Ashwagandha

links: Nootropics reference: 4-13-2021

Ashwaganda #

An adaptogenic herb; it can improve cortisol, whether yours is low or high.

• a: Changes in dopamine; b: serotonin; c: GABA

• A guy claimed it made him adhedonic, possibly serotonin syndrome https://raypeatforum.com/community/threads/too-much-ashwagandha-now-serotonin-syndrome-please-help.25017/

• Moderate but significant enhancement in functional sensitivity of 5-HT2, and a reciprocal subsensitivity of 5-HT1A. Adaptive supersensitivity of postsynaptic 5-HT2. R

  • This 5-HT1A desensitization is enough to have given people like Lokzo PSSD. https://www.ergogenic.health/blog/ashwagandha-can-cause-anhedonia-pssd-blunted-emotions-and-apathy

• Reduces anxiety, cortisol, fatigue, insomnia, and symptoms of depression

• May increase exercise performance

• May reduce blood glucose, pressure, and LDL cholesterol and increases HDL

• May modestly increase testosterone and sperm quality

• Increases thyroid hormone levels

• May cause immune system to be more active

• Improves adrenal function

• Increases DHEA-S and Testosterone

• Attenuates compulsive behavior (OCD/ADHD)

Supplementation #

• 5-6 hour half life (other types unknown)

• ~30mg dose recommended on reddit, despite nearly every merchant selling @ 300mg

• Take at night if feeling too calm in the day

• Sensoril is 4x more potent than typical ashwaganda (2.5% vs 10% withanolides.) Supports cardiovascular health, sleep, and fatigue.

• KSM-66 is 5% and has all kinds of tweaking done to it, tailored for stimulation, memory, cognition, strength, and recovery.