For the last two weeks of April, I ran a self-experiment using 500mg liposomal Ashwagandha twice a day—one dose after waking, another before bed.

The version I used was Lipo-Gandha by NeoGenesis (a South African brand), standardized to:

7% Withanolides
0.25% Withaferin A
1% Alkaloids

And formulated in liposomal delivery for better absorption and tissue retention.

What I wanted to see:

⬆️ DHEA-S
⬆️ IGF-1
⬆️ Free T3
⬇️ Cortisol

I was also keeping an eye out for any unexpected subjective effects, but didn’t go in expecting much.

The Wins:

✅ +30 minutes of deep sleep (highest: 2h 55min)
✅ No reduction in REM sleep despite deeper sleep
✅ Faster gym recovery + better strength progression
✅ Greater stress resilience
✅ Very stable, calm mood
✅ Felt like a machine—focused and productive all day at work and in the gym

There was a strong “engine running clean” effect. Not hyped, just capable. I didn’t hit walls or feel drained. Just kept moving.

The Fails:

❌ No increase in DHEA-S
❌ No increase in IGF-1
❌ No increase in free T3 (in fact, T3 dropped slightly)
❌ No change in HRV
❌ No reduction in cortisol or lipids

I was a bit surprised by the blood results, since many studies show Ashwagandha increases T, DHEA-S, and IGF-1. But bloodwork told a different story.

That said, TSH dropped from 2.1 to 1.4, while free T3 went from 4.5 to 4.1. To me, that suggests enhanced T3 sensitivity—meaning less was needed to get the job done. (Unfortunately, my lab doesn’t offer total T3, only free T3.)

Other interesting findings:

> Hemoglobin and hematocrit increased over the reference range, while RBC stayed normal.

This means better oxygen delivery and endurance, and I felt it.
I could finish full workouts using nose breathing only, without even trying. Zero urge to gasp or pant. That’s real metabolic efficiency.

> Cortisol dropped slightly, but not enough to celebrate.

Also worth noting: Too-low cortisol is the real reason some people feel emotionally flat on Ashwagandha. It’s not just the 5-HT1A serotonin theory. In fact, a recent study showed Ashwagandha actually upregulates 5-HT1A expression, which is usually associated with anti-anxiety, pro-motivation effects.

Was it worth it?

Yeah—definitely.

Even though I didn’t get the hormonal boosts I was after, the sleep, recovery, mood, and endurance gains were very real. No side effects—just positives.

I might try another extract next time to compare results, but it’s not high on the priority list right now.

That said—Ashwagandha has been shown to:

Increase testosterone
Improve sexual function
Deepen sleep quality

So if you’re looking for a calming herb that doesn’t kill drive, it’s a solid option.

If you’re looking for more:

📌 [How to boost testosterone by restoring LH receptor sensitivity]
📌 [How to improve erections naturally]
📌 [Top 7 foods that enhance sleep quality]

Until next time,
Hansius

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