Herbal extract may turn gym sessions into stress relief and brain boost

NCT ID NCT07803068

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now This study
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

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Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Sep 03, 2026 · Last updated Sep 04, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

Researchers are testing whether taking ashwagandha, a plant extract used in traditional medicine, for 12 weeks alongside regular weight training can improve muscle strength, reduce stress hormones, and support sleep and thinking in healthy men aged 25 to 40. Participants will take either ashwagandha or a placebo every day and train three times a week. The study measures changes in blood markers like cortisol and BDNF, as well as strength, sleep quality, and memory. The goal is to see if this natural supplement adds real benefits beyond exercise alone.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Ashwagandha (KSM-66 extract, standardized to 5% withanolides), taken as 400 mg daily in capsule form
What this could lead to
If it works, ashwagandha could become a natural aid for men who lift weights, helping them build strength while easing stress and sharpening focus.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage trial with only 40 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Ashwagandha can cause stomach upset or drowsiness in some people.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 40 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Sep 2025

Expected to finish

Sep 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

25 to 40 years

Sex

Male participants only

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Minimum 6 months of consistent resistance training experience * Participation in at least two resistance training sessions per week * No use of Ashwagandha, adaptogenic supplements, or medications * No medical contraindications and signed informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * History of cardiovascular events, liver disorders, or psychiatric illness * Medical contraindications for participation * Use of nicotine products, including e-cigarettes * BMI \> 29.9, to ensure homogeneity in body composition

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

How to take part

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  1. The places running it

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  2. The official record

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport

    RECRUITING

    Gdansk, Pomeranian Voivodeship, 80-336, Poland

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