There are many health benefits of rhodiola rosea, but here we are going to focus on why rhodiola rosea is perhaps the best natural supplement for increasing energy and stamina.

The first point is the type of energy you get from a good rhodiola supplement is superior to many other ways to get a boost of energy. Caffeine (and even sugar) will provide a boost of energy, but then there is always the looming crash that comes with those. Rhodiola will give you a stable type of long-lasting energy, without the crash. It will also make you feel less stressed and less anxious, as opposed to the nervous or “jittery” feeling that comes with too much caffeine. It is worth noting that some people who love caffeine and tolerate it well, enjoy stacking (or taking together) both rhodiola and caffeine. Many take L-Theanine with it as well.

Rhodiola is great for fighting both mental and physical fatigue. When you don’t sleep enough, when you feel you may have chronic fatigue (tired most days) and/or you often wake up with brain fog, then rhodiola is a perfect choice to have first thing in the morning. It’s also a great choice if you are working out a lot or doing a lot of physical training or labor.

Here is our premium organic rhodiola rosea, (Standardized to 3.5% rosavins & 2.5% salidrosides. Great for increasing energy, and both mental and physical stamina)

To prove rhodiola is great for mental fatigue, a famous study was done where 56 young doctors (during the night shift) were given rhodiola. The study concluded the doctors performed significantly better on their tasks of short term memory, calculation, and cognitive function. Their stress-induced fatigue symptoms went down significantly. Here is a link to that study.

Rhodiola Study

More and more students have been taking rhodiola during exam study periods and experiencing better concentration and test results, in addition to the fact they can study for longer periods of time without falling asleep at their desks.

Another study was done where rhodiola was given to students, physicians, and scientists who were about to embark on 3 weeks of mentally stimulating work – such as studying for and taking final exams. The group taking rhodiola was able to work much longer hours, and their quality of work increased as a result.

The benefits of rhodiola for reducing physical fatigue and increasing stamina are very impressive as well. Rhodiola was a well-known Russian secret during the cold war. Many Russian athletes took rhodiola and performed amazingly well during the olympics. It was also given to Russian political leaders, astronauts, and international financiers to give them a huge edge.

One study showed that when people took 200mg of rhodiola an hour before a workout, they were able to work out significantly longer and harder. They also recovered faster and had less inflammation (lower levels of C-reactive protein). Thus rhodiola also can shorten the recovery time between workouts.

This study showed that rhodiola rosea is effective in treating patients with stress related burnout.

This study showed that rhodiola rosea extract is may be an effective treatment for those suffering from prolonged or chronic fatigue.

This makes rhodiola rosea an amazing pre-workout supplement as well.

An animal study (which likely has similar results in humans) showed that when rats were given rhodiola, they were able to swim 25% further than rats who were not. This is a huge difference in stamina.

In summary, rhodiola is a great natural energy booster. It’s best to take in the morning (on an empty stomach) or an hour before doing something mentally or physically demanding (like working out or studying). It’s best not to take it at nighttime so you don’t interfere with your sleep. It reduces the stress hormone cortisol and improves mood, in addition to increasing your mental and physical energy and stamina.

We searched the world for the best and most potent rhodiola supplement. We were able to source a premium grade, high potency, rhodiola extract from Tibet. It is organic, non-GMO, and standardized to contain very high amounts of the active ingredients (3.5% rosavins and 2.5% salidrosides) Get it here

It is also great with our ashwagandha.

Read more on the benefits of the rhodiola and ashwagandha combination.

We recently came across some important information we want to share about treating the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) using natural supplements.

We generally sell our L-Theanine and Ashwagandha to people who use them for relaxation, reducing anxiety, reducing stress, and improving their moods and sleep.

However a growing number of customers have been telling us that our L-Theanine is really helping them with their Parkinson’s symptoms, specifically their shaking and their problems with REM sleep.

We weren’t aware of these positive results for PD so we looked into the science. There is a study which concluded that L-Theanine directly provided neuroprotection against PD related neurotoxins, and furthermore that L-Theanine may be useful in preventing and controlling the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

So between the science and the positive results we’ve been hearing from customers, we wanted to share this news with anyone who’s searching alternative therapies and natural ways to possibly prevent, slow down, or reverse Parkinson’s for themselves or their loved ones.

Since this information is not really in the mainstream, we don’t want to directly market this supplement for that purpose, but we do feel an obligation to share this with people in case it’s something they’d like to look into for themselves.

Caffeine is another “supplement” which is showing some therapeutic benefits for people with PD. Have a look at this study to learn more.

Caffeine and L-Theanine together is a well known synergistic blend, so it may be something worth looking into for PD, since both supplements individually are showing promise.

Lastly, ashwagandha has shown promise in this study for people with Parkinson’s (as well as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s). Many of our customers take L Theanine and Ashwaganda together (but for a wide variety of different reasons).

Please email us with any of your own experiences and tips so we can share them with more people.

Adderall is an extremely popular pharmaceutical amphetamine, generally prescribed for ADHD. It is also used for obesity, narcolepsy, and enhancing both athletic and cognitive performance. Many patients have had incredible success with it.

Adderall is also often used recreationally. Many students and people in business (without properly diagnosed ADHD) take the drug to help them stay awake longer and focus more on their studying or work. Party goers also use the drug to increase euphoria, sex drive, confidence, and sexual enjoyment. It is classified as a schedule 2 drug, meaning it also has the potential to be dangerously addictive.

There are millions of Canadians and Americans who would like to experience the benefits of Adderall, but with a natural alternative that actually works but doesn’t have the side effects or potential for addiction.
The rest of this article explores the best natural supplements that can be used as effective alternatives to Adderall.

Adderall works by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. It appears to also increase serotonin levels in a secondary way. Dopamine is the pleasure or reward neurotransmitter, norepinephrine is a “stress” neurotransmitter (which gives us increased focus, concentration, and attention) it’s a “fight or flight” hormone. Serotonin is the “happy hormone”, and it’s the one targeted in people with depression.
Adderall, (and also Vyvanse and Adderall XR) is a complex drug. There is no one single supplement which works in exactly the same way. But there are several natural supplements (and combinations) many people are using and experiencing great results as alternatives.

Let’s look at some of the most effective supplement combinations as alternatives to Adderall:

Rhodiola Rosea + Ashwagandha

Rhodiola Rosea and Ashwagandha together is an amazing combination of adaptogens. Both of them block the “stress hormone” cortisol, and both have been shown to be very effective in double blind studies for how they enhance cognition, mental focus, and concentration. Ashwagandha has more of an anxiety-reducing feeling while rhodiola is more energizing.

Both of them also improve mood as well as enhance athletic performance and stamina. The effects are very real and more and more people are loving this combination. (An added bonus is improved sex drive and satisfaction for both men and women)

We use a very strong organic rhodiola from Tibet – standardized to 3.5% rosavins and 2.5% salidrosides. We also have an award winning organic ashwagandha supplement, which has 5% of the active ingredient class of withanolides and is the most researched on the market. The combination is fantastic.

Both are also in Zen+, which is our new and powerful anxiety/focus blend.

