Adaptogens are a wellness buzzword that can be heard everywhere, from juice bars to lifestyle websites. But what precisely are adaptogens? Here’s everything you need to know about it.
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What are adaptogens, exactly?
Adaptogens are active chemicals found in plants and mushrooms that may have an impact on how your body handles stress, anxiety, and exhaustion. Adaptogenic properties are found in plants and mushrooms. These herbs target certain stressors in your body when consumed.
Plants must possess three characteristics in order to function as adaptogens:
- When used in normal doses, it is non-toxic.
- It assists your body in dealing with stress.
- It assists your body in regaining its equilibrium (homeostasis).
Adaptogens can help with short-term stress, but they aren’t a long-term answer.
What effect do adaptogens have on your body?
The purpose of taking adaptogens is to bring your body back into balance (homeostasis). Adaptogens’ herbal activity enhances or lowers chemical processes in the body.
If you’re stressed (cortisol levels are high), an adaptogen will respond by lowering cortisol levels. An adaptogen will raise cortisol levels in your body if you have chronic fatigue and low cortisol levels.
How do adaptogens work on your body?
Adaptogens regulate a steady balance in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands at a molecular level. These play a role in the stress reaction. They work by “engineering” the body’s stress response. When our bodies are stressed, we typically go through three stages:
- Alarm phase
- Resistance phase
- Exhaustion phase
In the period of resistance, when we are exposed to a stressor, such as starting to lift weights, our bodies respond by releasing chemicals such as adrenaline, which boost muscle function and increase our capacity to concentrate and pay attention to the activity at hand. Our bodies are literally resisting the stressor, so we feel energetic and clearer as a result of our bodies’ efforts to combat the stressor.
Then, as we grow tired, we enter the exhaustion stage. Adaptogens essentially lengthen the “sweet spot” in the middle – the resistance phase — allowing us to stay in the powerful section for longer.
What herbs are the most adaptogenic?
According to Powell, each adaptogen has somewhat different functionality, so the optimal one for you will depend on the precise disease you’re dealing with. Here are some popular adaptogens and their purported benefits.
- Adaptogens for prolonged stress: Powell suggests ashwagandha and Asian ginseng relieve long-term stress and the hormone imbalances that might occur as a result. Tulsi, or holy basil, has been linked to a reduction in stress levels in several studies.
- Adaptogens for acute stress: Siberian ginseng, Rhodiola, and Schisandra help with moderate fight stress responses, according to some studies. Siberian ginseng is used to increase immune function, stamina, and sexual health; Rhodiola is thought to enhance energy, boost physical performance, and improve memory; and Schisandra is known to help with liver function and gastrointestinal issues. A major caveat: such assertions are based on very little human research. More investigation is required.
- Adaptogens for immune system functioning: Reishi and ginseng have been shown to improve immunity in limited trials.
When Should You Be Wary of Adaptogen Supplements?
Always get medical advice before including an adaptogen into your wellness regimen. These chemicals may not only interact with your present medications, but they may also be inappropriate for your current health status or routine.
If you’re using immune-modulating medicines, for example, Marshall advises being cautious about adding more immune modulators in the form of adaptogens. Similarly, she explains that adaptogens and steroids should not be used. On the other hand, some people have withdrawal symptoms after they stop taking steroid medicine, which is why it’s a good idea to take the correct adaptogens to assist restore your body’s balance and energy.
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