Ashwagandha (KSM-66)
Withania somnifera root extract. Modulates HPA axis, lowers cortisol, and in some RCTs raises testosterone in men under chronic stress.
This compound sits in research-grey territory. The caveats below carry more weight than for FDA-approved entries — read them.
The active withanolides inhibit corticosteroid synthesis and modulate GABAergic pathways, explaining anxiolytic effects. Multiple RCTs show 11–30% cortisol reduction. Testosterone effect is real but modest (~15%) and limited to men with suboptimal baseline. KSM-66 is the best-studied full-spectrum extract (root-only, no leaf).
May interact with thyroid medications — ashwagandha modestly raises T3/T4. Avoid in pregnancy (abortifacient in animal models). Some individuals experience GI upset at high doses.
Per-claim grading. Each claim is graded independently — same peptide, different claims can carry different grades.
- CLimited evidence
Ashwagandha (KSM-66) — primary mechanism: withania somnifera root extract. modulates hpa axis, lowers cortisol, and in some rcts raises testosterone in men under chronic stress.
2 supporting referencesVerified 5d ago
External links to PubMed searches, ClinicalTrials.gov, and FDA materials. We do not host papers — we point at canonical sources.
Dietary supplement (DSHEA). FDA 'generally recognized as safe' for food use.