L-Theanine and Caffeine

L-Theanine and caffeine is another very effective, fast-acting supplement combination used to improve mood and increase mental focus. The l-theanine takes away the nervous and jittery feeling of caffeine, but it also actually increases a person’s ability to focus more than caffeine alone. It’s a very pleasant and useful combination. Try our pharmaceutical grade l-theanine along with your morning coffee or tea. We also use l-theanine as one of the ingredients in Zen+

5 HTP + L Tryptophan

5 HTP and L Tryptophan both increase serotonin levels in the brain. There are many similarities to them and anti-depression medication. Adderall increases serotonin indirectly, and many people with ADHD also have depression. Also, antidepressants can help some people with ADHD. They can help decrease impulsive behavior, increase attentiveness, and control hyperactivity. Antidepressants aren’t really the same as adderall as they are different classes of medications, but both can help improve focus and concentration. We use both 5 HTP and L Tryptophan in Zen+ as well as our herbal sleep aid.

Acetyl L-Carnitine

Acetyl L-Carnitine is well-known for being a workout supplement. It gives a nice boost of energy and really helps with mental focus and concentration. It’s an amino acid and it’s very fast-acting. A lot of people really like this to increase their ability to focus. Make sure it’s “acetyl l-carnitine” and not “l-carnitine tartrate”. Both are “L-carnitine” but the acetyl form works much better for their cognitive enhancing properties.

Magnesium, B3, B12, and Omega 3’s

I’ve lumped these 3 together because they are nutritional supplements that really should be part of a healthy diet. Many people don’t get enough of these so supplementation is often a good idea. I also lumped these together because although they can be very effective, they are more of a long-term thing. You likely won’t notice them right away like you would with the other supplements. You will experience their benefits over time. We do include magnesium, B3, and B12 in Zen+ as well. You can get omega 3’s in fish oil and flax oil/flax seeds. When you are supplementing with magnesium and those B vitamins, make sure you are getting them in the most absorbable forms – magnesium bisglycinate, B3 in niacinamide form, and B12 in methylcobalamine form.

Zen+

Zen+ is our blockbuster non-drowsy anti-anxiety blend. It reduces stress and anxiety, but also is fantastic for helping people improve their mental focus and concentration. Everyday we’re hearing from customers who are having very positive results from Zen+ and reporting a much better mood, a more relaxed and confident state of mind, and far better cognitive abilities and sharper mental focus.

Zen+ is a combination of organic ashwagandha, organic rhodiola, l-theanine, B3 niacinamide, B12 methylcobalamine, passionflower, magnesium bisglycinate, 5 HTP, and l-tryptophan.

Although originally formulated as an anti-anxiety blend, people are experiencing amazing results with sharper mental focus and ability to concentrate for long periods of time.

Try Zen+ for anxiety, focus, and concentration, and experience the positive results for yourself.

Ashwagandha and Rhodiola Rosea are 2 amazing adaptogenic herbs. Adaptogens work on the entire body and help it function optimally. Because they work on the hormones and help the whole body function in a peak state, they are useful for a wide variety of conditions. They are both incredibly powerful and effective. If you try supplementing with them you will be very impressed with how well you feel.

They share a lot of similarities, but in general, ashwagandha is more relaxing and rhodiola rosea is more energizing. The 2 taken together are incredibly synergistic and give you a calm, focused, and very controlled energy throughout the day.

A lot of people ask, “which is better, rhodiola or ashwaganda”? The answer is honestly that it’s really apples and oranges. Some people prefer one over the other depending on their own biochemistry or purpose of use. But what we’ve found is that most people just love the combination of the two together. I’ll now talk about each of them individually, and then the 2 as a combo.

Let’s start with ashwagandha.

I’ve written a lot about ashwagandha. It has been used for thousands of years and there is now a lot of western scientific evidence proving how effective it is.

Here is a basic list of the benefits of ashwagandha:

• Reduce Anxiety and Stress
• Reduce Depression
• Help with Sleep
• Help People Focus and Concentrate
• Increase Physical and Mental Stamina
• Increase Sex Drive, Performance, and Satisfaction in Both Men and Women
• Improve Memory, Learning, and Cognition
• Improve Muscle Strength, Stamina, and Improve Athletic Performance
• Decrease Inflammation
• Improve Immune System
• Improve Muscle to Body Fat Ratio
• Decrease Cortisol (The body’s stress hormone)
• Increase Testosterone in Men and Regulates Female Hormones in Women
• Improve Mood

In general, ashwagandha gives you a very calm and peaceful state of mind, while helping your physical body function at a higher level.

Note: L-Theanine is another great supplement to combine with ashwagandha.

Now let’s talk about rhodiola rosea.

Rhodiola has been used for thousands of years as well. It was a long-time secret weapon for Russian athletes as it significantly increased their stamina and performance, giving them a huge edge over their American rivals. There was also a famous double blind study on rhodiola given to university students. The results were impressive. Rhodiola was shown to improve their mental stamina and focus, improve their physical fitness, and improve their moods. It’s a great study aid and workout supplement. It’s generally better to take during the day as it’s very energizing and may affect sleep when taken later.

Here is a list of the benefits of rhodiola rosea:

• Increase Energy (smoother and more stable than caffeine)
• Improve Mental Focus and Concentration
• Reduce Anxiety and Stress
• Reduce Depression
• Reduce Cortisol (The body’s stress hormone)
• Anti-Aging in some studies
• Increased Sex Drive and Performance in Both Men and Women
• Improve Physical Performance in Sports
• Great Study Aid
• Improve Mood and Well-Being

As you can see, both rhodiola and ashwagandha have a very impressive list of benefits. You’ll also see that there is a lot of overlap on the benefits.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking they are the same. Rhodiola is much more of an energizing supplement and ashwagandha is much more relaxing. Taking either can be fantastic as we’ve seen a lot of positive experiences with people taking either. But again, the most impressive results are from the people who take both together. They work well together inside the body and produce even stronger benefits than either do alone. Many people love the supplement combination for ADHD

Here are the benefits of ashwaganda and rhodiola taken together in combination:

• Increase Energy (Both Physical and Mental – More controlled and pleasant than caffeine)
• Improve Mental Focus – a Great Study Aid for Tests and Exams
• Reduce Stress and Anxiety – Improve Mood and sense of well-being
• Reduce Depression
• Aphrodisiac – Increase Sex Drive and Performance in Both Men and Women
• Great for Athletic Support – Take before Exercise or Sporting Event to Improve Stamina and Performance

We have an amazingly pure and powerful organic ashwagandha which has a very high concentration of active ingredients (5% withanolides). It’s an international award winner and second to none in quality and effectiveness.
Read more about KSM 66 ashwagandha

We also have the best rhodiola rosea on the market. It’s organic, and it’s grown in perfect soil in the high altitudes of Tibet. We also standardized it to contain high concentrations of both active ingredients (3.5% rosavins & 2.5% salidrosides). It’s very unique and powerful.

This article aims to be a complete and unbiased guide on everything you need to know about natural sleep supplements – How they work, the research, and the supplements themselves.

Over 80 million Canadians and Americans suffer from sleep disorders. Many adults and parents of children with sleep problems worry about the long term side-effects and potential addiction/dependence of pharmaceutical sleep medications. We provide excellent alternatives for people looking for natural supplements that are actually effective for adults and children with various sleep disorders.

Before we dive into the details about each of the various supplements, let’s first discuss how they work to combat insomnia.

