Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a small shrub whose roots have been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine, the traditional system of healing in India. This herb is classified as an adaptogen, believed to help the body manage and adapt to stress. People often use Ashwagandha for stress reduction, anxiety management, and to support better sleep quality. Determining whether service members can safely use this popular supplement requires navigating complex military policies and the inherent risks associated with unregulated products.
Official Military Guidance on Supplement Use
The Department of Defense (DoD) does not broadly endorse the use of most dietary supplements, particularly those that are not medically prescribed or officially vetted. Formal guidance is provided through Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS), a DoD program dedicated to educating service members about supplement risks. OPSS maintains the official DoD Prohibited Dietary Supplement Ingredients list, which catalogs substances banned due to safety or performance concerns.
Ashwagandha is not on the DoD Prohibited Dietary Supplement Ingredients list, meaning the herb is not explicitly banned for military use. However, this lack of prohibition does not constitute official endorsement by the DoD. The military discourages the use of any dietary supplement that has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating, diagnosing, preventing, or curing disease.
The military encourages service members to view supplements with caution because the FDA does not regulate them for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. The OPSS website offers tools, such as the “Check Your Supplement” feature, to help service members assess potential risks. Responsibility for what is consumed ultimately rests with the individual service member.
Ashwagandha and Military Drug Screening
A primary concern for service members considering any supplement is the potential for a positive result on a mandatory military drug test. Ashwagandha itself, being a botanical compound, should not cause a positive result on a routine military drug screening. The compounds in the plant do not cross-react with the chemicals military tests use to screen for illicit drugs or controlled substances.
The actual risk lies in the lack of regulation within the dietary supplement industry, which can lead to product contamination or adulteration. Supplements are often manufactured in facilities that handle ingredients banned by the military, such as synthetic steroids. These banned substances can unintentionally end up in the Ashwagandha product, leading to a positive drug test result.
Service members are held strictly accountable for any prohibited substance found in their system, regardless of awareness of contamination. To mitigate this risk, OPSS recommends choosing supplements that have been independently tested and certified by third-party organizations. Certification verifies that the product is free of substances banned in sport and those not listed on the label.
Safety Considerations for Service Members
While Ashwagandha is generally considered safe for short-term consumption, its long-term safety profile is not fully established by extensive research. Service members must consider how known side effects might impact their operational readiness. Common side effects include gastrointestinal upset, such as stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and nausea.
Ashwagandha can cause drowsiness or sedation, a side effect that directly impairs the ability to perform safety-sensitive military duties. The herb may also interact with prescription medications, including sedatives, blood pressure medications, or thyroid hormone replacements. It has the potential to increase thyroid hormone levels, which could interfere with treatment for individuals with thyroid conditions.
The inconsistent purity and dosage across different supplement brands complicate safety, as the product is not FDA-regulated. Before initiating the use of Ashwagandha, service members should consult with their military medical provider or healthcare professional. This consultation ensures the supplement does not pose a risk to their health, duty performance, or military career.