What is Ashwaganda good for?

Ashwagandha is known for its ability to reduce chronic stress and cortisol levels, which can result in several health benefits. According to Andrew Huberman, ashwagandha reduces cortisol-associated health problems such as cardiovascular issues, macular degeneration, heart palpitations, and insomnia. Additional benefits of ashwagandha include increased levels of serum T3 and T4 (thyroid hormones), decreased symptoms of OCD, slightly improved memory, decreased pain, and improved sleep quality. It is generally recommended to take ashwagandha in the evening or later in the day to reduce cortisol levels as they naturally decline towards bedtime 1.

However, it is also noted that ashwagandha should be taken responsibly and not continuously in high dosages for more than two weeks at a time, especially without cycling it or getting advice on specific usage 2. Ashwagandha works by engaging with the GABA system and possibly other systems as well 3 and may indirectly increase testosterone levels by lowering cortisol, which shares a synthesis pathway with testosterone 4. Before starting ashwagandha or any other supplements, it is crucial to ensure they are safe for you 5.