PS The Goods® - Our Articles + Blogs
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Ashwagandha + Stress: What does the research say?
Ashwagandha is one of the most clinically studied herbs for stress support, and the evidence is more substantive than most supplement ingredients.† Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have found that ashwagandha supplementation is associated with statistically significant reductions in perceived stress scores and cortisol levels compared to placebo in adults with chronic stress. The research is not perfect, and effects vary by individual, but ashwagandha sits in a different evidence category from most wellness herbs.†
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Cortisol face? Let's talk about it
"Cortisol face" refers to facial puffiness, particularly around the cheeks and jawline, that some women notice during periods of sustained, high stress. It is not a medical diagnosis. It is a widely used term that describes a real pattern: when the body's stress response runs at high intensity for an extended period, it can contribute to fluid retention, disrupted sleep, and changes in how the face looks and feels.† The good news is that lifestyle adjustments and targeted nutritional support can help your body manage stress more steadily over time.†
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What are the best cortisol supplements for women?
The best cortisol supplements for women combine adaptogens, B vitamins, and mood-supportive nutrients that work together to support a healthy stress response.† Ashwagandha is the most clinically studied ingredient in this category, with multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses examining its effects on stress markers in adults. Other well-researched ingredients include saffron, chamomile, algae-sourced DHA, and methylated B vitamins. The goal is not to "fix" your cortisol — it is to give your body the nutritional support it needs to respond to stress more steadily over time.†
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Why do working moms crash in the afternoon, and what actually helps?
The afternoon energy crash that hits working mothers between 1 and 3 p.m. is not a willpower problem or a sign that you need more coffee. It is a physiological signal, produced by the intersection of your natural cortisol curve, blood sugar instability from earlier in the day, and, for many women, underlying nutrient deficits in iron, B12, and magnesium that amplify every part of the crash. Understanding the mechanism is the first step to addressing it without just piling more stimulation on top of a depleted system.
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What did women eat before modern food took organ meats off the table?
For most of human history, across cultures and continents, the most nutritious parts of an animal were the most valued, not the least. Liver, heart, kidney, and other organs were specifically reserved for women during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and times of illness, because communities understood intuitively that these foods restored something essential. Modern food systems removed them from the Western diet in the twentieth century. The cost, for many women, shows up as iron deficiency, low B12, and the kind of fatigue that does not respond to rest.
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Vitamin D + Children's Memory - is there a connection?
A growing body of research links prenatal nutrition, particularly vitamin D status during pregnancy, to measurable differences in children's cognitive development years after birth. A randomized controlled trial published in JAMA Network Open in May 2026 found that children whose mothers took a higher dose of vitamin D3 during the second half of pregnancy performed better on specific verbal and visual memory tests at age 10 than children whose mothers received the standard dose. The study adds to an existing body of research on why what you take during pregnancy matters not only for you, but for your child's developing brain.
