Nootropics Depot Ashwagandha Review: KSM-66 Vs Shoden

Nootropics Depot’s ashwagandha lineup is one of the better ways to buy this herb, because it sells the two best-studied branded extracts, KSM-66 and Shoden, at doses that line up with human trials. Our verdict: choose KSM-66 if you want the larger body of research on stress at the lowest cost per day; choose Shoden if you want a one-capsule dose that matches a sleep trial. Either way, ashwagandha has rare but real liver and thyroid risks you should know about before you start.

This is a research-based review. We did not personally test these products; we compared ND’s label claims (checked on nootropicsdepot.com) against the published studies.

Disclosure: nootropic.org/ may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, including as an Amazon Associate. This never affects which products we recommend. Learn more.

Nootropics Depot Ashwagandha Products: The Facts

Here is what ND lists for each ashwagandha product, as shown on nootropicsdepot.com at the time of writing. Prices are the starting price for the smallest bottle and change often.

Product	Extract	Standardization	Per Capsule	Sizes	Starting Price
KSM-66 Capsules	KSM-66 root extract	5% withanolides	300 mg	90, 180, 365 ct	$19.99 (90 ct)
Shoden Ashwagandha Capsules	Shoden root and leaf extract	35% withanolide glycosides (HPLC/UPLC)	120 mg	30, 90 ct	$19.99 (30 ct)
Sensoril Ashwagandha Capsules	Sensoril root and leaf extract	Minimum 10% withanolides	125 mg	90, 180 ct	$19.99 (90 ct)
Ashwagandha Extract Tablets	Root extract	9% withanolides (HPLC)	300 mg per tablet	90, 180 ct	$19.99 (90 ct)

ND also sells KSM-66, Shoden and Sensoril as bulk powders. Its product pages describe the extracts as third-party lab tested, and ND says it publishes certificates of analysis (COAs) for its products, which our main Nootropics Depot review covers in detail. On the Shoden page, ND says it worked with Arjuna Natural, the maker of Shoden, on methods to measure a wider range of withanolides than standard tests capture.

This review focuses on KSM-66 and Shoden, the two extracts most people are choosing between and the two with the most human trials behind their specific formulation.

KSM-66 Vs Shoden: Why The Withanolide Percentages Aren’t Comparable

At first glance Shoden looks seven times stronger: 35% versus 5%. That comparison doesn’t hold up, for three reasons:

• Different compounds are measured. Shoden is standardized to withanolide glycosides, while KSM-66 is standardized to total withanolides. ND itself notes that many tests measure only a handful of the dozens of withanolides the plant makes, so the percentage depends heavily on the method.
• Different plant parts. KSM-66 is root-only. Shoden (and Sensoril) use root and leaf, which have a different chemical profile.
• Withanolides aren’t the whole story. Nobody has shown that withanolide content alone predicts the effect. What we actually know is that a specific extract at a specific dose produced a specific result in a trial.

So the practical way to compare them is dose-for-dose against their own studies, not percentage against percentage.

What The Research Shows At ND’s Doses

For a full overview of the herb, see our ashwagandha ingredient guide. Below are the trials most relevant to ND’s two main products.

KSM-66-Type Root Extract: Stress And Cortisol

In a 60-day trial of 64 adults with chronic stress, a high-concentration full-spectrum root extract taken as 300 mg twice daily (600 mg a day) significantly reduced scores on every stress scale used and lowered serum cortisol compared with placebo, with mild side effects similar to placebo.^[1]

An eight-week trial in 60 stressed adults compared 250 mg a day and 600 mg a day of a root extract against placebo. Both doses reduced perceived stress and cortisol, with stronger results at 600 mg, and sleep quality improved versus placebo.^[2] These trials are usually cited for KSM-66, and the doses map neatly onto ND’s 300 mg capsule: one or two a day.

