StackTerminal.Health

BETA

Ashwagandha

Adaptogen with consistent evidence for stress, cortisol, & testosterone support; one of the best-evidenced adaptogens.

stressrecoveryhormonessleepstrength

Evidence last reviewed: 04 Apr 2026

Evidence
3 records
3 recordsBest grade:Moderate
Biomarkers
Sleep Quality (subjective)Sleep LatencyVO₂ MaxAnxietyMuscle Strength (1RM)

The evidence supports ashwagandha's effectiveness in reducing stress, improving sleep, and enhancing physical performance, with moderate-quality studies backing these claims. However, individual responses may vary, and caution is advised for those with specific health conditions.

Physical performance (strength, VO2max)
Healthy adults and athletes · Systematic review & Bayesian meta-analysis
Moderate

Significant improvements in muscle strength, power, & VO2max compared to placebo across 13 RCTs.

Dose: 600 mgDuration: 8–12 weeks
Effect sizes moderate; responder variability exists.
Sleep quality / sleep onset latency
Adults with and without insomnia · Systematic review & meta-analysis (5 RCTs, n=400)
Moderate

Small but significant improvement in overall sleep (SMD −0.59); stronger effects in insomnia subgroup & at ≥600 mg/day for ≥8 weeks.

Dose: 600 mgDuration: 8–10 weeks
No serious adverse effects reported in included trials.
Perceived stress & anxiety reduction
Adults with insomnia and anxiety · RCT (double-blind, placebo-controlled)
Moderate

300 mg ashwagandha root extract twice daily significantly improved sleep quality, anxiety scores, & mental alertness on rising vs. placebo.

Dose: 300 mgDuration: 10 weeksForm: root extract
Dose refers to standardized KSM-66 extract. Stress & anxiety benefits seen across multiple RCTs.
Stacks containing Ashwagandha
Explore all →
strengthrecoverydaily

This tailored supplement stack is optimized for enhancing strength, recovery, and joint health during your active recovery week. The combination of magnesium, ashwagandha, sodium hyaluronate, vitamin B-complex, and tart cherry supports muscle relaxation, reduces inflammation, and promotes overall longevity, ensuring you bounce back stronger from your high training load.

Magnesium (Glycinate)
300mg
Ashwagandha
300mg
Sodium Hyaluronate
150mg
New
View
mens-healthfertilitytestosterone

Male factor infertility accounts for ~50% of cases & is largely driven by oxidative stress, micronutrient deficiency, & suboptimal testosterone. Ashwagandha has RCT evidence for significantly improving sperm concentration, motility, & testosterone. L-carnitine is the most evidence-backed intervention for sperm motility. CoQ10 & selenium reduce seminal oxidative damage, while zinc is essential for spermatogenesis & androgen synthesis.

Ashwagandha
600mg
L-Carnitine / Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
2000mg
Coenzyme Q10
300mg
New
View
stressmoodcalm

Ashwagandha & lemon balm are combined to support stress reduction & enhance mood. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that reduces stress & anxiety, while lemon balm provides calming effects & improves mood.

Ashwagandha
300mg
Lemon Balm
600mg
New
View
stressmoodanxiety

Combining Rhodiola Rosea with Ashwagandha can reduce stress and enhance mood. Rhodiola is an adaptogen that helps manage stress, while Ashwagandha is known for its mood-enhancing and stress-reducing properties.

Rhodiola Rosea
200mg
Ashwagandha
300mg
New
View
womens-healthconstraints

My Sample Stack

by@tin_man140_6

Built from your selected goals, constraints, diet, & the supplement evidence library. You can edit doses & timing.

Vitamin B-Complex
26mg
Vitamin C
500mg
Ashwagandha
600mg
New
View
recoverysleepfocus

Supports training consistency under physical & mental stress.

Ashwagandha
600mg
Glycine
3000mg
New
View
Community Insights
Forms & usage
How to take it

Take 300-600 mg of ashwagandha root extract daily, preferably in divided doses.

KSM-66 (root extract)
Most trialled form; 5–10% withanolides.
Sensoril (leaf + root)
Higher withanolide content; more sedating.
Safety & trade-offs3
Interaction

May elevate thyroid hormones (T3/T4) — caution with thyroid conditions or thyroid medications

Liver

Rare hepatotoxicity cases reported — discontinue if liver enzymes elevated; likely dose- or contaminant-related

Interaction

May potentiate sedatives and anxiolytics — additive CNS depression

High  Moderate   Low / note

My notes
Sign in to keep a private note on Ashwagandha.