Minisode 121: The Wellness Industry's Ashwagandha SCAMMinisode 121: The Wellness Industry's Ashwagandha SCAM
TheKicksShrink Podcast
Dr Sulman Aziz Mirza breaks down the ashwagandha craze, contrasting viral wellness claims with limited science and real safety risks. He explains the psychological “hope loop” that keeps people chasing natural cure-alls and urges a pause for professional advice before ditching prescribed treatment.
11:54•17 Oct 2026
Ashwagandha Hype or Hazard? Dr Mirza Calls Out the Wellness Scam
Episode Overview
- Influencer claims about ashwagandha curing anxiety and depression are far stronger than what small, short-term studies actually show.
- Denmark banned ashwagandha due to concerns about hormone disruption, liver damage and safety, while it remains heavily promoted online.
- Ashwagandha can cause serious problems including liver injury, thyroid overactivity, possible miscarriage risk and dangerous drug interactions.
- Supplements are poorly regulated, with inconsistent dosing and contamination risks, making each bottle a gamble for your health.
- Before starting ashwagandha or swapping prescribed treatment for any supplement, pause and speak with a doctor, psychiatrist or pharmacist first.
“"It feels like empowerment. But really, it's manipulation. Of your psychology, your wallet, and your health."”
What drives someone to seek a life without quick-fix wellness hacks and miracle cures? Minisode 121 of TheKicksShrink Podcast takes aim at the ashwagandha craze sweeping social media and asks some uncomfortable questions about who really benefits. Triple board-certified psychiatrist Dr Sulman Aziz Mirza breaks down why a herb that TikTok calls a cure-all for anxiety, depression and stress has been banned in Denmark.
He contrasts viral claims like “I stopped my meds after two weeks” with what the research actually shows: tiny studies, modest short-term effects, and nothing close to the life-changing transformations promised in creator captions.
You’ll hear him unpack the buzzword “adaptogen”, point out that shaving 17 minutes off your time to fall asleep isn’t a miracle, and then walk through the serious risks that almost never make it into influencer videos: liver injury, thyroid disruption, possible miscarriage risk, and dangerous interactions with common medications.
He keeps it straight-talking and a bit cheeky, but doesn’t soften the core message: “when you buy a bottle, you're not just swallowing a capsule, you're rolling the dice.” A big part of the episode focuses on what he calls the “hope loop” – that cycle where glowing testimonials, algorithms and our own confirmation bias make a £20 supplement feel like destiny.
It’s especially relatable if you’ve ever felt desperate for relief from anxiety, depression or stress, and found yourself scrolling for answers at 2 a.m. This minisode is ideal for anyone in recovery, anyone managing mental health, and anyone who’s ever wondered whether to swap prescribed treatment for something “natural”. You’ll come away with one clear action step: pause, talk to a professional first, and start spotting the hope loop before it hooks you again.
Next time a supplement promises to fix everything, will you still buy the hype?
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