Shoden: Stress, Sleep And Hormones

In a 60-day trial of 60 stressed adults, 240 mg a day of Shoden produced a significant drop in anxiety on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale compared with placebo, while the reduction on the DASS-21 questionnaire narrowly missed significance. No adverse events were reported.^[3]

A larger six-week trial gave 150 healthy adults with non-restorative sleep 120 mg of Shoden once daily. Self-reported sleep quality improved by 72% in the ashwagandha group versus 29% with placebo, with no dropouts due to adverse events.^[4] That is exactly one ND Shoden capsule.

In overweight men aged 40 to 70 with mild fatigue, Shoden delivering 21 mg of withanolide glycosides a day for eight weeks raised DHEA-S by 18% and testosterone by 14.7% more than placebo, but did not significantly improve fatigue, vigor or sexual well-being compared with placebo.^[5] Treat Shoden as a stress and sleep product, not a testosterone booster.

How Strong Is The Overall Evidence?

A 2022 meta-analysis of 12 trials (1,002 participants) found ashwagandha reduced anxiety and stress compared with placebo.^[6] The effects looked large, but heterogeneity was very high and most trials were small, short and run in India with extract manufacturers involved. We rate the evidence for stress as Moderate and for sleep as Moderate; for direct cognitive or “nootropic” benefits, it’s Limited.

Goal	Extract And Daily Dose Studied	Duration	ND Capsules Per Day
Chronic stress, cortisol	Root extract, 600 mg[1]	60 days	2 KSM-66
Stress, sleep	Root extract, 250 or 600 mg[2]	8 weeks	1–2 KSM-66
Anxiety	Shoden, 240 mg[3]	60 days	2 Shoden
Sleep quality	Shoden, 120 mg[4]	6 weeks	1 Shoden

Cost Per Studied Dose

Using the starting prices above (smallest bottles, at the time of writing):

• KSM-66: $19.99 for 90 capsules is about $0.22 per capsule, so roughly $0.22 a day at 300 mg or $0.44 a day at 600 mg.
• Shoden: $19.99 for 30 capsules is about $0.67 per capsule, so roughly $0.67 a day at the 120 mg sleep dose or $1.33 a day at the 240 mg stress dose. The 90-count bottle may bring that down; check the current price.

On cost alone, KSM-66 is the better value. Shoden’s advantage is convenience: one small capsule matches a trial dose.

Which Nootropics Depot Ashwagandha Should You Choose?

• Choose KSM-66 if your main goal is daytime stress, you want the most-replicated dose range (300 to 600 mg) and you care about cost per day.
• Choose Shoden if sleep quality is your main goal, or you prefer a single small capsule. Start with 120 mg, the dose used in the sleep trial.
• Sensoril or the 9% tablets are reasonable products, but we didn’t find trials as closely matched to ND’s specific doses, so we don’t make them our first pick.
• Not sure ashwagandha fits? If fatigue rather than stress is your issue, our ashwagandha vs rhodiola comparison may help, and our adaptogens guide covers the wider category. For a calmer-focus option without ashwagandha’s safety caveats, look at L-theanine.

Side Effects, Liver Injury And Thyroid Cautions

In the trials above, side effects were mild and similar to placebo, or none were reported.^[1][3] The bigger issues are rare but serious:

Liver Injury

A case series from Iceland and the US Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network described five patients who developed jaundice, nausea, itching and abdominal discomfort 2 to 12 weeks after starting ashwagandha. The injury was cholestatic or mixed, no one developed liver failure, and liver tests normalized within one to five months in the four patients who were followed up.^[7] LiverTox, the NIH’s drug-induced liver injury database, describes clinically apparent liver injury from ashwagandha as rare, usually appearing within two to twelve weeks, and notes that rare severe cases have occurred, mainly in people with preexisting liver disease.^[8] Stop and see a doctor if you notice dark urine, yellowing skin or eyes, or persistent itching.

