Efficacy of Withania somnifera supplementation on adult’s cognition and mood

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Efficacy of Withania somnifera supplementation on adult’s cognition and mood”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Ashvagandha (Asvagandha, Ashwagandha, Ashvagamdha, Ashva-gandha):
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb known for its stress-relieving properties. It is often used in supplements aimed at improving cognitive performance, reducing anxiety, and enhancing mood. The present study investigates its efficacy in adults experiencing high stress, elucidating its potential role in psychological and physiological health enhancement.

2) Table:
In academic research, a table is a critical data presentation tool that organizes information systematically. It allows for the clear and concise display of results, such as mean scores and standard deviations, making it easier for readers to comprehend complex findings and compare various groups' outcomes over time.

3) Anxiety:
Anxiety is a psychological condition characterized by excessive worry, fear, or nervousness. It affects cognitive performance, mood, and overall well-being. The study assesses self-reported anxiety levels to evaluate the efficacy of Ashwagandha in reducing symptoms in stressed adults, shedding light on the herb's adaptogenic properties.

4) Depression:
Depression is a mental health disorder marked by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and a decreased ability to function. The study measures depressive symptoms in participants, exploring how Ashwagandha supplementation may alleviate these symptoms as part of a broader mental health and stress management approach.

5) Study (Studying):
The study represents a structured investigation evaluating the effects of Ashwagandha on cognitive performance, cortisol levels, and self-reported stress measures. It employs a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, highlighting the importance of robust methodology in deriving valid conclusions about the supplement's efficacy in stressed adults.

6) Craving (Crave, Craved):
Craving refers to an intense desire for specific substances or experiences, which can affect dietary choices and overall health. In the context of the study, food cravings are assessed to determine if Ashwagandha impacts individuals' eating behaviors, potentially alleviating stress-induced cravings and contributing to better health outcomes.

7) Food:
Food plays a vital role in human health and well-being, influencing mood, cognition, and overall physical health. The study examines how Ashwagandha may affect food cravings, providing insights into the relationship between dietary habits and psychological stress, particularly in adults experiencing high levels of perceived stress.

8) Performance:
Performance refers to the ability to carry out tasks effectively, particularly in cognitive contexts. In this study, cognitive performance is measured through various tests, assessing how Ashwagandha supplementation may enhance cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and reaction time, which are often compromised under stress.

9) Sign:
In research, a 'sign' often refers to statistical significance, indicating whether the results obtained are likely due to chance. The study illustrates the importance of significant findings in validating the efficacy of Ashwagandha, contributing to evidence-based claims regarding its potential benefits for managing stress-related conditions.

10) Withania somnifera:
Withania somnifera, commonly known as Ashwagandha, is a herb widely used in traditional medicine for its adaptogenic properties. It is investigated in this study for its potential to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and improve cognitive performance in adults, making it an important focus in health research.

11) Mud:
Mood refers to a temporary state of mind or feeling that can influence cognitive abilities and overall well-being. The study assesses self-reported mood changes among participants, aiming to determine if Ashwagandha can enhance mood stability and reduce negative feelings associated with high stress levels.

12) Ter:
The term 'ther' appears to be an aspect of terminology or typographical error possibly referring to 'therapy' or related fields in the context of stress management and physiological enhancements. Understanding therapeutic approaches is essential for evaluating how supplements like Ashwagandha can contribute to mental health.

13) Writing:
Writing is a critical component of academic research, essential for documenting findings, methodologies, and conclusions. The quality of writing influences the clarity and accessibility of research articles, and is especially important in disseminating knowledge about the effects of Ashwagandha and related treatments on stress.

14) Indian:
The term 'Indian' relates to the region of India, where Ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera, is traditionally sourced. Recognizing the herb's geographical origins highlights its significance in herbal medicine practices and informs the cultural context of its usage in managing stress and enhancing well-being.

15) Post:
The use of 'post' often signifies a stage occurring after a specific event, like the 'post-treatment' effects observed after Ashwagandha supplementation. This is crucial for evaluating the herb's utility in managing stress-related conditions compared over pre-treatment baselines, providing critical insights into its benefits.

16) Pharmacological:
Pharmacological refers to the study of drug interactions and the therapeutic effects of substances on biological systems. This term is critical in research assessing the mechanisms of Ashwagandha in alleviating stress and its impact on cognitive and physiological functions within affected adults.

17) Reliability:
Reliability in research refers to the consistency and dependability of results obtained from assessments or measures. Ensuring reliability is essential for establishing the validity of findings, such as those related to Ashwagandha's effects on cognitive performance and psychological well-being, making it a key focus in studies.

18) Medicine:
Medicine encompasses the science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing illness. The study of Ashwagandha situates it within the broader framework of alternative medicine, highlighting its relevance in natural remedies for managing stress and improving mental health without typical pharmacological interventions.

19) Disease:
Disease refers to a pathological condition that disrupts normal bodily functions and can impact mental health, especially under stress. Understanding how interventions like Ashwagandha might help alleviate anxiety and depression highlights its potential role in disease prevention and health promotion in vulnerable populations.

20) Powder:
In this context, 'powder' refers to the form in which the Ashwagandha supplement is administered. Identifying the supplement's form is crucial for understanding dosing, efficacy, and consistency in the delivery of active ingredients, which is essential for reliable research outcomes and user adherence.

21) Joshi (Josi):
Joshi may refer to one of the researchers involved in the study of Ashwagandha and its effects. The involvement of researchers enhances the credibility of the study, particularly in examining the impact of the herb on cognitive functions, stress, and overall well-being in a controlled environment.

