Walk through a supplement store today and you'll see the word
“adaptogen” everywhere.
Stress formulas. Energy drinks. Sleep products. Mushroom powders. Greens. Supplements for focus, hormones, and performance.
So, what exactly is an adaptogen?
And do you actually need one?
What Is an Adaptogen?
Adaptogens are generally herbs and other natural substances used to help the body
adapt and respond to physical or mental stress.
I like to think of them less as forcing the body in one direction and more as potentially helping regulate the body's response to stress.
That's where the name comes from:
adapt.
Some of the better-known adaptogens include ashwagandha, rhodiola, Asian ginseng, American ginseng, eleuthero, and several others.
But here's something important
“Adaptogen” doesn't mean they all do the same thing.
Different plants contain different active compounds and can have very different effects in the body.
Why Are Adaptogens So Popular?
Because we're stressed.
We work long hours. We don't sleep enough. We train hard. We're constantly connected to phones and computers. We're drinking caffeine to get through the day and then wondering why we can't shut our brains off at night.
Naturally, people are looking for something that may help them better manage that stress.
That's where adaptogens have become interesting.
Depending on the botanical, research has explored potential effects involving stress perception, fatigue, cognition, exercise performance, sleep, mood, and the body's stress-response systems.
For example, I might think about
ashwagandha very differently than
rhodiola.
Ashwagandha is often discussed around stress, anxiety, and sleep, while rhodiola is commonly used around fatigue, mental performance, and physical stress.
Same category.
Different tools.
“Natural” Doesn't Mean Take Everything
This is where we come back to something I talk about frequently with supplements.
Just because something is natural doesn't mean you need it.
And just because an adaptogen worked well for your friend doesn't mean it's the right choice for you.
I want to know what we're actually trying to accomplish.
Are you tired?
Are you stressed?
Are you having difficulty sleeping?
Are you overtraining?
Are you experiencing anxiety?
Or are we using an adaptogen because someone online said everyone should be taking one?
Those questions are important to distinguish what is the root.
Adaptogens Should Fit the Person
I like botanical medicine because plants contain fascinating compounds that can interact with human physiology in meaningful ways.
But I don't have an “adaptogen stack” that I give to everyone.
Someone dealing with daytime fatigue may need a completely different approach from someone whose primary problem is anxiety and poor sleep.
And sometimes neither person needs an adaptogen at all.
I look at adaptogens the same way I look at other supplements:
they're tools.
The goal isn't to take as many interesting products as possible (thats just not sustainable).
The goal is to understand what your body needs, what we're trying to accomplish, and then decide whether a particular tool actually belongs in the plan.
The best adaptogen isn't the one everyone is talking about. It's the one that makes sense for you.
- Dr. C
