Tell me more about the health benefits of ashwagandha.

Ashwagandha offers numerous health benefits, primarily through its ability to reduce cortisol levels. Lowering cortisol can lead to decreased stress, anxiety, and improved cardiovascular health. It's also linked to benefits such as reduced heart palpitations, increased thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), decreased symptoms of OCD, lowered heart rate, reduced insomnia, and improved memory and sleep quality. These effects stem from its impact on cortisol, which affects various systems in the body and brain 1.

According to Andrew Huberman, ashwagandha can reduce cortisol levels by 14.5% to 27.9% in stressed individuals, making it highly effective in managing chronic stress and reducing its negative impacts on health. It's been shown to lower anxiety significantly and has mild effects on depression. Ashwagandha can also modestly increase testosterone levels and enhance athletic performance 2 3.

It's essential to consider dosage and usage duration when taking ashwagandha. It is recommended to cycle its use—taking it for a limited period and then stopping to avoid potential negative effects associated with chronic use 4.