PERFORMANCEXY-OPTIMIZATIONHYPERTROPHY
Ashwagandha KSM-66 for Hypertrophy
2025-03-01//READ: 5 MIN//BY CHEMGRADE RESEARCH
Beyond Stress Relief
Ashwagandha is primarily marketed as an adaptogen for anxiety, but its application in sports performance is clinically significant. The mechanism is twofold: cortisol suppression (reducing muscle catabolism) and enhanced ATP production capacity.
The Wankhede Study (2015)
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, subjects consuming 600mg of KSM-66 daily for 8 weeks demonstrated significantly greater increases in muscle mass and strength compared to placebo.
- Bench Press: +46 kg (Treatment) vs. +26 kg (Placebo)
- Muscle Damage: Significantly lower serum creatine kinase (CK) levels, indicating faster recovery.
- Testosterone: A secondary increase of ~15% was observed, likely due to cortisol reduction.
ChemGrade Verdict
Ashwagandha is a viable hypertrophy agent, specifically for "high-stress" trainees whose gains are stifled by poor recovery. Use 600mg post-workout.
* This analysis is for educational purposes only. ChemGrade does not provide medical advice.
Clinical Context
This compound is frequently utilized in the Sleep Optimization and Cortisol Management protocols.
View Protocol