How the various sleep supplements work

Sleep is a complex process. In order for a person to fall asleep, stay asleep, and enjoy a high quality sleep, several processes need to take place. If even one of these systems isn’t working properly, a person may find that he or she is unable to sleep well.

As with medications for insomnia, different sleep supplements work differently, and on different mechanisms. Here are the major mechanisms involved in sleep.

** The perfect night’s sleep is achieved through the simultaneous optimization of several different mechanisms. This is what motivated our research team to create our premium natural sleep formula – Sleep-X.

Increase GABA

GABA is the body’s main inhibitory neurotransmitter. Inhibitory basically means it “blocks” or reduces many of the brain’s messages like fear, excitement, worry…

GABA significantly slows down brain activity, making us feel very calm and relaxed.
Supplements and medications which work to increase the effectiveness of the GABA system are commonly prescribed as anxiolytics (anti anxiety) or for helping with sleep.

Popular medications which work on the GABA system are benzodiazapines like Valium, Xanax, and Ativan.

There are many natural supplements which also work very well on the GABA system, like L Theanine for example. Many more are listed below.

GABA supplements and medications work by either increasing the amount of GABA available in the brain, or by increasing the effectiveness of GABA.

GABA medications and supplements can be extremely calming and relaxing – they can make it much easier for us to fall asleep, and help us to sleep longer.

Increase Melatonin

Melatonin is the body’s natural “sleep hormone”. It’s both a natural hormone which is made in the pineal gland, and a supplement we can take.

Melatonin is very powerful and something we need to be careful with. It’s even sold only with a doctor’s prescription in several countries – The UK is just one example.

Melatonin regulates the body’s sleep/wake cycle, or “internal clock”.

We generally have naturally high levels of melatonin at night, and low levels during the day. High levels of melatonin signal the body that it’s time to sleep.

Melatonin supplements are often sold to help with jet lag, because our natural biorhythms get all messed up when we cross several time zones.

If for some reason you don’t sleep much one night, you still may be wide awake in the middle of the following afternoon. This is because your natural melatonin levels are very low during that time – so even though you need sleep, you won’t feel too sleepy because of the low melatonin levels.

Going to sleep around the same time each night is important largely because of our melatonin cycles. We want to make sure we are sleeping when our melatonin is naturally high, and we are awake when it’s low.

Darkness signals us to produce and secrete melatonin, and light signals us to release very low levels of melatonin. This is one reason it’s a terrible idea to look at a TV or computer screen at night and it’s much better to try to be in total darkness before and during sleep hours.

Melatonin is single best selling sleep supplement. It is often sold on its own, and often in doses which are quite high. Our research has shown that it is best to use lower levels of melatonin and combine it with other natural supplements to attain the best quality sleep.

We’ve had incredible feedback from SleepX which is a combination of melatonin plus several other sleep enhancing supplements.

Increase Serotonin

Serotonin is often referred to as the body’s “happy hormone”. Serotonin enhancing medications and supplements are often prescribed as “anti-depression” medication. We’ve all heard of Prozac and other popular SSRI’s (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) like Zoloft, Amitriptaline, and… prescribed for depression because they make us feel better and happier.

What is also true, but less well-known, is that anti-depression medications are also often prescribed for helping with sleep.

When our serotonin levels are optimal and we’re feeling happy and content, we are able to sleep better and more easily.

Supplements like 5 HTP and L Tryptophan are popular and effective for naturally increasing serotonin levels. In addition to being effective natural sleep aids, they are effective for decreasing anxiety and reducing symptoms of depression for many people who take them. Many people who experience general daytime depression and anxiety enjoy supplements like these at night because they not only get a much better night’s sleep, but they also feel calmer and happier the following day. We often hear this from customers who take SleepX

Antihistamine

Did you know that popular brand name over-the-counter sleep aids are most often just an antihistamine? That’s right, they are the same medications that are commonly used for allergies.

Diphenhydramine is the most common one. It is the generic name of Benadryl and ZZZQuil, and the active sleep ingredient in Tylenol PM.

This is not to say that antihistamines don’t work for sleep, it’s just important for consumers to know what is going on and not be fooled by clever marketing. If an antihistamine is really what you want for occasional sleeplessness, you can purchase the generic form of the drug for a cheaper price.

One of the downfalls of using diphenhydramine for sleep is the tolerance builds up very quickly, in as short a time of 3 days. So it’s very important to take this only occasionally as taking it every day could give you serious side effects, not to mention it has been shown to be no more effective than a placebo for sleep after 3 days of use.

Decrease Cortisol

Cortisol is the body’s “stress hormone”. When we are in the “fight or flight” mode, our bodies produce high amounts of cortisol to prepare for some serious action.

When you are in a heated argument with someone, you are excited while playing in a competitive sport, or when you feel scared when you are walking alone at night, you will have naturally high levels of cortisol to prepare you for that situation.

In today’s highly stressed society, a huge % of us have far more cortisol than we need. And high levels of cortisol make it almost impossible to sleep. Imagine trying to sleep right after getting in a huge shouting match with your spouse or boss.

So for many people who have both sleeping difficulty and high levels of cortisol, finding a supplement to help lower cortisol naturally may work wonders for helping them sleep. We have an organic ashwagandha which has been scientifically shown to help significantly reduce cortisol and help people sleep. Our ashwagandha also has wonderful health benefits when taken during the day.

Now let’s look at the sleep supplements themselves

L Theanine – An amazing amino acid. It works quickly and can be taken before bed to help you stay asleep all night and improve overall sleep quality. People who take L Theanine for sleep report waking up very refreshed and with no grogginess. L Theanine can also be taken during the day to help improve mood and decrease anxiety. It increases deep and relaxing alpha brain waves and improves the quality of, and time spent in REM sleep. Read more here about L Theanine and Sleep. It’s also a key ingredient in SleepX

L Theanine and Sleep – Effective dosage: 100 – 250 mg

Melatonin – Melatonin is the most widely known and most purchased sleep supplement. As mentioned above, melatonin is a naturally produced hormone that tells the body when it’s “bedtime”.
People who have jet lag, work shifts, or are night owls often benefit from melatonin. Many people use very high doses of melatonin, which is worrisome for a lot of health care practitioners. Often a low dose of between 1-2 mg is very effective for sleep. Too high a dose can lead to grogginess in the morning, dependency, and other potential side effects. We use a low but effective dose of very pure melatonin in our SleepX.

Melatonin dosage for sleep: 0.5 – 10 mg (**Be careful**)

5 HTP & L Tryptophan – 5-HTP and L-Tryptophan are both quite effective sleep aids. Many people also take them during the day to help with depression and anxiety. They work similarly to SSRI medication and they increase the serotonin levels in the brain. Some people prefer one over the other but both are effective. We actually use a combination of both 5 HTP and L Tryptophan together for maximum effectiveness in SleepX.

5 HTP dosage for sleep: 25 – 150 mg (**Be careful**)
L Tryptophan dosage for sleep: 50-220 mg (**Be careful**)

If you are currently taking anti-depressant medication and/or anxiety medication, you are advised to speak to a health care practitioner before taking L Tryptophan or 5 HTP to avoid too much serotonin in the synapses.