22) Pilli:
Pilli likely refers to another researcher in the study examining Ashwagandha's cognitive and psychological effects. The accumulating expertise among researchers adds depth to the findings, as their insights contribute to a well-rounded understanding of how nutrition and supplements can modulate stress responses.

23) Rules:
Rules in the context of research can refer to the methodological guidelines and protocols established for conducting studies. It is crucial for maintaining consistency, controlling variables, and ensuring reliable comparisons across different treatment groups, particularly when assessing the efficacy of Ashwagandha in clinical settings.

24) Visit:
Visits pertain to the scheduled assessments participants attend during the research study. These visits are critical for gathering data, including cognitive assessments and saliva samples for cortisol analysis, which are vital for determining the effects of Ashwagandha supplementation over the study's duration.

25) Jacob:
Jacob could refer to another contributor to the research. Collaboration among multiple researchers is vital for enhancing study design, data analysis, and interpretation of results, particularly in investigations involving herbal supplements like Ashwagandha and their implications for mental health.

26) Vila:
Vila may refer to one of the researchers involved in the study, contributing their expertise to the investigation of Ashwagandha. The collaborative efforts of researchers are significant in ensuring rigorous methodology and comprehensive understanding of the supplement's potential benefits in managing stress.

27) Palo:
Palo could be related to Palo Alto, California, which may signify a geographic reference or institution associated with the research. Geographic and institutional contexts often inform the quality and scope of studies, enhancing the understanding of culturally and regionally relevant health practices.

28) Diet:
Diet refers to the overall pattern of food consumption and its role in health management. The relationship between diet and mental health is significant, particularly when assessing how supplements like Ashwagandha might influence eating behaviors, cravings, and cognitive functions under stress.

29) Hand:
Hand may refer to hand grip strength assessments conducted as part of the study measurements. This physical assessment serves as a complementary measure alongside cognitive evaluations, helping to establish a comprehensive profile of participants' health and well-being during Ashwagandha supplementation.

30) Peer review:
Peer review is a quality control process for academic publications that ensures research validity and integrity. The peer-review process is vital for validating findings related to Ashwagandha and its effects on stress, as it emphasizes the importance of credible and scientifically sound research.

31) Measurement:
Measurement is crucial in research, involving the quantification of variables to assess outcomes accurately. This study employs various measurement techniques to evaluate the impact of Ashwagandha on psychological and cognitive parameters, establishing a basis for interpreting its efficacy in stress management.

32) Discussion:
Discussion sections in research papers synthesize findings and place them within the context of existing literature. This crucial part of the study will explore implications, compare results with prior research, and outline future directions for studies examining the role of Ashwagandha in managing stress.

33) Developing:
Developing refers to the process of creating and refining new treatments or interventions. In this study, developing an understanding of Ashwagandha's role in cognitive and psychological health unveils its potential as a therapeutic option for managing stress in various populations.

34) Suffering:
Suffering signifies experiencing distress or pain, particularly in psychological contexts. The study aims to understand how Ashwagandha may alleviate suffering associated with heightened stress, anxiety, and cognitive impairment, providing insights into herbal interventions for those experiencing mental health challenges.

35) Pregnant:
Pregnant refers to women in the stage of carrying a fetus. It is significant to exclude this population in the study due to potential risks associated with herbal supplements. Understanding Ashwagandha's safety in this demographic underscores the importance of precise participant selection for health research.

36) Madhya:
Madhya refers to Madhya Pradesh, an Indian state where Ashwagandha is primarily grown and sourced. Acknowledging the herb's origins ties it to its traditional uses in Ayurvedic medicine, emphasizing the cultural relevance of the study in exploring its modern applications for stress management.

37) Family:
Family emphasizes the contextual influences on individual stress levels and overall well-being. Understanding family dynamics is important in health research, as they can contribute to participants' perceived stress and mental health, making it invaluable to control these effects during the study of Ashwagandha.

38) Reason:
Reason pertains to the underlying factors contributing to decisions or occurrences, such as participants' dropout reasons in the study. Identifying and understanding these reasons can inform future research and improve study designs to maintain participant retention and enhance research efficacy.

39) Birth:
Birth reflects the biological factor of reproduction and can also implicate family dynamics. As the study excludes pregnant women, recognizing the implications of birth and its complexities is crucial for understanding stress factors and ensuring research findings are applicable to non-pregnant populations.

40) Blood:
Blood may refer to physiological measurements or health indicators relevant to stress assessment and overall health. While the study primarily focuses on psychological measurements such as cortisol levels, understanding blood-related metrics is vital for a comprehensive evaluation of health implications related to Ashwagandha use.

41) Kara:
Kara could refer to another contributor or researcher involved in the study. A collaborative team enriches research through diverse expertise and perspectives, which is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the implications of Ashwagandha on stress and cognitive health.

42) Rice (Rce):
Rice symbolizes a component of the placebo used in the study, serving as a control mechanism to assess the effects of Ashwagandha supplementation accurately. The use of a non-active ingredient ensures that results are attributable to Ashwagandha, promoting methodological rigor in clinical trials.

43) Line:
Line may refer to the line graphs or statistical representations used in the study to present data visually. Clear graphical representations are integral for readers to interpret results, making data comprehension and the implications of the study more accessible and understandable.

44) Pir:
Peer signifies the concept of individuals at the same level in a certain field. In the context of research, peer contributions enhance the validity and depth of findings, particularly through the peer-review process, ensuring that studies like the one on Ashwagandha are credible and scientifically grounded.

45) Life:
Life denotes the holistic human experience, including psychological aspects like stress and well-being. The study addresses life quality by exploring how Ashwagandha impacts cognitive performance, mood, and stress levels, ultimately aiming to promote better health outcomes and improvements in participants' overall life quality.