The claimEvidence B · meta-analysis
Ashwagandha is a testosterone booster
The evidence
Testosterone delta is only ~14-15% in RCT meta — still inside normal physiological variation.
Why the claim spreads
Rides the 'natural testosterone' / biohacking wave; a handful of small studies get amplified by supplement marketing into one sweeping claim.
The mechanism, in brief
The name Ashwagandha comes from Sanskrit, combining 'horse smell' and 'strength of a horse'.
Sources (1)
- Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of Ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 34(3), 255–262.