Does one-time ashwagandha intake improve cognitive function?

INTERVENTION: Subjects consumed capsules containing 400 mg of a proprietary root and leaves extract of ashwagandha (NooGandha®, Specnova, Boca Raton, FL, USA) or capsules containing 400 mg of a wheat flour placebo (Placebo) once they have completed baseline testing with 8 ounces of water. A computer generated randomization to treatment was used. Once subjects were randomized to start, they followed the counter balance progression. CONDITION: Improving cognition in healthy individuals ; Not Applicable PRIMARY OUTCOME: ; The Psychology Experiment Building Language (PEBL) software program (Version 2.1, http://pebl.sourceforge.net) was used to administer four cognitive function tests that assessed a range of cognitive and executive function aspects:; 1. Berg‐Wisconsin Card Sorting Task test (BCST) at baseline, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours after ingestion; 2. The Go/No‐Go test (GNG) at baseline, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours after ingestion; 3. Sternberg Task Test (STT) at baseline, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours after ingestion; 4. Psychomotor Vigilance Task Test (PVTT) at baseline, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours after ingestion; SECONDARY OUTCOME: There are no secondary outcome measures INCLUSION CRITERIA: Apparently healthy males and females between the ages of 18 to 59 years were recruited to participate in the study. All subjects were healthy and free from known: 1. Cognitive deficit conditions 2. Wheat flour allergies 3. Sleep disorders 4. Cardiovascular, metabolic, or pulmonary diseases 5. History of hypertension, migraine headaches, cardiac arrhythmias, or anxiety 6. Gastrointestinal reflux disease or ulcers