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.
Ashwagandha (Withania Somnofera) is an adaptogenic Indian Ayurvedic herb used as a tonic for an array of disease processes, especially touted as a nervine tonic. When we are in stressful situations, there can be an increase in serum cortisol, levels of anxiety and depression in even healthy individuals. .
Adaptogens are non-toxic plants that can support the body in resisting stressors, be it physical, chemical or biological. These wonderful plants do this by interacting with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system. Both playing crucial roles in physiological responses to outside stimuli. KSM-66 is the root extract of Ashwagandha which has the most extensive research studies and clinical trials carried out on. A double blind, placebo controlled study following a 8 week clinical trial of adults taking Ashwagandha (KSM66) concluded: . PSS (Perceived Stress Scale) score reduced by 44%. . Serum cortisol levels reduced by 27.9% . .
GHQ-28.(General Health Questionnaire to indicate psychological wellbeing) reduced to 72.9%. . Severe depression decreasing at an astonishing 79.3%. . DASS (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale) dropped by 71.6%. . All changes were compared to placebo.
Researchers concluded: “High-concentrations on full-spectrum Ashwagandha root extract improves an individual’s resistance toward stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life.” .
The study results suggest Ashwagandha (as KSM-66) safely and effectively reduces levels of stress and depression, as well as physiological markers of anxiety.