Ashwagandha Isn’t Harmless: What Science Really Says About This Adaptogen

Ashwagandha is everywhere in the U.S. market. “Stress relief.” “Cortisol balance.” “Hormonal support.” “Better sleep.” “Burnout recovery.”

It’s often presented as a gentle, almost harmless herb — a natural anti-stress solution anyone can take without thinking too much.

That narrative is misleading.

Ashwagandha is not a neutral supplement. When poorly sourced, improperly standardized, overdosed, or taken without understanding its physiology, it can be ineffective — or counterproductive. And yet, low-quality ashwagandha products dominate the market: vague formulations, inconsistent potency, contamination risks, and exaggerated claims.

Behind this ancient root lies a powerful botanical, capable of modulating the HPA axis, influencing cortisol, sleep architecture, thyroid signaling, and overall neuroendocrine balance — for better or worse.

This article is for people who prefer understanding before supplementing.