Ashwagandha review found lower cortisol without a clear perceived-stress benefit
Pooled randomized trials reported lower cortisol, a biological stress marker, but no statistically significant change in how stressed participants felt. These outcomes should be interpreted separately.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Across the reviewed randomized trials, ashwagandha was linked to lower cortisol levels, but a statistically significant benefit on perceived stress was not established. A change in this biological marker therefore should not be presented as proof that participants felt less stressed. The review also leaves uncertainty about longer-term safety and how results apply to different populations.
Risk of bias was generally moderate, and some studies lacked concealed treatment allocation. The abstract does not describe control treatments or participant characteristics and identifies gaps in long-term safety and effectiveness across diverse populations.
Two measures asked different questions
Cortisol was assessed as a biological stress marker. The Perceived Stress Scale measured participants’ reported stress. Lower cortisol and lower questionnaire scores are distinct outcomes, so the positive biomarker result cannot substitute for evidence of subjective improvement.
The questionnaire result remains uncertain
The perceived-stress analysis did not detect a statistically significant effect. This does not prove that ashwagandha has no effect or that treatments were equivalent. It means the pooled evidence did not clearly establish a difference on that outcome.
The original publication
Dual impact of Ashwagandha: Significant cortisol reduction but no effects on perceived stress - A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Albalawi AA
Nutr Health · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40746175
- Record checked
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