Thyroid Effects

In an eight-week trial in people with subclinical hypothyroidism, 600 mg a day of root extract significantly lowered TSH and raised T3 and T4 compared with placebo.^[9] That may sound helpful, but it means ashwagandha can shift thyroid levels. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements also notes case reports of thyrotoxicosis and says ashwagandha might interact with thyroid hormone medication.^[10] If you have a thyroid condition or take levothyroxine, talk to your doctor first.

Who Should Avoid It

The NIH ODS notes that some experts advise against ashwagandha during pregnancy and that it might interact with diabetes drugs, blood pressure drugs, immunosuppressants and sedatives.^[10] Avoid it if you are pregnant or have liver disease, and check with your doctor if you take any of those medications or have an autoimmune condition. Our nootropic side effects guide covers general precautions.

Where To Buy Nootropics Depot Ashwagandha

You can buy direct from nootropicsdepot.com, where purchases earn ND Insider Rewards points (see our Nootropics Depot coupon and discount guide), or through ND’s authorized Amazon store. On Amazon, buy only from listings marked “Sold by Nootropics Depot” to avoid unauthorized resellers. Whichever you choose, check that the COA matches the product before you start.

Nootropics Depot Ashwagandha FAQs

Is Nootropics Depot Ashwagandha Good Quality?

ND sells branded, standardized extracts and describes its products as third-party lab tested with published COAs. That’s a stronger quality signal than most brands offer, though COAs are still company documents, so check that the batch matches your bottle.

Is Shoden Better Than KSM-66?

Not in any way the research shows. Both have positive trials for stress, and Shoden has a trial for sleep at 120 mg. Shoden’s higher withanolide percentage reflects a different extract and test method, not proven extra benefit. KSM-66 is cheaper per studied dose.

What Is The Best Ashwagandha To Buy?

The best ashwagandha is a named, standardized extract taken at the dose used in its trials, from a brand that tests each batch. ND’s KSM-66 and Shoden both qualify. Generic root powder without standardization is harder to dose.

How Much Nootropics Depot Ashwagandha Should I Take?

Trials used 250 to 600 mg a day of KSM-66-type root extract and 120 to 240 mg a day of Shoden. That means one to two KSM-66 capsules or one to two Shoden capsules. Don’t combine both at full dose.

Can I Take Ashwagandha Every Day?

Most trials ran 6 to 12 weeks, so long-term daily safety data are limited. Given the liver and thyroid reports, it is sensible to reassess with your doctor after a two- to three-month course rather than taking it indefinitely.

What If Shoden Or KSM-66 Doesn’t Agree With Me?

Stop taking it. Individual responses vary, and if one extract doesn’t suit you, the other is a reasonable alternative to discuss with your doctor. Stop immediately and seek care if you notice signs of liver problems such as yellowing skin or dark urine.

References

1. Chandrasekhar K, et al. 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 J Psychol Med. 2012;34(3):255-262. PubMed
2. Salve J, et al. Adaptogenic and anxiolytic effects of ashwagandha root extract in healthy adults: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study. Cureus. 2019;11(12):e6466. PubMed
3. Lopresti AL, et al. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(37):e17186. PubMed
4. Deshpande A, et al. A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study to evaluate the effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep quality in healthy adults. Sleep Med. 2020;72:28-36. PubMed
5. Lopresti AL, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study examining the hormonal and vitality effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in aging, overweight males. Am J Mens Health. 2019;13(2):1557988319835985. PubMed
6. Akhgarjand C, et al. Does ashwagandha supplementation have a beneficial effect on the management of anxiety and stress? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytother Res. 2022;36(11):4115-4124. PubMed
7. Björnsson HK, et al. Ashwagandha-induced liver injury: a case series from Iceland and the US Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network. Liver Int. 2020;40(4):825-829. PubMed
8. LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. Ashwagandha. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Updated December 3, 2024. NCBI Bookshelf
9. Sharma AK, et al. Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in subclinical hypothyroid patients: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(3):243-248. PubMed
10. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Ashwagandha: Is It Helpful for Stress, Anxiety, or Sleep? Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH ODS