What was studied: Five randomised, placebo-controlled studies with a total of 400 participants were analysed to summarise ashwagandha's effect on sleep quality.

What the results showed: The analysis found a clear positive effect on overall sleep quality. The effect was most pronounced in individuals with sleep difficulties and at doses above 600 mg/day.

Reference: Cheah KL et al. (2021). "Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis." PLOS ONE, 16(9), e0257843.

What was studied: 64 adults with chronic stress received either ashwagandha extract (300 mg twice daily) or placebo for 60 days in a double-blind, randomised trial.

What the results showed: The group receiving ashwagandha showed a notable reduction in perceived stress across all assessment scales, along with lower serum cortisol levels compared to the placebo group.

Reference: Chandrasekhar K et al. (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.

Note: This study used KSM-66 (a standardised extract, 5% withanolides). Our product is whole root powder, 650 mg twice daily.

What was studied: 50 healthy, athletic adults received either ashwagandha root extract (300 mg twice daily) or placebo for 8 weeks in a double-blind, randomised trial. Cardiorespiratory endurance was measured via VO2max.

What the results showed: The ashwagandha group showed a clear improvement in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), along with better recovery and lower perceived fatigue compared to the placebo group.

Reference: Tiwari S et al. (2021). "A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial on the effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera dunal.) root extract in improving cardiorespiratory endurance and recovery in healthy athletic adults." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 272, 113929.

What was studied: 30 Japanese men and women (aged 50–80) with mild cognitive impairment received either Lion's Mane (3 g/day) or placebo for 16 weeks in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

What the results showed: The group receiving Lion's Mane showed improved scores on cognitive function scales compared to the placebo group. The effect faded four weeks after supplementation ended.

Reference: Mori K et al. (2009). "Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial." Phytotherapy Research, 23(3), 367–372.

What was studied: Healthy adults received Lion's Mane (2.4 g/day) or placebo for 12 weeks in a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE).

What the results showed: The group receiving Lion's Mane showed improved MMSE scores. The researchers suggested that several chemical compounds in the mushroom, among them hericenones, may affect the brain's neural networks.

Reference: Saitsu Y et al. (2019). "Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus." Biomedical Research, 40(4), 125–131.

What was studied: 41 healthy adults (aged 18–45) received either Lion's Mane (1.8 g/day) or placebo for 28 days in a double-blind, randomised pilot study. Acute cognitive effects were measured 60 minutes after a single dose.

What the results showed: Participants receiving Lion's Mane performed measurably faster on the Stroop test (a measure of cognitive flexibility) as early as 60 minutes after a single dose. A trend towards reduced subjective stress was observed after 28 days of supplementation.

Reference: Docherty S et al. (2023). "The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study." Nutrients, 15(22), 4842.

Note: Pilot study with a small participant group (41 people). The results point in the right direction but need to be confirmed in larger studies.

What was studied: 75 healthy men (aged 45–55) received either purified shilajit (250 mg twice daily, standardised to 50%+ fulvic acid) or placebo for 90 days in a double-blind, randomised trial.

What the results showed: The researchers observed clear changes in several hormonal markers in the shilajit group compared to placebo, among them DHEAS. No adverse effects were reported.

Reference: Pandit S et al. (2016). "Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers." Andrologia, 48(5), 570–575.

What was studied: 63 men received either shilajit (250 mg or 500 mg/day) or placebo for 8 weeks in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Muscle strength and fatigue were measured via isometric and isokinetic tests.

What the results showed: The shilajit group better preserved muscle strength after the fatigue protocol and showed lower levels of serum hydroxyproline (a marker of collagen breakdown) compared to placebo, suggesting a protective effect on connective tissue and musculature.

Reference: Keller JL et al. (2019). "The effects of Shilajit supplementation on fatigue-induced decreases in muscular strength and serum hydroxyproline levels." Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 16(1), 3.

What was studied: Healthy adults received shilajit orally over a controlled period. Researchers at Ohio State University analysed how supplementation affected gene expression in skeletal muscle.

What the results showed: Shilajit supplementation was linked to upregulation of genes related to collagen production and extracellular matrix, mechanisms that support connective tissue health and muscular integrity.

Reference: Das A et al. (2016). "Clinical evaluation of the effect of shilajit on the human skeletal muscle transcriptome." Journal of Medicinal Food, 19(7), 701–709.

What was studied: Water-based and ethanol-based extracts of chaga from Finland, Russia and Thailand were analysed for antioxidant activity, antimicrobial properties, and effects on tumour cell lines in a laboratory setting.

What the results showed: Chaga extracts exhibited high antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effects on four tumour cell lines without affecting normal liver cells. The results are interesting but have not been confirmed in human studies.

Reference: Glamočlija J et al. (2015). "Chemical characterization and biological activity of Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), a medicinal 'mushroom'." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 162, 323–332.

Note: In vitro study (laboratory setting). Results from cell studies cannot be directly transferred to effects in the human body.

What was studied: Polysaccharides from chaga were given to mice that then underwent a swim test to exhaustion. Blood samples and tissue analysis were performed.

What the results showed: Mice that received chaga polysaccharides swam longer before exhaustion. Blood lactate and urea nitrogen were lower, and glycogen content in liver and muscles was higher, suggesting improved energy metabolism.

Reference: Xiuhong Z et al. (2015). "Anti-fatigue activity of a polysaccharide from Inonotus obliquus." Journal of Functional Foods.

Note: Animal study (mice). Results from animal models cannot be directly transferred to effects in humans.

What was studied: A research review compiled available scientific literature on chaga's bioactive compounds and documented effects, among them anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic and immunomodulating properties.

What the results showed: The review confirms that chaga contains several bioactive compounds (polysaccharides, triterpenoids, polyphenols and lignin metabolites) with documented biological activity in laboratory and animal models. The authors stress the need for clinical human studies.

Reference: Ern PTY et al. (2023). "Therapeutic properties of Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom): A review." Mycology, 15(2), 144–161.