As a beauty editor slash obsessive, I spend an unhealthy amount of my free time on TikTok doomscrolling – sorry, ‘working’ – searching for solutions for a smorgasbord of self-diagnosed symptoms: dry skin, gut health, fatigue, excessive sweating, the list goes on.
Over the past month, the algorithmic powers that be have been not so subtly showing me the same word over and over: shilajit. Video after video promised that this dietary supplement would increase energy and reduce fatigue, piquing my interest as a restless sleeper – which often leaves me feeling exhausted by 1pm, in danger of falling asleep at any time if the room is too warm, or the chair too cosy.
With one cynical eyebrow raised, I delved deeper to find out what the new wellness fix was all about.
What is shilajit?
“Shilajit is a natural resin which is rich in fulvic acid, trace minerals and bioactive compounds that have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to enhance vitality,” explains VJ Hamilton, BANT-registered nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner. You may be familiar with other Ayurvedic adaptogens like ashwagandha, which combats the body’s response to stress. “Like most adaptogenic and mineral-rich compounds, shilajit is not a quick fix, but part of a longer-term strategy to rebuild resilience at a cellular level.”
Like other adaptogens, shilajit comes in many forms, the resin form in which it is harvested as well as capsules, gummies, liquid, powder, and shilajit and honey sachets that I kept seeing on TikTok. “From a scientific perspective, it’s best known for supporting mitochondrial function which makes it particularly useful if you’re struggling with fatigue, low resilience or slow recovery,” VJ continues. “In both my clinical work and personal use, I’ve seen it help improve energy, focus and stamina, particularly when paired with good sleep, blood sugar balance and foundational nutrient support.”
Opting for pure resin, I began taking Himalayan Shilajit from Kiki Health.
How to take shilajit
Depending on the form of shilajit you’ve chosen will impact how and when you take it. The resin is a sticky, tar-like substance that could easily be mistaken for shoe polish – in both smell and consistency. Understandably that might be off-putting for some, but it was no worse than a pungent herbal tea for me.
“Resin is the form I typically recommend to clients because it’s the least processed and closest to the original compound found in nature,” says VJ. “Resin generally contains higher concentrations of fulvic acid and trace minerals which are vital for mitochondrial energy production and mineral transport.”
Taking it twice a day – once before or with breakfast and once in the afternoon – Kiki Health recommends a pea-sized amount that can be dissolved in tea, coffee, or hot water. Its handy spoon rests on the lip of a mug so that your shilajit can slowly dissolve into your beverage of choice before consuming. It has a slight muddy taste that is neither pleasant nor unpleasant, but you eventually become indifferent to it.
What are the effects of taking shilajit?
Surprisingly, the effects of taking shilajit were almost immediate – so surprising that I was convinced it was a placebo effect.
Afternoons in the office usually looked something like this. Picture me slumped in my chair, trying desperately to get through tasks that require concentration, plying myself with a sugar fix of Diet Coke and sweets, chocolate, cake – anything to keep me awake. Suddenly unnecessary, not only was I no longer fighting to stay awake at my desk, but I also found it easier to work on tasks that I would save for the morning when I was most alert.
With fatigue taking a backseat, I was not only more productive during the day, but at night too. Instead of leaving me wired for hours like coffee, unable to sleep when I wanted to, shilajit delayed my tiredness to a more respectable hour – getting tired just before bedtime. Instead of waking multiple times a night – I am Team Sleep Divorce to help with this – I would wake up only once or not at all and in the morning would feel well-rested, almost hopping out of bed (as somebody who is not a morning person, this is miraculous).
Almost seeming too good to be true, I asked VJ to explain the science behind shilajit’s success.
All the ways it's changed my life (and work).
What does shilajit do for the body?
“In both my clinical work and personal use, I’ve seen shilajit help improve energy, focus and stamina, particularly when paired with good sleep, blood sugar balance and foundational nutrient support,” she explains. “I’ve seen clients benefit from deeper sleep, improved exercise recovery, and fewer ‘energy crashes’ when using shilajit alongside a nutrient-dense diet. That said, the benefits unfold slowly and are best sustained through consistency.”
Finding myself among the few who notice immediate improvements, VJ suggests sticking with it for a bit longer if you don’t. “For many people, especially those with mitochondrial dysfunction or long-standing inflammation, subtle shifts can be felt in as little as 2–3 weeks,” she says. “More consistent changes like better cognitive function or increased physical stamina, tend to show up between 6–8 weeks.”
Are there any side effects when taking shilajit?
Before taking shilajit, my biggest concern was that it would upset the delicate balance of my gut health. In the past, other supplements have caused cramps or worse, but so far shilajit seems to be respecting the balance. While it can cause some mild digestive issues, starting with a microdose and slowly increasing over time is the expert-advised best way to navigate this, though it's important to always consult your GP before beginning with a new supplement.
What’s most important to note is where you source your shilajit from. “In general, purified and third-party tested shilajit is well tolerated, and I’ve had very few clients experience side effects,” VJ explains. “However, unprocessed shilajit can be contaminated with heavy metals, free radicals, or microbial residues which is why I never recommend buying it from unverified sources.”
A good night's sleep for a month?
Who shouldn’t use shilajit?
Both Kiki Health and VJ suggest that shilajit shouldn’t be taken by anyone pregnant or breastfeeding as well as people with gout or those taking blood thinners or insulin.
“I typically hold off on introducing shilajit until we’ve done some foundational work on liver, gut, and mineral balance, especially in those with autoimmune conditions, so that the body is better equipped to utilise it,” she says. If you have any doubts, it’s best to speak with a healthcare provider before taking shilajit to be safe.
Would I recommend shilajit to my fellow fatigued friends out there? Absolutely. If you’re looking for a way to banish tiredness forever, then unfortunately your search continues. If you’re trying to find your way back to your natural rhythm, this might be the roadmap you’ve been looking for.
The trouble is, with your sleep schedule (relatively) back to normal, it does mean less time for TikTok doomscrolling in bed… Swings and roundabouts.
If you're considering trying out a new supplement, it's best to consult your GP before doing so.
