Ashwagandha KSM-66
Root-only ashwagandha extract standardized to ~5% withanolides, licensed by Ixoreal Biomed (India), and the substrate of most of the high-quality T-boost and athletic-performance trials in the ashw… | Compound
Aliases (4)
▸ Overview TL;DR
Root-only ashwagandha extract standardized to ~5% withanolides, licensed by Ixoreal Biomed (India), and the substrate of most of the high-quality T-boost and athletic-performance trials in the ashwagandha literature. Reputation for being more pro-energy / less sedating than Sensoril, with a stronger T-modulation track record. For Dylan: OPTIONAL-ADD low priority; STRONG-CANDIDATE for stress-prone or T-low-normal archetypes. Parent file ashwagandha.md has the full mechanism, evidence, and decision matrix — this file focuses on KSM-66-specific differences vs. Sensoril and other extracts.
▸ Mechanism of action
Same general mechanism as parent ashwagandha entry. KSM-66-specific notes:
- Root-only extraction: Excludes leaf material. Leaf contains higher withaferin A (more potent immune-modulatory and cytotoxic withanolide); root has more withanolide A, withanoside IV/VI (less potent but better-tolerated).
- ~5% withanolides standardization: Lower percentage than Sensoril's ~10%, but root-only positions the withanolide profile differently.
- Patented green chemistry extraction: No alcohol or organic solvent — milk and water based. Marketing claim, but the chemistry is verifiable.
- Pharmacokinetics: Withanolide A peak plasma 4-6 h post-dose; half-life ~6-8 h supports BID dosing.
▸ Pharmacokinetics Approximate
Approximate decay curve drawn from the half-life mention(s) in the source notes. Real PK data not yet ingested per compound.
▸ What to expect Generic
- 1Week 1Tolerability and dose-response.
- 2Week 2-4Early effect window.
- 3Week 4-8Peak benefit assessment.
- 4Week 8+Cycle decision point.
▸ Side effects + safety
Same as parent ashwagandha entry. KSM-66-specific notes:
- Lower withaferin A than Sensoril → potentially lower autoimmune-flare risk (theoretical)
- GI upset somewhat less than Sensoril at equivalent withanolide load (anecdotal)
- Hepatotoxicity case reports exist for ashwagandha generally; KSM-66 has fewer reports than unstandardized products but background rate non-zero
▸Interactions4 compounds
- rhodiolaSynergistic(Dylan's V4): AM-rhodiola + PM-ashwagandha is a classic adaptogen pairing
- magnesium-glycinateSynergistic(Dylan's V4): HPA-axis support
- l-theanineSynergistic(Dylan's V4): Additive calm without sedation
- fish oil / DHASynergistic(Dylan's V4): Independent neuroprotection