The Claim

Salivary DHEA-S and testosterone levels in overweight middle-aged men increase during ashwagandha supplementation but return to baseline levels 8 weeks after discontinuation, indicating that the elevation is dependent on continued intake.

Source: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
68score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

How it works
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In overweight middle-aged men, salivary DHEA-S and testosterone levels rise while taking ashwagandha but drop back to original levels 8 weeks after stopping, meaning the increase only occurs while the supplement is being taken.

See the scientific wording

The increase in salivary DHEA-S and testosterone observed during ashwagandha supplementation in overweight middle-aged men is not sustained 8 weeks after discontinuation, suggesting the effect requires ongoing intake.

Why this might work

Ashwagandha activates brain signals that tell the pituitary gland to release a hormone that tells the testes to make more testosterone and DHEA-S. When ashwagandha stops, the brain signals return to normal, so hormone levels drop back to where they started.

Supported mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males

    The study found that ashwagandha raised hormone levels in men, but those levels went back down after they stopped taking it — meaning you have to keep taking it to keep the benefit.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

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