I was looking up this herb for interactions on the pharmacuetical database I subscribe to and read the following. I am concerned about any herb that could suppress dopamine, does the statement below mean that dopamine is also reduced which is not good effect for PD? I know many folks with and without PD taking this herb for anxiety, stress etc.
Anti-stress effects: Some researchers think ashwagandha has a so-called "anti-stressor" effect (4113). Preliminary research suggests ashwagandha suppresses stress-induced increases of dopamine receptors in the corpus striatum of the brain (3710). It also appears to reduce stress-induced increases of plasma corticosterone, blood urea nitrogen, and blood lactic acid (11301).
This may be the mechanism that calms.
Anxiolytic effects: Ashwagandha seems to have anxiolytic effects in laboratory research (32506), possibly by acting as a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mimetic agent (3710). Animal studies have demonstrated that ashwagandha can enhance serotonergic transmission through modulation of the postsynaptic serotonin (5-HT) receptors (95618).
Thanks!
-Syd