipolar or Schizoaffective Disorder

There’s limited but emerging evidence that Ashwagandha may help with:

Anxiety

Sleep

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia (one small study with adjunctive use)


But no strong evidence for its use in bipolar I or schizoaffective disorder, and some caution is warranted.


> Anecdotally, some people report benefits — but others report worsened mood instability, irritability, or even mania when adding supplements.
---

My Grounded Recommendation:

Only consider using Ashwagandha if:

1. You talk to your psychiatrist first — especially because of Lithium + Risperidone combo


2. You start with a very low dose — e.g., 300 mg/day (half a pill) to test tolerability


3. You monitor sleep, mood, and alertness for at least a week


4. You have recent bloodwork for thyroid, kidney function, and Lithium level
If your psychiatrist approves it, and you’re careful, it may be okay to try. But don’t self-experiment too quickly — especially this early in your stabilization process (2 weeks in).


---

Want to share the study?

You can’t post links directly here, but if you share the title, author(s), or journal name — I can look it up and break down the findings for you.


---

Summary:

Question Answer

Can I take Ashwagandha with Lithium, Risperidone, and Depakote? Possibly, but only with psychiatric supervision and slow, cautious titration
Is there strong evidence it helps with Bipolar/Schizoaffective? Limited — mostly early-stage or indirect data
Is it dangerous? Not inherently, but can interact with CNS meds and alter thyroid levels, which matter when on Lithium
Should I try it? Only if cleared by your doctor — especially while adjusting meds
---

If you want help evaluating the study, finding a low-risk dosing plan, or tracking your mood/symptoms during supplementation, just let me know — I can help you structure it safely.

>>33349951 (OP)
>magic jeet herbs will make you normal saar, we promise theres no poop in there!
lol

>>33349953
I’ll for sure ask my doc, I just wanted to see what you guys think. Tbqh I could never really adhere to a long term ash protocol in the past too much shit going on and I was young and retarded and thought it was a magic T pill (still frauded 4real tho). It’s a wonder how I’ve found myself diagnosed with such a terrible mental health condition…lol

gummies are usually the worst possible way to take a supplement they are almost all fake/underdosed/contaminated.
for ash i'd go with a patented extract or full spectrum from reputable brand

>>33349957
I got capsules brother I just needed a pic

>>33349951 (OP)
I take it for an anxiety. I feel that it works. Not sure what more you want from us.

> Bipolar Type 1, along with schizoaffective disorder
You are taking other medication as well.
It should be fine.

>>33349959
This is perfect man. Sorry, I was big into men’s health shit as a teen with Derek vids (before he was popular :3)

>>33349955
Reminder that shartwaganda "research papers" are funded by a couple of jeetpharma companies

I take it and it doesn't do shit just another scam pill I bought because I hate how I am