Passionflower – Passionflower has been used as a sedative, a sleep aid, and a muscle relaxant for thousands of years. We put it in SleepX. It’s also in our daytime anxiety formula Zen+.
The type of passionflower used is of great importance. The different strains of the plant and the concentration of active ingredients in the finished product make all the difference. We use a highly potent passionflower extract of 20% flavones. The majority of other passionflowers on the market are 3.5% at the most. So the amount you take in milligrams really depends on the product you are using. Some people also like to make a tea out of passionflower.

Read more here about passionflower for sleep.

Dosage of passionflower for sleep – really depends on the plant and the extract ratios of active ingredients (somewhere between 50 mg and 1 gram)

Magnesium – Magnesium is a great sleep aid. Many experts believe that well over 70% of the population is deficient in magnesium. Proper magnesium supplementation can also provide a whole host of other health benefits in addition to helping with sleep. Magnesium is responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, so getting enough magnesium is essential for overall optimal health.

There is a lot of misinformation about magnesium. You need to understand the form you are getting – many forms don’t absorb well in the body. Most of the cheap magnesium supplements are in the form of magnesium oxide. Not only does it absorb very poorly in this form, but it also causes diarrhea. The best form to use is “magnesium bisglycinate”. It absorbs the best and won’t cause loose stool. Read more here about magnesium bisglycinate. We use it in both SleepX and Zen+. It is very calming and helps relax tight muscles as well.

Magnesium dosage for sleep – Depends on how deficient you are. Range between 20 – 100 mg of “Elemental” magnesium.

Ashwagandha – Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen, a class of herbs which brings the body back to homeostasis. Ashwagandha is known for being very relaxing, and has been shown in double blind scientific studies to reduce both depression and anxiety. Many people use it before bed as a sleep aid. We don’t include it in SleepX, but we do sell the most relaxing form of organic ashwagandha as a single. Many people take it alone, or in combination with SleepX.

It’s also nice for both men and women to take before bed as it also helps rev up libido and improve sexual satisfaction and performance. The mechanism of action is very complex, but one of the things it does is it blocks cortisol, the body’s “stress hormone”. Read more here about ashwagandha

Ashwagandha dosage for sleep – 300 mg of KSM-66 organic ashwagandha. (Other forms of ashwagandha are much less potent and some people need over 1 gram of them to feel something)

Kava Kava – Kava Kava can be an effective sleep aid and anti anxiety herb. We personally don’t offer it because it’s very difficult to source a high quality form of it. Many farmers have stayed away from it as it was taken off the market for many years as it had a lot of bad press for supposedly causing liver problems. That claim has recently been largely overturned and it’s selling again. We don’t comment on the proper dosage of kava kava or the type of strain for sleep as this is outside of our experience, but we wanted to mention it as some people do enjoy this herb for sleep.

Valerian – This is one of the most well-known herbs for sleep. It has been used effectively for thousands of years as an anti-anxiety and sleep aid. We personally don’t use it because it’s similar to passionflower, but we have found a much better form of standardized passionflower to use instead, and valerian has the added challenge of smelling like feet. Even a little of it can really stink up a bottle. Some people do swear by it but we prefer passionflower.

Chamomile – Chamomile is a well-known herb for sleep that is often used in tea form. We actually prefer it in this form. It’s not the strongest sleep aid out there, but a hot cup of chamomile tea is rather calming and does help put people in the mood for sleep. It is also sold as a dry herbal supplement to take in capsule form, but these don’t seem as effective as the teas.

Lemon Balm – Lemon balm is another herbal sleep aid which works similarly to passionflower and valerian. Again, we prefer passionflower as we have sourced an incredibly pure and potent extract of it, and in our own research we’ve found it to be more effective than either valerian or lemon balm. But it is worth mentioning as some people do seem to like it for sleep. Finding a quality source of lemon balm with high amounts of active ingredients can be a challenge as well and should be something to keep in mind.

Tart Cherry – Tart cherry extracts are getting more popular for all kinds of things ranging from sleep to arthritis. The way it appears to work as a sleep aid is to help raise the natural levels of melatonin. It’s certainly not one of the stronger sleep aids, but it is a nice natural one. Tart cherry in concentrated juice form is delicious as well.

B Vitamins – Vitamins B3 (in niacinimide form) and vitamin B6 are also useful for help with sleep. Both vitamins help with the synthesis of serotonin. They work well with 5 HTP and L Tryptophan as well. We use B3 (niacinimide) in SleepX.

Overview

L-Theanine and caffeine is one of the most powerful and impressive supplement combos. Here we take a comprehensive look at everything involving this combination, including how it works, the dosage and ratios, how to take it most effectively, and all the different benefits and uses.

What is L-Theanine and Caffeine used for?

These 2 are taken together for a variety of reasons.

Benefits/Uses for L-Theanine and Caffeine combo:

• Increase overall mental focus
• Increase concentration and attention span
• Increase productivity at work
• Help with studying for exams
• Improve mood
• Improve reaction time
• Mitigate or take away the nervous/jittery effects of coffee
• Improve sense of alertness
• Decrease feeling of sleepiness

Note: More and more people are taking the “l theanine + caffeine” combo to help with their ADHD or ADD symptoms.  So this supplement combo is a very interesting idea to consider as a potential alternative. For more info, we also researched and wrote about supplements for ADHD.

What are the scientific studies for the l-theanine and caffeine combo?

A)  This study looked at the effects of l-theanine and caffeine on mood, cognition, and blood flow.

B)  Here is another study that looked at the effects of l-theanine and caffeine on mood and cognition. 

It concluded that:

“L-theanine and caffeine in combination are beneficial for improving performance on cognitively demanding tasks.”

C)  This study showed that the combination of l-theanine and caffeine improves cognitive performance and increases subjective alertness

How does L-Theanine and Caffeine work?

L-Theanine plus caffeine is a truly synergistic supplement combination. This means that the two supplements work better when taken together than either work alone. They also enhance each other’s benefits.

Let’s start with caffeine.

Caffeine is a stimulant. Most of us are familiar with how a strong morning cup of coffee feels. Here is how it works.

The caffeine molecule has a very similar size and shape to the neurotransmitter adenosine.
Adenosine makes us feel very sleepy when it binds to the adenosine A1 receptor.

Caffeine works by absorbing quickly into the blood and sneaking into the adenosine A1 receptors first, before the real adenosine neurotransmitter has a chance to act.

This means that adenosine can’t work properly because caffeine is already bound to the A1 receptors, “clogging” them up. So the adenosine just builds up in the brain but doesn’t cause sleepiness since it has no receptor site to act upon.

And not only does the caffeine block the sleepiness signals which adenosine normally sends, but this entire situation also sends messages to the brain causing the release of adrenaline (epinephrine), giving us a sustained jolt of energy in addition to the lack of sleepiness.

Also, the excitatory neurotransmitters, glutamate and dopamine, are freed up to work more effectively, giving us even more energy and sense of alertness.

In a nutshell, caffeine blocks our ability to feel sleepy, it causes the release of adrenaline, and it makes dopamine and glutamate more effective in stimulating us.

Caffeine increases adrenaline, increases cortisol, constricts the blood vessels, increases our heart rate, and puts us in the “fight or flight” state.

