Withania somnifera extract reduces perceived stress and cortisol in adults

Objective: To evaluate whether standardized Withania somnifera extract reduces perceived stress and cortisol in adults under chronic stress. In this randomized controlled study, participants received ashwagandha extract or placebo for several weeks and completed validated stress questionnaires, salivary or serum cortisol assessments, and sleep-related secondary measures. The active treatment group showed greater reductions in stress scores and modest decreases in cortisol relative to control, with some improvement in subjective wellbeing and fatigue. Benefits were more apparent among individuals with elevated baseline stress, suggesting a response gradient rather than a uniform effect. Tolerability was favorable, with mostly mild gastrointestinal complaints when adverse events were reported. The study supports ashwagandha as an adaptogenic intervention with measurable effects on stress physiology, but the trial duration was short and blinding may have been imperfect due to product characteristics. Additional larger and longer trials are needed to establish durability, dose-response, and relevance to clinical anxiety or burnout.