Image 1 of 2
Image 2 of 2
KSM-66 Ashwagandha Root Extract
KSM-66 Ashwagandha Root Extract – Stress, Sleep & Vitality Support
Nutricost KSM-66 Ashwagandha Root Extract contains KSM-66®, a standardised ashwagandha root extract made from Withania somnifera. Ashwagandha is a traditional Ayurvedic herb often used to support resilience, calm, rest, and vitality. Modern human research has studied KSM-66 and other ashwagandha root extracts for stress, perceived anxiety, sleep quality, physical performance, and men’s reproductive hormone markers.
Potential Health Benefits of KSM-66 Ashwagandha
Supports stress resilience, calm, and healthy cortisol response
May assist sleep quality and relaxation
Supports physical performance and vitality research in studied populations
Further Information
Traditional & Historical Use
Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera, has a long history of use in Ayurveda, where it is traditionally classified as a rasayana — a rejuvenative botanical used to support vitality, resilience, and general wellbeing. KSM-66 is a modern root-only ashwagandha extract used in clinical research, with studies investigating its effects on stress, sleep, strength, recovery, and reproductive health markers.
Stress & Cortisol Research
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of high-concentration ashwagandha root extract found improvements in stress-assessment scores and reductions in serum cortisol after 60 days compared with placebo. Another 8-week randomised placebo-controlled study using ashwagandha root extract reported improvements in perceived stress, anxiety measures, and cortisol levels.
Sleep Quality Research
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials found that ashwagandha extract had a beneficial effect on sleep outcomes in adults, with greater effects reported in people with insomnia, doses of 600 mg/day or higher, and study durations of at least 8 weeks. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements notes that sleep studies have used root extract doses ranging from 250–600 mg/day, including KSM-66 in several trials.
Strength & Physical Performance Research
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in men undertaking resistance training found that ashwagandha root extract was associated with greater increases in muscle strength and muscle size compared with placebo. A systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis also found ashwagandha supplementation was more effective than placebo for selected physical performance outcomes in healthy men and women.
Men’s Vitality & Hormonal Marker Research
Human research has studied ashwagandha root extract in relation to male reproductive health and testosterone markers. One randomised study in adult males reported improvements in subjective sexual wellbeing and increases in serum testosterone, while another resistance-training study reported greater testosterone increases alongside strength and recovery outcomes.
Safety & Considerations
Ashwagandha may be suitable for short-term use in healthy adults, but it is not appropriate for everyone. The NIH notes that ashwagandha should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and some people may experience drowsiness, stomach upset, diarrhoea, or vomiting. Rare cases of liver injury have been reported, and LiverTox advises avoiding rechallenge after suspected ashwagandha-related liver injury. Individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription medications, using thyroid, sedative, immune, blood pressure, or diabetes medications, managing liver disease, thyroid conditions, autoimmune conditions, hormone-sensitive conditions, or any underlying health condition should consult a qualified healthcare professional before use. As with all supplements, use only as directed and seek medical advice before consuming if unsure whether this product is suitable for your individual needs.
References
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
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3573577/Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6979308/Effect of Ashwagandha Extract on Sleep: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8462692/Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep? — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Ashwagandha-HealthProfessional/Examining the Effect of Withania somnifera Supplementation on Muscle Strength and Recovery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4658772/Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Physical Performance: Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8006238/Effect of Standardized Root Extract of Ashwagandha on Sexual Health in Adult Males
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9297375/Ashwagandha — LiverTox, NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548536/
KSM-66 Ashwagandha Root Extract – Stress, Sleep & Vitality Support
Nutricost KSM-66 Ashwagandha Root Extract contains KSM-66®, a standardised ashwagandha root extract made from Withania somnifera. Ashwagandha is a traditional Ayurvedic herb often used to support resilience, calm, rest, and vitality. Modern human research has studied KSM-66 and other ashwagandha root extracts for stress, perceived anxiety, sleep quality, physical performance, and men’s reproductive hormone markers.
Potential Health Benefits of KSM-66 Ashwagandha
Supports stress resilience, calm, and healthy cortisol response
May assist sleep quality and relaxation
Supports physical performance and vitality research in studied populations
Further Information
Traditional & Historical Use
Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera, has a long history of use in Ayurveda, where it is traditionally classified as a rasayana — a rejuvenative botanical used to support vitality, resilience, and general wellbeing. KSM-66 is a modern root-only ashwagandha extract used in clinical research, with studies investigating its effects on stress, sleep, strength, recovery, and reproductive health markers.
Stress & Cortisol Research
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of high-concentration ashwagandha root extract found improvements in stress-assessment scores and reductions in serum cortisol after 60 days compared with placebo. Another 8-week randomised placebo-controlled study using ashwagandha root extract reported improvements in perceived stress, anxiety measures, and cortisol levels.
Sleep Quality Research
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials found that ashwagandha extract had a beneficial effect on sleep outcomes in adults, with greater effects reported in people with insomnia, doses of 600 mg/day or higher, and study durations of at least 8 weeks. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements notes that sleep studies have used root extract doses ranging from 250–600 mg/day, including KSM-66 in several trials.
Strength & Physical Performance Research
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in men undertaking resistance training found that ashwagandha root extract was associated with greater increases in muscle strength and muscle size compared with placebo. A systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis also found ashwagandha supplementation was more effective than placebo for selected physical performance outcomes in healthy men and women.
Men’s Vitality & Hormonal Marker Research
Human research has studied ashwagandha root extract in relation to male reproductive health and testosterone markers. One randomised study in adult males reported improvements in subjective sexual wellbeing and increases in serum testosterone, while another resistance-training study reported greater testosterone increases alongside strength and recovery outcomes.
Safety & Considerations
Ashwagandha may be suitable for short-term use in healthy adults, but it is not appropriate for everyone. The NIH notes that ashwagandha should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and some people may experience drowsiness, stomach upset, diarrhoea, or vomiting. Rare cases of liver injury have been reported, and LiverTox advises avoiding rechallenge after suspected ashwagandha-related liver injury. Individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription medications, using thyroid, sedative, immune, blood pressure, or diabetes medications, managing liver disease, thyroid conditions, autoimmune conditions, hormone-sensitive conditions, or any underlying health condition should consult a qualified healthcare professional before use. As with all supplements, use only as directed and seek medical advice before consuming if unsure whether this product is suitable for your individual needs.
References
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
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3573577/Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6979308/Effect of Ashwagandha Extract on Sleep: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8462692/Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep? — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Ashwagandha-HealthProfessional/Examining the Effect of Withania somnifera Supplementation on Muscle Strength and Recovery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4658772/Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Physical Performance: Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8006238/Effect of Standardized Root Extract of Ashwagandha on Sexual Health in Adult Males
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9297375/Ashwagandha — LiverTox, NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548536/