Ashwagandha for Stress: How the Adaptogen Actually Works

Ashwagandha has been studied for its role in supporting a healthy stress response.

For me at the Human Experiment, I personally take a Full Spectrum Ashwagandha blend that includes the KSM-66 extract alongside the powder.

This adaptogenic shrub is best known for supporting the body's stress response and helping maintain cortisol levels already within a normal range.

According to WebMD, cortisol is "nature's built-in alarm system" — the hormone your body produces in heightened situations. As many of you have probably heard, cortisol evolved for "fight or flight." Think lions, tigers and bears. In this day and age, though, fight-or-flight looks a lot less like tigers and a lot more like deadlines and mounds of paperwork.

If you have a hectic life, or just a lot on your plate — me, as a business owner — you already know that managing stress well is one of the more sensible things you can do for your long-term health.

My mom always said "stress is the #1 killer." She used to say it when I was a kid, and while that's a saying rather than a scientific finding, the underlying instinct holds up: chronic stress is worth taking seriously.

Stress creeps into our day-to-day lives, which is why Ashwagandha — or Indian Ginseng, as it's also known — has such a long history of traditional use.

What We Carry

If you're dealing with physical and mental stressors, Level Up Self carries Youtheory's Ashwagandha. Speaking personally: within about a week of taking it consistently, I felt I had a more positive outlook and handled stressful situations better. That's my own experience, not a clinical result — individual responses vary.

We also carry Goli's Ashwagandha gummies. They don't have the same potency or active ingredient load as the capsules, but they're an easier format if you'll actually stick with them.

Not sure which format or dose fits you? Run Stack Check and it'll build a starting protocol around your goals and sleep. Or browse the stress reduction collection.

Here's to your (less) stressful life!

Cheers!

These opinions are my own and I am not a medical professional. During the Human Experiment podcast I have been taking these supplements myself to see how my body responds, and the above are my own results. For more, check out the Human Experiment Podcast — episodes released weekly.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult a physician before adding Ashwagandha or any new supplement to your routine, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.