The NCAA's Stance on Ashwagandha and All Supplements
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) maintains a strict and unambiguous policy regarding dietary supplements. The key takeaway is that the NCAA does not approve any specific nutritional or dietary supplements, even those that are available over the counter. This policy stems from the unregulated nature of the supplement industry, where products can be contaminated with banned substances not listed on the label. For a student-athlete, this means there is an inherent risk involved with taking any and all supplements, including ashwagandha.
The NCAA has seen student-athletes test positive and lose eligibility after using supplements found to contain banned drugs. Because of this risk, every athlete signs a drug-testing consent form acknowledging they are responsible for whatever they ingest. The NCAA’s stance effectively places the burden of responsibility on the athlete, turning supplement use into a significant gamble for their eligibility and athletic career.
Ashwagandha's Potential Benefits and NCAA Concerns
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb popular in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, often promoted for its ability to help the body manage physical and mental stress. For athletes, potential benefits include reductions in stress and anxiety, improved sleep quality, and enhanced athletic performance such as increased muscle strength and endurance (VO2 max). Some studies also suggest it may increase testosterone levels in men. While these effects may sound appealing to a collegiate athlete seeking a competitive edge, they also represent the very reason the NCAA advises extreme caution.
Ashwagandha’s ability to influence hormonal and physiological systems is precisely what makes it a gray-area substance. Because the NCAA's list of banned substances is not exhaustive and includes "any substance that is chemically related to the class" of banned drugs, a supplement like ashwagandha that affects hormones could be flagged during drug testing. The lack of a comprehensive, approved list means athletes can't definitively know if a substance, especially a plant-derived one with multiple active compounds, will lead to a positive test.
Comparing Certified vs. Uncertified Ashwagandha Supplements
To mitigate risk, third-party certification is essential. Below is a comparison to highlight the difference in safety and risk for NCAA athletes.
| Feature | Third-Party Certified Ashwagandha | Uncertified Ashwagandha |
|---|---|---|
| Risk of Contamination | Greatly reduced; certified products are tested for banned substances. | High; manufacturing processes are not audited for banned substance contamination. |
| Regulatory Oversight | Subjected to rigorous testing and auditing by independent labs (e.g., Informed Sport, NSF Certified for Sport). | Little to no oversight; manufacturers are not required to prove purity or safety before marketing. |
| Product Purity | Verification ensures ingredients match the label and are free of harmful contaminants and banned substances. | No guarantee of purity; products can contain inaccurate ingredient amounts or undisclosed banned substances. |
| NCAA Eligibility Impact | Using certified products reduces but does not eliminate risk; the athlete remains responsible. | Poses a very high risk of a positive drug test, leading to loss of eligibility. |
| Resource for Verification | Student-athletes can use NCAA-approved resources like Drug Free Sport AXIS to check certified products. | Checking via official resources is impossible, as the product has no verified history. |
The Role of Third-Party Testing for Ashwagandha
Given the NCAA's "all-risk" policy, third-party certification is the single most important step for an NCAA athlete considering any supplement. Organizations like Informed Sport or NSF Certified for Sport test supplements for a wide range of banned substances, ensuring the product's contents match its label and are not contaminated with prohibited ingredients. While this does not provide a 100% guarantee, it drastically minimizes the risk compared to taking an uncertified product.
NCAA guidelines specifically advise student-athletes to use certified products if they choose to take supplements. It is the athlete's responsibility to consult with their school's athletics department staff, often a sports dietitian or athletic trainer, and to use resources like Drug Free Sport AXIS to check specific products. For an athlete hoping to use ashwagandha, finding a product certified by one of these reputable organizations is not merely a suggestion—it is a critical safeguard for their athletic future.
Conclusion: Caution is Key for NCAA Athletes
In summary, no NCAA athlete should consider taking ashwagandha without a full understanding of the risks. The NCAA does not approve or endorse supplements, meaning any supplement use carries the potential risk of a positive drug test and subsequent loss of eligibility. For an athlete who has researched ashwagandha and still believes the potential benefits outweigh the risks, the only responsible path forward is to select a product that has been thoroughly tested and certified by a reputable third-party organization. Even then, the risk is not completely eliminated, and consistent consultation with athletic department staff is crucial for making informed decisions. The safest approach is always a food-first nutrition strategy, but for those venturing into supplements, the due diligence required is non-negotiable.
