Q. How can I overcome the warming effects of Ashwagandha?

Hello doctor,

I am a 38 year old male. I started taking Ashwagandha 500 mg per day, a few months ago, and it improved my memory, attention, etc. But after a month, I began to have night sweats, agitation, weird sensations in the neck area and protruding eyes. I have read that Ashwagandha is excess pitta, I am new to ayurveda but also converted because Ashwagandha works wonders for me. I have some symptoms of overactive thyroid from it, but I really cannot quit it, because it has made me feel so good.

It has improved my life considerably. I suffer from OCD combined with BDD (body dysmorphic disorder) and depression. I am not producing enough serotonin, and my receptors for serotonin are also dysfunctional. In the last ten years, I have tried to keep myself aloft without psychiatric medication. Because it was not successful in my case, and they have some unwanted secondary effects. I take Omega 3, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D, Inositol, 5-HTP and lately Ashwagandha, and I cannot have a decent life without these supplements. I will never quit Ashwagandha again; I really cannot live without it. I have tried ghee, but it is not cooling enough. I also tried taking Shatavari and Bacopa, but I have some weird feeling, so it is not working. I also tried Triphala and Amla for a month but was also feeling weird from it so gave it up. Now I take Ashwagandha on alternate days. Please help me adjust the warming effects of Ashwagandha.