Shoden® ashwagandha extract,
does it really help with Sleep quality, sleep onset, and nighttime awakenings?
research showsDirect sleep evidence for Shoden consists of one randomized trial with 150 participants. Of these, 144 completed the six-week study; the primary endpoint was the subjective RSQ-W, actigraphy was secondary, and Arjuna Natural supplied the test product and placebo. The other four trials in the meta-analysis used KSM-66 and cannot be pooled as replication of Shoden, supporting C.
ads claimMarketing often treats ordinary ashwagandha powder, root extracts, and high-potency root-and-leaf Shoden as interchangeable, and converts stress reduction into an insomnia-treatment claim. The evidence supports a short-term adjunctive effect at a specific standardization and dose, not replacement of insomnia treatment or equal effects from all ashwagandha products.
Useful facts when choosing a product
- In South Korea, Shoden® ashwagandha extract is distributed as individually recognized ingredient No. 2022-27, with an official daily intake of 120 mg.
- The pivotal Shoden trial also used 120 mg/day for six weeks. Ordinary powder and products with other withanolide specifications are not dose-equivalent.
- Korean regulatory guidance advises avoidance by infants, children, and pregnant or lactating people, and avoidance with sedative medicines.
- Rare reports of liver injury and possible thyroid or sedative interactions are safety issues separate from the efficacy grade.
What the research actually shows
Deshpande 2020 randomized 150 adults with nonrestorative sleep to Shoden at 120 mg/day or placebo, and 144 completed six weeks. The primary endpoint was the subjective RSQ-W; actigraphy measures of sleep efficiency, total sleep time, sleep-onset latency, and wake after sleep onset were secondary. Arjuna Natural supplied Shoden and placebo capsules. In the 2021 meta-analysis by Cheah, this was the only Shoden trial and the other four used KSM-66. The Langade trial also used KSM-66 at 600 mg/day, not Shoden.
Why this is classified as C (50)
Direct Shoden evidence is limited to one commercially linked 150-participant, six-week trial with a subjective primary endpoint, and four KSM-66 trials are not same-product replication, supporting C with 50 points.
Counterpoint. This is separate from the stress axis in verdict 035 and from KSM-66 sleep evidence, neither of which is pooled into Shoden.
Rejudgment record. Reassessment (cross-check reflected) — Direct Shoden evidence is one six-week RCT with 150 randomized and 144 completers, a subjective RSQ-W primary endpoint, secondary actigraphy, and Arjuna Natural support; the other four trials used KSM-66
Cross-check — Codex and Claude
Evidence Table
| Study | Design | Sample | Funding | Endpoint | Result | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deshpande A et al. 2020 | Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial | 150 | Partly supported by the Shoden manufacturer | Restorative-sleep questionnaire and actigraphy sleep-onset latency, sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and WASO | Shoden 120 mg/day for six weeks improved subjective sleep and several actigraphy measures versus placebo. | Key |
| Cheah KL et al. 2021 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | 400 | Academic review; some included trials had manufacturer support | Sleep quality and quantity, PSQI, sleep-onset latency, and WASO | Only one of five trials directly tested Shoden; the other four used KSM-66 and cannot count as Shoden replication. | Key |
| Langade D et al. 2021 | Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial | 40 | Product linkage unclear | PSQI, sleep-onset latency, total sleep time, WASO, and sleep efficiency | Sleep signals came from KSM-66 at 600 mg/day, not a direct Shoden trial. | Supportive |
Receipt — 3 References
All 3 cited sources were verified for existence at the original page (as of 2026-07-17).
Reviewed and approved: Chamgap Editorial Team · Approval date: 2026-07-17 · Corrections: none
Cite this verdict
[Chamgap] Shoden® ashwagandha extract x sleep quality, sleep onset, and nighttime awakenings — Evidence Grade C·50. 3 cited sources checked. Source: https://chamgap.com/en/verdicts/sleep/shoden-ashwagandha-sleep-quality-onset-awakenings/ · CC BY 4.0CC BY 4.0 — free to use with attribution; do not distort grades, numbers, or verdict meaning.
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