Ashwagandha and Testosterone
Ashwagandha (link to one I recommend)
Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) is an herbal supplement widely used in Indian herbal medicine.
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, an adaptogen is a botanical that greatly improves your body’s ability to adapt to stress, whether it’s a hectic schedule, heat or cold, noise, high altitudes or any number of other stressors. This elite class of herbs impart strength, energy, stamina, endurance, and improve mental clarity.
Ashwagandha has some solid scientific evidence behind its claimed adaptogen benefits which include reducing stress, anxiety, inflammation, and cortisol levels, improving sperm quality, boosting testosterone levels, improving the quality of sleep, strengthening the immune system, even balancing blood lipids.
Research A
Since ashwagandha is an adaptogen, it should reduce stress, anxiety, and balance stress hormones mainly cortisol. In this study, ashwagandha does exactly this (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23439798)
In this double-blind placebo study, 300mg of ashwagandha KSM-66 was given to human subjects for 60 days. This was able to decrease cortisol (stress hormone) by 27%. The findings of this study suggest that a highconcentration full-spectrum Ashwagandha root extract safely and 38 effectively improves an individual's resistance towards stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life.
Research B
When it comes to general health benefits, there are many. For instance, ashwagandha can greatly improve cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation and increasing the “good” HDL-cholesterol (-17%) and reducing the “bad” LDL-cholesterol (-9%). (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19388865) - In this study, ashwagandha was able to increase serum t-cell count, and killer-cell count. Suggesting that it can boost immunity. At 250-500mg a day KSM-66 extract has also been shown to increase hemoglobin levels.
Research C
In this study, ashwagandha found out that at 600mg per day of KSM-66 ashwagandha significantly increased muscle strength and recovery in 57 young male subjects. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26609282)
Research D
In this study, two human subjects using 5g per day of ashwagandha KSM-66 for 90 days. Noted significant increases in testosterone levels. 40% and 16% in infertile subjects and 15% in healthy subjects. (https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2011/576962/) (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19501822)
My experience with ashwagandha
I first came across ashwagandha when I was researching for ways to increase my testosterone naturally. I was always driven to find a way to increase testosterone naturally because I loved the fact that naturally when diet, training, and supplementation are correct high testosterone can lead to better sex drive, aesthetics, strength, great mood, and amazing mental clarity just to name a few. I can say that I finally am on the right path and achieved those things but still more to achieve. I will share with you my experience with ashwagandha.
Before I started supplementing with ashwagandha I suffered from anxiety, depression, bad immune system, and other things. First, when I started supplementing with it, I was surprised, and therefore I love this supplement because you can feel the effect of it very quickly. You get a calm and collective feeling from it which lets you fall asleep much easier and stops you from overthinking. I came across two panic attacks in my life while still being a teenager. In my head, I had to solve this, but I never went to the doctor with my problems just because I know they just put a bandage over the problem and don’t actually fix it. I personally when suffering from anxiety I would take ashwagandha KSM-66 in the morning when I woke up (400mg) and before I went to sleep.
When my anxiety cleared, I would just take it before I go to sleep. You can as well cycle the ashwagandha because it’s an herb and it loses potency but not necessary (I personally don’t cycle it) you can take it from Monday to Friday and Take a break on the weekend. People who want to prolong how long their supplement bottle will last can do this.
Conclusion
Ashwagandha is, in my opinion, one of the best and my favorite natural testosterone boosting supplements out there. This supplement should be more popular as of its benefits. My go-to ashwagandha is KSM-66 at 400mg per day.