Comparison
Ashwagandha vs DHEA
Side-by-side of Ashwagandha and DHEA. Every row below is pulled from the compound schema and will update as our data grows. For deeper reads, follow through to each compound page.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha supplement guide: KSM-66 and Sensoril extracts at 300-600 mg/day cut morning cortisol and stress in RCTs. Dose, side effects, testosterone data.
DHEA
DHEA supplement profile: adrenal androgen precursor, typical 25-50 mg dose, DHEA-S targets, evidence for adrenal insufficiency and vaginal atrophy, side effec.
Effects at a glance
Ashwagandha
- •Reduces morning serum cortisol by ~20 to 30% at 300 to 600 mg/day standardized extract over 8 weeks
- •Lowers subjective stress on DASS-21 and PSS scales versus placebo in chronically stressed adults
- •Modest grip-strength and 1-RM gains of ~5 to 8% in trained men when paired with resistance training
- •Improves self-reported sleep quality and onset latency in adults with insomnia symptoms
- •Small testosterone increases (~10 to 15%) reported in stressed or subfertile men, less clear in healthy populations
- •May raise free T3 and T4; can interact with levothyroxine and unmask subclinical hyperthyroidism
DHEA
- •Adrenal androgen precursor; serum DHEA-S declines progressively after the third decade of life
- •OTC dietary supplement in US under DSHEA 1994; prescription in EU, UK, Canada, Australia
- •FDA approved as Intrarosa (6.5 mg vaginal insert) for postmenopausal dyspareunia in 2016
- •Acts as tissue-specific prohormone converted intracrinologically to testosterone and estrogens
- •Best evidence: adrenal insufficiency replacement and vaginal atrophy; weaker on cognition and longevity
- •WADA banned in competitive sport; banned in NCAA, MLB, NFL, IOC settings
Side-by-side
| Attribute | Ashwagandha | DHEA |
|---|---|---|
| Category | natural | hormone |
| Also known as | Withania somnifera, KSM-66, Sensoril | dehydroepiandrosterone, prasterone, Intrarosa |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 10 | 12 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 600 | 25 |
| Dosing frequency | daily | daily, typically morning |
| Routes | oral | oral, vaginal, topical |
| Onset (hr) | 2 | 1 |
| Peak (hr) | - | 1 |
| Molecular weight | - | 288.42 |
| Molecular formula | - | C19H28O2 |
| Mechanism | GABAergic modulation and HPA-axis attenuation; withanolides reduce cortisol secretion and inhibit NF-kB signaling. | Steroid prohormone converted intracrinologically to testosterone and estrogens in target tissues; also exerts direct effects via sigma-1 receptor, GABA-A modulation, and glucocorticoid receptor interaction. |
| Legal status | Dietary supplement in most jurisdictions; regulated in Denmark | OTC supplement in US (DSHEA 1994); prescription in EU, UK, Canada, Australia |
| WADA status | allowed | banned |
| DEA / Rx | OTC supplement | OTC supplement in US (not scheduled); Rx in EU, UK, Canada, Australia |
| Pregnancy | Not recommended | Contraindicated in pregnancy |
| CAS | - | 53-43-0 |
| PubChem CID | - | 5881 |
| Wikidata | Q310109 | Q411733 |
Safety profile
Ashwagandha
Common side effects
- mild GI upset
- drowsiness
- headache
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- autoimmune disease (theoretical immune stimulation)
- hyperthyroidism
- concurrent sedative use
Interactions
- benzodiazepines: additive CNS depression(moderate)
- thyroid hormone (levothyroxine): may raise T3/T4, altering dose requirements(moderate)
- immunosuppressants: theoretical antagonism via immune stimulation(moderate)
DHEA
Common side effects
- acne
- oily skin
- hirsutism (women)
- gynecomastia (men, higher doses)
- irritability
- insomnia
Contraindications
- hormone-sensitive cancer (breast, ovarian, prostate)
- active liver disease
- uncontrolled lipid disorder
- pregnancy and lactation
Interactions
- warfarin: case reports of altered INR; monitor(moderate)
- estrogens (HRT): additive estrogenic effect via conversion; monitor(moderate)
- insulin: may improve insulin sensitivity slightly; monitor glucose(minor)
- anastrozole: may reduce DHEA-derived estrogen; clinical relevance unclear(minor)
Which Should You Take?
Ashwagandha and DHEA score evenly on the criteria we weight (goal breadth, legal accessibility, evidence depth). The conditionals below should drive the decision more than any aggregate score.
- → If your priority is stress and HPA-axis regulation, pick Ashwagandha.
- → If your priority is focus or working memory, pick Ashwagandha.
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick DHEA.
Edge case: DHEA is contraindicated in pregnancy; Ashwagandha is the safer pick if that applies.
Default choice: either is defensible. Ashwagandha edges out on goal breadth + legal accessibility; DHEA is the right call if your priority sits in the goals listed above.
This verdict is generated from each compound's schema (goals, legal status, evidence outcomes, dosing route). It updates automatically as our compound data evolves; the deeper read sits on each individual compound page.
Common questions
What is the difference between Ashwagandha and DHEA?
Ashwagandha and DHEA differ in category (natural vs hormone), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, Ashwagandha or DHEA?
Ashwagandha half-life is 10 hours; DHEA half-life is 12 hours.
Can you stack Ashwagandha with DHEA?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
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