A Guide to KSM66 Ashwagandha

Intro

An important attribute in any bodybuilder’s life is stress levels. A stressful life is a domino effect for many health issues, not only in general but in building mass and staying lean. 

Of course, we all handle stress differently and some of us may suffer conditions that amplify it like, depression, anxiety, or more serious mental health disorders. It’s always great if we can find a nootropic stack or other form of supplementation (even prescription, if the sides aren’t too harsh) to alleviate the other awful feelings that may ensue from such stress. It’s always better if one can find a natural, herbal supplement that’s gentle on the body. 

In my experience, there are a few factors in finding such a supplement. 

It has to:

• Actually work
• Not be neurotoxic
• Not be harsh on organs
• Not have withdrawals upon cessation
• Have a long-lasting half-life (no redosing every couple of hours)

Today we are going to take a look at a promising, stress-relieving, herbal supplement called KSM66 Ashwagandha, which also claims to have minimal adverse effects. 

So, let’s take a look, Dench City style baby…

What is Ashwagandha?

It’s an evergreen shrub about 1.5m high and is grown and cultivated in India, the   Middle East and found in eastern Africa. They are small, greenish-yellow flowers [1].

Ashwagandha is known as an adaptogen, which means it’s a herb that claims stabilization of the body [2]. 

Fun Fact … 

The translated word Ashwagandha means ‘smell of a horse’, and has two meanings [3]. 

It apparently emits the smell of a horse from its freshly pulled roots. Personally, I’ve never gone up and sniffed a horse so maybe you can let me know if you move in those circles. 

Secondly, A person who consumes Ashwaghanda’s extracts may develop the power and vitality of that which resembles a horse [4] (hmmm ok). 

But what’s with all the KSM66 bollocks? I hear you ask as you’re reading this wonderful article.

Well, my patient reader, it’s a highly concentrated version of Ashwagandha. 

The extract is drawn from the roots and all the other unnecessary parts like the leaves are left out. I guess a bit like one of the processes of another well-known herb some folk like. It’s made through a unique extraction process that doesn’t use alcohol or synthetic solvents which are based on the principles of ‘green chemistry.’ [4]

What are the benefits of Ashwagandha KSM66?

The main benefits of Ashwagandha KSM66 ar

• Reduction in stress and anxiety 
• Athletic performance benefits 
• Reduce symptoms of mental health conditions
• Proven safe to use 

There is a good double-blind (neither party knows if they took KSM66 or a placebo) that I came across in which the subjects were to trial Ashwagandha KSM66 for 60 days. 

These people claimed they were going through high stress in their current lives but had no serious mental health condition, these people came from a range of backgrounds from Students, Doctors, Engineers to IT folk. 

The end result was to imply that a high-concentration full-spectrum Ashwagandha root extract (KSM66) enhances a person’s stress resistance and, as a result, their self-assessed quality of life [4].

For Athletes

In regards to athletic performance, there are claims of increasing muscle mass and strength. 

Let’s take a quick look at a study that claims significant increases in muscle mass and strength using KSM66 Ashwagandha [5]. The study state a significant increase in testosterone. 

 

 

Looking at the graph above I would hardly say ‘significant’. It would seem the test levels are still within the general range [5].

Given the study group is small, young and untrained, these levels could have increased from the resistant training alone. This is confirmed in the conclusion of the study, check the reference for more details [6].

Any sides?

KSM66 Ashwagandha is generally well tolerated by all. It has been reported that in large doses Ashwagandha can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea (lovely) [7].

Conclusion

The study is great and reassuring for most, but how does it help people that suffer from more serious conditions? 

Well, there is some promising research suggesting it could help cognition and symptoms of people with depressive and bipolar disorder. 

There are some rather extreme claims of ‘works as well as diazepam’. I mean, that sounds like something someone would say who never popped a valium or xanny. 

Final Thoughts

I personally have added it to my stack of morning brain enhancement supplements, (this one to be precise). 

I am curious after my research but I am doubtful it will be anything like one of the Modafinil family members (I should really get an affiliate with all these mentions). 

I can attest the fact that I have no horse-like attributes but I shall finish the bottle and assess the situation accordingly. 

Anywho, that’s all for today.

Works Cited

[1] – Ashwagandha.” Drugs.com, Drugs.com, 2018, www.drugs.com/npp/ashwagandha.html.

[2] – Brekhman, I I, and I V Dardymov. “New Substances of Plant Origin Which Increase 

Nonspecific Resistance.” Annual Review of Pharmacology, vol. 9, no. 1, Apr. 1969, pp. 419–430, 10.1146/annurev.pa.09.040169.002223. Accessed 15 Jan. 2022.

[3] – Dr Shastry JLN. Ayurvedokta oushadha niruktamala, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Ist ed. Varanasi, India; 2001. p. 10.

[4] – Chandrasekhar, K, et al. “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.” Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, v.

34, no. 3, 2012, pp. 255–62, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23439798, 10.4103/0253-7176.106022.

[5] – Wankhede, Sachin, et al. “Examining the Effect of Withania Somnifera Supplementation on Muscle Strength and Recovery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 12, 2015, p. 43, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26609282, 10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9.

[6] -Rivas, Ana Marcella, et al. “Diagnosing and Managing Low Serum Testosterone.” Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center), vol. 27, no. 4, 1 Oct. 2014, pp. 321–324, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4255853/#:~:text=The%20general%20target%20level%20for. Accessed 21 Jan. 2022.

[7] – “Ashwagandha: Health Benefits, Side Effects, and How to Use.” Www.medicalnewstoday.com, 13 July 2020, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318407#side-effects. Accessed 19 Jan. 2022.