So caffeine by itself is very impressive in giving us a heightened sense of awareness, focus, concentration, and wakefulness.

BUT, it’s also not a very “clean” form of energy. It can make us very anxious, nervous, and jittery. This is a big price to pay for being “awake and aware”.

L-Theanine is great for helping to lessen the negative effects of caffeine, while increasing the effectiveness of the positive effects.

** Here is some more info on how caffeine works:

How Caffeine works
What Caffeine does in your brain

Now let’s look at L-Theanine.

L-Theanine is an amino acid which absorbs and works immediately. It’s quickly gaining popularity as a supplement because it works so incredibly well too.

L-Theanine increases GABA, and GABA’s effectiveness in the brain. GABA is the body’s main inhibitory neurotransmitter.

GABA is the most prevalent neurotransmitter in the human body with over 40% of neurons having GABA receptor cites. Once a GABA molecule attaches to its receptor, it tells the neuron to “stop firing” or basically shut down.

This effect of stopping the excess neuronal firing is very calming and great for reducing the jitters and anxiety from excess caffeine.

Anxiety is one negative side effect from too much neuronal firing in the brain. The out-of-control thoughts, the needless worry, the pointless panic and fear are from too many neurons firing in the wrong places. L Theanine helps to physically shut down and slow down those signals very quickly.

L Theanine also increases alpha brain wave activity. Alpha brain wave activity is very high during REM sleep and during deep states of mental relaxation and concentration. Alpha brain waves are also high in Zen Buddha masters while they are practicing deep meditation.

So the increase in the effectiveness of GABA from L Theanine helps us remain calm and anxiety/jitter free, thus mitigating the negative effects of caffeine.

The increased alpha brain wave activity helps us to concentrate, focus, and get a job done while still being anxiety free.

In conclusion, the overall effects of L Theanine and caffeine taken together are:

• Increased adrenaline (Increasing energy)
• Increased dopamine and glutamate (energy and alertness)
• Decreased effectiveness of adenosine (Decreasing sleepiness)
• Increased GABA (Lowering anxiety and nervousness)
• Increased alpha brain wave activity (Improving focus/concentration)

This all combines to increase energy, decrease sleepiness, increase mental focus and concentration, decrease anxiety, decrease nervous jitters.

The exact effects depend on the person taking the combo AND on the doses and the ratios of the supplements. See below.

Dosage and Ratio

This is a very subjective question and the ratios and dosages really depend on the person and the purpose of use.
Remember, L Theanine is more relaxing and caffeine is more stimulating. So if you’d like more of an energizing feeling, then try a higher % of caffeine. If you’d like a more relaxing or calming type of focus, then opt for more L Theanine.

Some standard ratios people often try are:

• 2:1 L Theanine to Caffeine
• 1:1 Equal parts of each
• 1:2 L Theanine to Caffeine

As for dosages, this also really depends on the person. We offer a full 250 mg of L Theanine in our premium product. A great place to start is one cup of coffee and one 250 mg capsule.

What else can combine with L Theanine and Caffeine?

If you are taking L Theanine together with caffeine to increase your concentration and focus, you may also wish to try:

• Rhodiola Rosea
• Ashwagandha
• Acetyl L Carnitine
• Zen+

If you taking caffeine + l theanine to reduce stress and anxiety, alleviate depression, and improve mood, you may wish to try:

• Ashwagandha
• 5 HTP and/or L Tryptophan
• Magnesium Bisglycinate
• Passion Flower
• Zen+

How to take:

• With morning coffee
• With tea
• With anhydrous caffeine powder blends (if you don’t like tea or coffee)

We personally prefer a premium quality, high purity L Theanine supplement along with coffee or tea rather than using a caffeine supplement. The reason is that it’s easier to control the amount of caffeine you are getting. If you want more caffeine, then brew a stronger cup of coffee, if you want less, then simply have tea or just a small cup of coffee.

Try out our pharmaceutical grade L-Theanine. We think you’ll love it.

We also have an energy supplement that has caffeine, l-theanine, and rhodiola for an extra boost.

This is a complete guide to natural and effective alternatives for treating ADHD. We’ll also look specifically at both adult ADHD and ADHD in children.

New research proves that ADHD should be viewed on a spectrum. Everyone’s condition is unique. Medical professionals are also now realizing that more and more adults fit into this ADHD spectrum – it’s truly not just a condition for children.

Different supplements work differently for each person. The key is in finding the supplement or combination of supplements that are most effective for you.

An increasing number of people are turning to natural alternatives for their condition because they would prefer to look for a solution with potentially less side effects.

We are by no means against pharmaceutical medications. Many people experience great success with them. We only wish to provide legitimate alternatives for people who are afraid of the side effects or potential dependency of long term use of these medications.  You also need to check with your doctor or healthcare practitioner for your specific case.

We actually developed a powerful combination supplement that was originally intended to be a non-drowsy anti-anxiety supplement which could help people increase their focus and concentration. It’s been very successful for that purpose. But an added benefit we’ve encountered is that many adults and children with ADHD have been experiencing great results using it. In retrospect it makes sense because we combine stimulant-like herbs and adaptogens which sharpen mental focus, with anti-anxiety/anti-depressant like herbs and amino acids.

This product is called Zen+ and it may be of interest to you to take a look at.

Now let’s discuss individual supplements.

L-Theanine

L-Theanine is an amazing and powerful amino acid. It’s found naturally in green tea, and it’s responsible for making tea feel much more calming than coffee, despite its caffeine.

Many people take L theanine to reduce anxiety and improve mood. It is also getting a lot more recognition to help both adults and children with ADHD.

It’s non-drowsy when taken during the day and gives people a very relaxed and “smooth” feeling. It’s also fast-acting and synergistic with caffeine. When taken with a morning coffee (or any other caffeine source) it’s excellent at improving mental focus. It increases both focus and concentration more than caffeine alone, and it will make you feel much less nervous and “jittery” than having coffee alone. It’s a simple combination, but one of the most effective. It’s a great place to start for ADHD if you would like to improve mood, increase mental focus, concentration, and productivity.

We use an incredibly pure, pharmaceutical grade, L-Theanine in our combination formulas and we sell it as a pure single with no added fillers.

Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola rosea is a powerful adaptogen. It helps restore the body to its natural state. It is well-known for increasing energy and improving concentration. It’s a great alternative to caffeine because it provides a lot of energy, but it does so without the nervous jitters or the crash.

Many people swear by rhodiola for ADHD. An increasing number of parents are looking into both rhodiola and/or ashwagandha to help their children with ADHD. Adults can benefit greatly as well. It can be taken alone or in combination with other herbs and aminos.

Rhodiola is a natural herb. The quality of the plant, where it’s grown, and which active ingredients the extract is standardized to matter a lot.

We use an organic rhodiola which is grown at high altitudes in Tibet. We standardize the plant into 3.5% rosavins and 2.5% salidrosides (the main active ingredients of rhodiola rosea).

It’s very pure and strong. A dose of only 100-200 mg is effective.
We offer our organic Tibetan rhodiola as a single ingredient with no added fillers, and in our new anxiety/focus blend, Zen+.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is another adaptogen, but its effects are different than those of rhodiola. Ashwagandha has more relaxing, anti-anxiety, and anti-depressant like effects than rhodiola.

