For broader research context on nootropic compounds, including comparative stacks, cycling considerations, and interaction notes, see the Complete Nootropic Cheat Sheet.
What Is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is the common name for Withania somnifera, a shrub in the Solanaceae family that is native to India, parts of Africa, and the Middle East and is now cultivated in several regions. Its roots and, in some commercial preparations, leaves contain withanolides, a family of naturally occurring steroidal lactones that includes withaferin A and related compounds. The plant is also known as Indian ginseng, winter cherry, and by several regional names. In Ayurveda, the root has traditionally been classified as a rasayana, or rejuvenating botanical intended to support vitality, resilience, recovery, and healthy aging. Historical use is often described as extending for more than 3,000 years, although traditional use does not by itself establish efficacy for a modern clinical endpoint.
Modern supplement research generally classifies ashwagandha as an adaptogen: a botanical proposed to help the body maintain or regain physiological balance during stress. This classification is functional rather than a formal drug indication. Human studies have examined standardized extracts for perceived stress, salivary or serum cortisol, sleep, anxiety symptoms, resistance training, male reproductive measures, cognition, and thyroid-related outcomes. Results are promising but not uniform; they depend on the extract, dose, duration, baseline health, outcome measure, and quality of the trial. KSM-66 and Sensoril are branded extracts with different plant parts, extraction methods, and standardization profiles, so milligram doses should not be assumed to be interchangeable.
Quick Reference
Member reference tables summarize the compound's research parameters.
Research Indications
Research Protocols
As reported in cited literature and research-community logs (see Research Citations below), not a personal dosing recommendation.
This member section describes parameters reported in the research literature.
Peptide Interactions
This member section summarizes reported compound interactions and evidence limitations.
Reported Research Time Points
This member section summarizes reported research time points.
Safety Notes
Included for harm-reduction awareness only, in the event this compound is encountered outside its labeled research use. Inclusion here does not imply RUO Codes endorses, recommends, or instructs human use.
This member section discusses research safety considerations and uncertainties.
Quality Indicators
Research Citations
- A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of Ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults.
Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S., 2012, Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine - An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Lopresti, A. L., Smith, S. J., Malvi, H., & Kodgule, R., 2019, Medicine - Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: A randomized controlled trial.
Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, S., 2015, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition - Exploratory study to evaluate tolerability, safety, and activity of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in healthy volunteers.
Raut, A. A., Rege, N. N., Tadvi, F. M., et al., 2012, Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine - Efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha root extract in insomnia and anxiety: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
Langade, D., Kanchi, S., Salve, J., Debnath, K., & Ambegaokar, D., 2019, Cureus