Ashwagandha and meditation may reduce stress-driven eating behaviors by lowering cortisol and modulating appetite-regulating hormones like ghrelin and neuropeptide Y.
330 studiesreviewed across 12 searches examining stress-eating interventions
What the researchers found
Both ashwagandha and meditation show potential to reduce cortisol levels and modulate stress-related appetite pathways including neuropeptide Y, ghrelin, and dopaminergic signaling.
Why it matters
Addressing the hormonal root cause of stress eating — rather than just willpower — could provide more sustainable approaches to obesity prevention.
The numbers in context
12 searches, 330 hits, 51 studies met inclusion criteria; covers HPA axis, NPY, ghrelin, leptin, insulin, and dopamine pathways.
How the study worked
Systematic search of the literature with critical appraisal; 12 searches yielding 330 hits, evaluating ashwagandha, meditation, and mindfulness in relation to stress response mechanisms.
Who was studied
Adults with stress-related eating behaviors and obesity
What this study cannot tell us
Literature review rather than original clinical trial; heterogeneous study designs across reviewed papers; ashwagandha dosing and meditation protocols vary widely.
How to read the evidence
Systematic literature review with critical appraisal; evidence quality varies across the included studies.
When this study was published
Published in 2025, synthesizing current understanding of stress-mediated obesity pathways.
The bigger picture
As obesity rates rise alongside chronic stress levels, interventions that target the stress-obesity axis through hormonal and neuropeptide modulation offer a complementary approach alongside GLP-1 medications and lifestyle changes.
Questions still open
- Could ashwagandha be combined with GLP-1 receptor agonists for synergistic weight management effects?
- What specific ashwagandha doses and meditation durations are most effective for cortisol reduction?
Common questions
How does stress cause weight gain?
Can ashwagandha help with stress eating?
Read the original research
Investigating the Impact of Ashwagandha and Meditation on Stress Induced Obesogenic Eating Behaviours.
Journal of the American Nutrition Association, 44(1), 68-88
Citation
Quinones, Daniel; Barrow, Michelle; Seidler, Karin. (2025). Investigating the Impact of Ashwagandha and Meditation on Stress Induced Obesogenic Eating Behaviours.. Journal of the American Nutrition Association, 44(1), 68-88. https://doi.org/10.1080/27697061.2024.2401054