Stress & Calm · 5 min read
Ashwagandha and the cortisol curve
What the evidence actually says about adaptogens and stress.
Ashwagandha is one of a handful of adaptogens with reasonable randomized-controlled-trial evidence. The most consistent finding: modest reductions in subjective stress, often paired with small reductions in serum cortisol.
Standardized extracts (KSM-66, Sensoril) at 300–600 mg per day for 8 weeks are the most studied protocols.
It's not a stimulant and not a sedative. Most people describe a quieter background — less reactive — rather than a felt effect.