So if you would like a more energizing type of focus for your ADHD symptoms, you may wish to try rhodiola, but if you would like more of a relaxation type focus, then ashwagandha may be the choice for you.

We use a certified organic ashwagandha root extract. It has the most scientific research backing it up and is especially effective for reducing anxiety, depression, and enhancing mental cognition. It contains 5% withanolides (the active ingredient class of ashwagandha).

Ashwagandha is also synergistic with rhodiola.

Many people love taking the 2 together.
We actually use them both in Zen+, our mental focus enhancing supplement.

5-HTP & L-Tryptophan

5 HTP and L Tryptophan are both amino acids known for their ability to increase serotonin levels. Many people use either one to help alleviate their depression.

Their anti-depressant effects make them very useful for some people with ADHD. They can also be combined with stimulant-like supplements such as rhodiola rosea.

Some say that 5 HTP is better because it crosses the blood-brain barrier whereas l tryptophan doesn’t. But we believe that it really depends on the person. Some prefer 5 HTP, some prefer l tryptophan. We use both in our natural sleep aid and our anti-anxiety supplement.

Be careful not to take too much 5 HTP or L Tryptophan. These are very strong supplements. It’s often the case that 15 mg is more than enough 5 HTP for a person. People’s tolerances vary quite a lot on these, but please be careful. Start small and build up if you truly need to.

Caffeine

Caffeine is the world’s most popular stimulant.

It has been proven to be very effective and synergistic when taken along with l theanine to improve mental focus. Again, our l theanine is sold as a premium and pure single, and it’s in Zen+.

Acetyl l-carnitine

Acetyl l carnitine or ALCAR is another powerful amino acid. If you are using carnitine for improving cognition and mental focus, make sure it’s in the “acetyl” form. Another popular form of l carnitine is “L carnitine tartrate”. Tartrate is generally the form that helps with weight loss. They are very different so be careful.
ALCAR has been shown to help children reduce symptoms of ADHD in a controlled study. It’s very energizing. A lot of bodybuilders take it before a workout to give them a boost of both physical and mental energy.

Vitamin B3 (niacinimide form), Magnesium (magnesium bisglycinate form), and standardized ginkgo biloba extract all show some promise for helping with ADHD symptoms. So do omega 3 fish oils.

The reason we don’t include them in the list above is that these are probably less noticeable in the short term. It’s unlikely that someone with strong ADHD symptoms will immediately notice huge results immediately after taking fish oil. But that’s not to say it’s impossible. We just don’t want to put them in the same category.
But fish oils and other omega 3 oils have been shown to be incredibly beneficial to health, as is magnesium supplementation. So these may be things you may wish to look into taking for long term health benefits, in addition to just helping with your condition.

We have a high quality fish oil in natural triglyceride form

Although marketed quite differently, many of the same exact supplements or medications can be used appropriately to treat either sleep problems or anxiety.  Think of benzodiazapines like Valium or Xanax – they are both routinely used to treat either insomnia or anxiety.  And if a medication can potentially be used as a sleep aid, it’s obviously going to make you “drowsy” when you take it during the day.

The opposite is of course true with something like caffeine.  A large cup of coffee will certainly make you feel more awake, but you imagine wanting to drink a coffee to treat your anxiety?

It’s pretty hard to fall asleep if you aren’t drowsy.   It’s also quite difficult to feel anxious if you are incredibly sleepy.  So it certainly makes sense that many anxiety supplements would have a tendency to cause drowsiness.  When we’re anxious, our brains are overactive and there is too much neural firing.  It’s often a similar situation when we can’t sleep.  But when we slow down the extra brain activity to alleviate our anxiety, we often go too far and become sleepy as well.

The problem is, however, that while we do want our daytime anxiety to go away, we also want to remain awake so we can face the day.  This is why a great anxiety supplement is even more difficult to make than a great sleep supplement. Because while we do want an anxiety medication that doesn’t make us tired, but I don’t think anyone has ever requested a sleep medication that doesn’t reduce anxiety!

This guide will focus on natural anxiety supplements for daytime use (non-drowsy), but the concept with medications is quite similar.

Fortunately, despite all their similarities, sleep and anxiety are not the same.  And there are many supplements which do not cause drowsiness, or at least they don’t make people anywhere nearly as sleepy as other ones do.

Non-Drowsy anxiety supplements

L-Theanine

L-Theanine is an amazing amino acid found naturally in green tea.  People take it to reduce anxiety, to help with focus and concentration, to improve mood, and to improve sleep quality.  Even though it does help improve the quality of sleep, for most people it doesn’t cause drowsiness – especially when taken during the day.  It’s also synergistic with caffeine, so it’s great to take with your morning coffee or tea.  It works quickly and is an absolutely wonderful supplement to try – here is our pharmaceutical grade L-Theanine

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a remarkable adaptogen.  An adaptogen basically helps our body function better – the way it’s supposed to.  It brings the body back to homeostasis.  It gives us energy when we’re sleepy during the day, and it helps us fall asleep at night.  There are countless benefits of ashwagandha.

We have sourced an awesome anxiety reducing ashwagandha extract.  It’s certified organic and non-gmo.  It’s a full 5% withanolide root extract.  It has been scientifically proven to reduce anxiety, reduce stress, increase sex drive and sexual performance, and improve memory and cognition.  Learn more about our specific organic ashwagandha.

We also use this same aswhagandha as an ingredient in our anxiety reducing supplement – Zen+

5-HTP

5 HTP is also an amino acid.  It is known to increase serotonin levels in the brain.  It works on a different mechanism than an SSRI like Prozac, but the effects are somewhat similar.  Many people take 5 HTP for depression.  But “depression medication” like SSRI’s, are often also prescribed for many types of anxiety disorders because they can be effective for both.  Generally speaking, anxiety medications which work on the serotonin system cause less drowsiness than ones which work on the GABA system.  It’s important to note that some people do take 5 HTP to help them sleep.  The dose of 5 HTP seems to be very important as too much can certainly cause drowsiness.  We include it, in different doses, in both our outstanding anxiety supplement, and in our natural sleep aid.

Passion Flower

Passion Flower is a well-known herbal supplement which can be effective both as an anxiety supplement and as a sleep aid.  The doses again do matter.  Some people take it for its alleged pain reducing properties and some take is as a natural muscle relaxant.  It can be taken as an herbal extract, in tincture form, and as an herbal tea.  Many people find it quite calming when taken during the day and don’t find it to be as drowsy as some of the other herbal supplements like valerian.  We have sourced a very pure and potent passionflower extract with 20% flavones.  It’s in Zen+, our anti anxiety supplement, and in SleepX

Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral which is essential for over 300 reactions in the human body.  It is said that up to 90% of the population is deficient in this mineral.  Magnesium supplementation has been shown to help with anxiety.  Magnesium is necessary for the body, so supplementing with magnesium could help in a myriad of different ways, especially if you are deficient.

Not all magnesium supplements are created equal.  Many of the common ones on the market don’t absorb very well at all – so be very careful when choosing a magnesium supplement.  We use only the highest absorbing magnesium – magnesium bisglycinate. We use it in both our herbal anxiety supplement and in our natural sleep supplement.

Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola rosea (or just rhodiola), is another adaptogen.  Like ashwagandha, rhodiola is used for many things.  It’s actually often used to increase energy levels.  It’s one of the rare herbs which can possibly increase energy while reducing anxiety.  In high doses, rhodiola can potentially increase anxiety.  It also depends on which strain of rhodiola you use.  We use a premium grade potent form of rhodiola extract – grown at high altitudes in the Tibetan plateau.  We use a small but very useful dose in our anxiety supplement.

Vitamin B3 and B6

Vitamin B6 is directly involved in the production of serotonin.  Tryptophan, which increases serotonin levels, also is a precursor to vitamin B3.  So people who are deficient in vitamin B3 will “use up” all their tryptophan to make B3 and won’t have enough left over for making serotonin.  It’s important to get enough of both of these vitamins.  When supplementing with vitamin B3, make sure to use niacinamide instead of niacin (the commonly used form).  We use niacinamide in both Zen+ and SleepX.

Of course, supplements are only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to alleviating your anxiety. We highly recommend you check out Anxiety Gone for some excellent information as well as an awesome Anxiety Box delivered to your door.

Ashwagandha is an amazing adaptogen and it can be used effectively for many conditions. Here we discuss in detail how ashwagandha works for weight loss.

Note** 2 popular search terms on ashwagandha are, “ashwagandha for weight loss” and “ashwagandha for weight gain”. We will decipher this and explain how this is possible.

A recent scientific study was published showing that ashwagandha was effective in overall weight loss, and in overall fat loss in particular.

This research was done on specifically on KSM-66 ashwagandha. Learn more about KSM-66 ashwagandha.

Many “weight loss” supplements “burn fat” by simply raising the temperature of the body (thermogenisis.) These thermogenic supplements will cause a person to burn calories even while they are sitting around and doing nothing because a higher body temperature requires more energy to operate. One drawback of thermogenics, however, is that they will also burn muscle and other tissue indiscriminately. They unfortunately won’t just target the fat you want to lose in the places you want to lose it.

Ashwagandha works by balancing and optimizing hormones. Hormones are key in understanding fat loss.

The study:

This was a study on a group of 50 healthy men who didn’t smoke or drink. They divided the group into 2, the ashwagandhda group and the control (placebo) group. The experiment was properly done and was double blind.

**Remember, this study was on KSM-66 ashwaganda**

Both groups exercised for 8 weeks on the same program. They measured the bench press max and leg extension max (as well as other exercises and number of reps) for each group at the start and end of the study.

They also measured body composition, and determined that the ashwagandha group burned significantly more fat than the control group.

The ashwagandha group also increased their strength, their lean muscle size, decreased their recovery time, and increased their overall athletic performance.

How does ashwagandha burn fat and help with weight loss?

Ashwagandha’s mechanisms of action are quite complex. Let’s break this down. In men who exercise, ashwagandha can increase testosterone by 17% and decrease cortisol by 28%. This is well documented in scientific literature.

In females, the cortisol levels are also decreased substantially (Women don’t need to worry about the testosterone aspect as it doesn’t apply to them. Ashwagandha is also a great supplement for women)

Increasing testosterone and/or decreasing cortisol both help increase muscle mass and decrease body fat percentage. These also help burn fat in the right places (stomach and mid section, the butt, the upper thighs).
Ashwagandha is often studied in conjunction with exercise as it’s often used as a supplement to improve athletic performance.

So if a person is looking to take ashwagandha supplements for fat loss, they should first make sure they are getting KSM-66 ashwagandha and also that they are on an exercise program.

Remember, ashwagandha is an adaptogen and not a thermogenic, so it’s very possible you won’t burn a bunch of weight if you just sit around and hope that it happens magically like one of those “miracle fat burners” you may see on TV. It is an excellent fat burner, but you must be looking to exercise and probably eat well too while you are taking it.

Ashwagandha for gaining weight:

It’s also possible to gain weight while taking ashwagandha. It all depends on what you do while taking it and how you live.

Increasing testosterone in men is “anabolic”, that means that it can help with not only building muscle, but also has the potential to “build mass” or weight in general. If you were to supplement with ashwagandha and then work out a lot and eat a lot of food for the purpose of gaining mass, strength, and weight, you could likely be successful.

So during a healthy diet and exercise cycle, ashwagandha can help both men and women substantially lose unwanted body fat.

It’s also possible it could help you gain weight if you “pig out” and try to gain weight while supplementing with ashwagandha. It all depends on your purpose and lifestyle choices.

Hormones are very complex, and ashwagandha helps restore hormonal balance. Then it is all up to you how you want to work with your own hormones by your own lifestyle choices.

Ashwagandha is an incredible adaptogenic herb with a huge range of scientifically proven health benefits. Please go here for detailed information on ashwagandha in general.

Over the past few years there have been amazing improvements in the quality of ashwagandha supplements available because of improved growing conditions and superior extraction techniques. The rest of this article will go into detail regarding the specific research and benefits of KSM-66 ashwagandha.

Overview

When having an intelligent conversation about ashwagandha supplementation, it’s essential to specify exactly which ashwagandha supplement you are referring to. The differences between all the various ashwagandha supplements are shockingly large.

KSM-66 ashwagandha is a certified organic and non-GMO form of ashwagandha root extract. It is also incredibly powerful with 5% withanolide content and a full-spectrum profile. There is a growing body of scientific research specifically on KSM-66. You can learn about all the double blind studies and health benefits below.

What are the health benefits of KSM-66 Ashwagandha?

Here we will list the scientifically proven health benefits of KSM-66 ashwagandha. Remember, ashwagandha (in various forms) has been used for thousands of years and there have been thousands of studies done on ashwagandha. KSM-66 ashwagndha in particular has all of the benefits of “regular” ashwagandha plus many more. Click here for a complete list of the benefits of ashwagandha.

KSM-66 has been studied extensively in double blind studies over the past few years and won several international awards. Toward the bottom of this article we go into the details of each study, but here we provide you a list so you can view quickly.

Benefits of KSM-66 Ashwagandha:

• Reduce anxiety
• Reduce stress and the stress hormone cortisol
• Improve memory and cognition (powerful nootropic)
• Increase muscle strength, endurance, and athletic performance
• Improve sexual function and libido in both men and women
• Increase testosterone levels significantly (in men only)
• Balance the hormones and improve health of men, women, and children
• Improve the immune system
• Increase longevity
• Help with weight control
• Improve mood and increase happiness

What is KSM-66 Ashwagandha and why is it better?

KSM-66 ashwagandha is an award winning ashwagandha. It is certified organic and non-GMO, it’s incredibly potent (5% withanolides with less than 1% withaferin A) all measured by HPLC. It is also amazingly safe and pure. It has been the most extensively researched ashwagandha with many extremely impressive double blind clinical studies to back up the benefits. See below.

To understand why KSM-66 is a better form of ashwagandha than other forms on the market, it’s essential we look at both the specifics of KSM-66 as well as look at what qualities make up the best ashwagandha and why.

