One of the most common attempts to define stress is “physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension.” Yet, experts still haven’t agreed upon an official definition of “stress,” which deprives us of a reliable method to quantify and measure it. 

Due to the lack of official definitions and reliable measurements, many experts often underestimate or completely ignore the impact of long term stress on the human body.

In reality, stress is not simply a psychological phenomenon and can seriously impact your physical health and well-being. Your body's stress response is controlled by your nervous system, which puts you into a “fight or flight” mode.

“Fight or Flight” is a state in which your body mobilizes its resources and manifests with increased heart rate, faster breathing, changes in digestion and peristalsis, and more!

Unfortunately, when these physical symptoms last over extended periods, they wreak havoc on the body and become a health problem - chronic stress is no longer a healthy and adaptive reaction (1).

Instead, it becomes draining and exhausting, both physically and mentally, leading to many problems and affecting almost every organ and system. Let’s take a detailed look at chronic stress and its impact on each aspect of your health.

Effect of stress on endocrine health and hormones

The endocrine system plays a crucial role in your body's stress response, producing stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.

Unfortunately, chronic stress can lead to persistently elevated cortisol levels in the blood, leading to unfavorable interactions between the different hormones and hormonal imbalance (5). Cortisol causes an increase in blood sugar levels, which forces the pancreas to produce more insulin than usual.

Overexposure to cortisol can also disturb the production of sex hormones and the normal function of the reproductive organs. For example, high cortisol levels have a strong negative effect on the production of testosterone in men (6),

It appears that high cortisol levels may also suppress ovulation and lead to irregular menstruation in women (7).

Effect of stress on the immune system

Studies show that chronic stress can wreak havoc on the human immune system by suppressing pretty much all of its components (8). 

Thus, chronic stressors can significantly diminish your immune defenses and make your body more susceptible to infections. One of the causes of the adverse effects of chronic stress is prolonged overexposure to cortisol.

The stress hormone has potent immunosuppressive effects, which may provide benefits during acute stress responses but lead to a dysregulated immune response if you struggle with chronic stress levels.

Although measuring stress is challenging, researchers have worked hard to develop various questionnaires that report subjective and perceived stress levels. One of the most widely used questionnaires is the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). 

Currently, there are several clinical studies published by independent researchers which show that Ashwagandha supplementation significantly reduces levels of chronic stress and improves PSS scores (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)

Moreover, a systematic review of all studies regarding the effects of Ashwagandha on cortisol also shows significant benefits (14). All the studies investigating serum cortisol levels report significant decreases ranging from 8% to 28% higher than placebo.

Ashwagandha appears to lower cortisol levels and reduce levels of perceived stress thanks to the presence of bioactive molecules known as withanolides and sitoindosides (15). The researchers reveal that they work together to potentiate the benefits of ashwagandha for reducing cortisol levels in the body.

Apart from reducing the production of stress hormones such as cortisol, the bioactive molecules in Ashwagandha may also interact with receptors for neurotransmitters in the brain, which promote calm, such as GABA and serotonin (16, 17).

Remember that, as with most herbal remedies, it will take time before you notice the effects of Ashwagandha on your stress levels and overall well-being. According to scientific research, most individuals who take Ashwagandha experience a reduction in cortisol and stress levels within 2 months of supplementation (18, 19).

So why choose our Ashwagadha over other brands? Good Vibes by Nutririse is one of the few products on the market that offers 100% organic and natural ashwagandha supplements with no additives.

Our Ashwagandha is certified organic by the UDAF, and its 3rd party tested, which guarantees that it is safe, effective, and contaminant free. Good Vibes by Nutririse also contains organic black pepper extract to ensure maximum absorption in your body.

So, If you are looking for a natural and proven way to help your body cope with the symptoms of stress, give ashwagandha a try! This tried and tested ancient remedy has become the daily go-to for thousands of people worldwide to improve feelings of calm and relaxation.

 Note: This article is for informational purposes only and not intended for use as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any dietary supplement.