The body's response to stress involves a complex interaction between the nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which helps regulate the release of cortisol. Cortisol is an essential hormone involved in energy availability, metabolism, and adaptation to everyday challenges. The goal of a healthy stress response is not to eliminate cortisol, but to maintain appropriate physiological regulation.
At the center of STILLNESS is KSM-66® Ashwagandha, a patented, full-spectrum extract derived from the root of Withania somnifera and standardized to 5% withanolides. These naturally occurring steroidal lactones are among the compounds studied for their biological activity. Standardization helps maintain a consistent concentration of these compounds across production batches.
Clinical research provides an important reason for the interest in this particular ingredient. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 64 adults experiencing chronic stress, participants received 300 mg of a high-concentration ashwagandha root extract twice daily for 60 days. Compared with placebo, the supplemented group showed greater improvements in validated stress-assessment scores and reductions in serum cortisol. This daily amount corresponds to the 600 mg of KSM-66® included in one serving of STILLNESS, although results from an isolated extract cannot be assumed to apply identically to a multi-ingredient formula.
Beyond Ashwagandha, STILLNESS incorporates Panax Ginseng, Maca, and Shatavari, botanicals with distinct traditional uses and emerging areas of scientific investigation. L-Arginine serves as a precursor to nitric oxide, a signaling molecule involved in normal vascular function. Their inclusion provides a complementary formulation approach, although the combined effects of these ingredients in STILLNESS have not been established through clinical trials.
Vitamins B6 and B12 contribute to normal nervous system function and energy metabolism, while vitamin D3 supports normal immune and muscle function. These established nutritional roles complement the formula's primary focus on stress-related physiological processes.
The evidence for Ashwagandha is encouraging but not definitive. Clinical trials remain relatively small, preparations vary, and long-term safety and effectiveness require further investigation. KSM-66® provides a researched foundation for STILLNESS, while the complete formula represents a distinct combination whose overall clinical effects have not been independently established.
