Herbal extract may turn gym sessions into stress relief and brain boost
NCT ID NCT07803068
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
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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
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About 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2025
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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25 to 40 years
- Sex
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Male participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport
RECRUITINGGdansk, Pomeranian Voivodeship, 80-336, Poland
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