Does Ashwagandha Lower Cortisol? What the Trials Show
About this article Written by the Modern Vitality Hub team and checked against NIH sources, published trials and case reports. Not medically reviewed. Published October 16, 2026 · Updated October 16, 2026 · 16 min read Quick answer: Yes, in trials. Standardized ashwagandha root extract lowered cortisol compared with placebo in several randomized trials. One 60-day trial in 64 stressed adults found blood cortisol about 28% lower. The trials in this article used 225 to 600 mg of extract a day for 30 to 90 days. The studies are small, short and mostly from India. Long-term safety is unknown, and a 2026 case report links 950 mg a day for over a year to a suppressed stress-hormone system. Skip it if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have thyroid, liver or autoimmune conditions, or if you take sedatives or thyroid, diabetes, blood pressure or immunosuppressant medication. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist first. Table of contents What cortisol does and why lower isn't always...