When we evaluate ashwagandha in general, we look at:

• The particular strain of the plant
• The type of soil it’s grown in
• The climate and conditions it’s grown in
• The extraction procedures (water, harsh chemicals… etc)
• If the ashwagandha is organic or not
• If the ashwagandha has been genetically modified (GMO)
• The percentage of withanolides and other active ingredients
• The part of the plant which was used for extraction
• Whether or not the ashwagandha is “full spectrum”
• How the withanolide content is measured
• The purity of the finished product (mercury, lead, etc levels)
• The brand the finished product is sold under
• The clinical research done on the specific finished product

We searched every single form of ashwagandha on the international market and concluded that KSM-66 was far and away the best form. Here we will touch on each aspect and explain why it’s important.

Organic
KSM-66 ashwagandha is USDA certified organic ashwagandha. Many Canadians and Americans love this organic form, and it is rapidly growing in popularity. Most other ashwagandha on the market is not organic.

Non-GMO
KSM-66 is also certified Non-GMO. Some people mix this up with “organic”, but these are 2 separate things. KSM-66 is BOTH certified organic and 100% non-GMO.

Active ingredient standardization (potency)
KSM-66 is a very powerful standardized form of ashwagandha, and it is also incredibly safe. It is standardized to contain at least 5% withanolide content. The withanoloids are the main active ingredients of ashwagandha, and there are many different withanolides within this class. See below for more details on the withanolide profile.

Which part of the plant is processed?
KSM-66 is a standardized ashwagandha root extract. There are no leaves or any other cheaper or inferior parts thrown into the mix. This is why KSM-66 is also able to guarantee less than 1% withafarin A, a specific and potentially cytotoxic withanolide, even though they have over 5% total withanolides. This is excellent.

Is it full spectrum?
KSM-66 ashwagandha is truly full-spectrum ashwagandha. “Full spectrum” means that the ratios of all the active ingredients and other plant constituents are in the same ratios which are found in nature. This is extremely important. There are hundreds of different active ingredients in the root, the withanolide family being only one group, which work synergistically to give ashwagandha’s health benefits. Harsh extraction techniques isolate only one or two active ingredients and often destroy many others in the process. KSM-66 gives the entire natural active ingredient profile of the best ashwagandha.

HPLC measurement of active ingredient
This is important. Many companies will claim to have a high % of withanolides but they won’t tell you how they measure it. They often use a cheap form of measuring called “gravimetric analyisis”. This often overstates the amount of withanolides by a factor of 3. The reason is that gravimetric analysis is a crude form of measuring and it cannot distinguish between withanolides and certain other components of the plant. Everything gets counted by mistake. KSM-66 uses HPLC measuring to guarantee the 5% withanolide content. This is a precise form of measuring because it looks directly at the withanolides and it includes no other random constituents.

Quality of soil for plant growth
KSM-66 is grown in outstanding soil. It is grown in very well-drained light red soil with a PH between 7.5-8.0. The soil conditions the roots are grown in is probably just as important as the strain of ashwagandha because many bioactive molecules are absorbed from the soil and into the root. Ashwagandha grown in poor or average soil is almost useless clinically.

Climate plant is grown in
KSM-66 is grown in Rajasthan province in India during the rainy season. This is well-known for having the best conditions in the world to grow healthy and therapeutic ashwagandha. This is because of soil make up, rain, sunlight, elevation, and terrain.

Extraction methods – Green Chemistry

KSM-66 uses a patented extraction process in accordance with “green chemistry” principals. They don’t use any of the harsh chemical solvents which are used by most ashwagandha processors. This leaves the KSM 66 as a full spectrum and natural extract where no parts of the root are destroyed or altered in the process.

What is the scientific evidence for KSM-66 Ashwagandha?

KSM-66 ashwagandha has the most impressive human clinical research of any ashwagandha on the market. Here are brief descriptions of the KSM-66 human studies. Many more are also underway and we’ll keep this page updated.

Anti Anxiety and Stress relief

A famous study in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine showed that KSM 66 significantly reduced anxiety and stress levels compared with a placebo.

Serum levels of cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, were reduced by 28% in the ashwagandha group. Also key levels of stress reduction, anti anxiety, anti depression, and insomnia reduction, were reported in the ashwagandha group compared with the placebo. This was across several tests such as the DASS (Depression and anxiety stress scale), the PSS (Perceived Stress Scale), and the GHQ (General Health Questionaire).

The study concluded KSM 66 ashwagandha:

“safely and effectively improves an individual’s resistance towards stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life.”

Sleep

This study showed that KSM 66 ashwagandha significantly benefited sleep quality and improved insomnia.

The study concluded KSM 66 ashwagandha:

“can improve sleep quality and can help in managing insomnia.”

Memory and Cognition

This study showed that KSM-66 was far superior to a placebo in mental functioning, focus and attention, and memory retention. This was illustrated in several important parts of the Wechsler Memory Scale.

The study concluded KSM 66 ashwagandha:

“may be effective in enhancing both immediate and general memory in people with MCI as well as improving executive function, attention, and information processing speed.”

Note: MCI means “Mild Cognitive Impairment”

Energy and Stamina

This study showed that KSM-66 was significantly better to a placebo for increase the VO2 max of athletes, in cardio-respiratory endurance, and also in the self-reported General Health Questionaire (GHQ)

The study concluded KSM 66 ashwagandha:

“enhances the cardiorespiratory endurance and improves QOL in healthy athletic adults.”

Note: QOL means “Quality of Life”

Muscle Strength, Size, and Recovery times

This study combines nicely with the above and the below studies. KSM-66 was far superior to a placebo in increased muscle size in the arms and chest, for increased strength (bench press and leg extensions), and shortened recovery time between intense workouts. It is an outstanding sports supplement.

The study concluded KSM 66 ashwagandha:

“is associated with significant increases in muscle mass and strength and suggests that ashwagandha supplementation may be useful in conjunction with a resistance training program.”

Sexual function and Testosterone Increases in Men

This study, and others, showed that KSM-66 increases testosterone by 17% in men when compared to a placebo. Luteinizing hormone (LH) also increased. It showed increased sperm motility, semen concentration, and semen volume.

The study concluded:

“The present study adds to the evidence on the therapeutic value of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), as attributed in Ayurveda for the treatment of oligospermia leading to infertility.”

Weight management, mood improvement, and increased happiness

This study showed KSM-66 was effective in lowering BMI (Body mass index), lowering cortisol levels (stress hormone), and also improving the scores on the Oxford Happiness Scale – showing improved overall mood, happiness, and optimism.

The study concluded KSM 66 ashwagandha:

“can be used for body weight management in adults under chronic stress.”

Female Sexual Functioning Improvements

This study showed that KSM-66 was effective compared to a placebo at increasing sexual arousal, lubrication, and orgasm intensity and satisfaction in women.

The study concluded KSM 66 ashwagandha:

“may improve sexual function in healthy women.”

Increased Longevity and increased immune function

Studies have been done on animals showing that KSM-66 is much more effective than a placebo in increasing the life span and immune system responses. This is very promising for humans as well. Remember, it’s very difficult to prove something increases the life of humans in a study because of the nature of designing studies and looking at how long humans live. But this is very promising and all arrows point to similarly impressive effects for humans.

The study concluded KSM 66 ashwagandha:

“extends the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans.”

Where can I buy KSM-66 Ashwagandha?

We source the freshest possible batches of KSM-66 ashwagandha and encapsulate it using the purest vegetarian capsules and include zero additives or stearates. Click here to purchase 88Herbs brand KSM-66 Ashwagandha