Laura Smith
Adaptogens are natural substances that help the body manage stress and restore balance. They are made up of a group of plants and fungi that help to keep our bodies performing at their best. Adaptogenic mushrooms are a type of functional mushroom with adaptogenic properties that help the body fight the negative effects of stress and improve overall health. They are not the same as hallucinogenic or magic mushrooms and do not act on the mind or perception. While the research on adaptogenic mushrooms is still developing, they have been valued for their health benefits and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic practices for thousands of years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Plants and mushrooms that help the body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue, and overall well-being |
| Types of Adaptogen Mushrooms | Lion's mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, Chaga, Turkey Tail, Shiitake, and Maitake |
| How to Consume | Teas, capsules, tinctures, powders, coffees, chocolates, supplements, and drinks |
| Benefits | Improve mood, balance hormones, fight fatigue, boost the immune system, reduce anxiety, and improve overall health |
| Limitations | More human-focused studies are needed to understand the effects of adaptogen mushrooms better |
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What You'll Learn
How adaptogens help the body respond to stress
Adaptogens are plants and mushrooms that help your body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue and overall wellbeing. They are natural substances that are considered to help the body better manage stress. Adaptogens bring the body back to a steady balance by managing both physical and mental stressors. They are active ingredients in certain plants and mushrooms that may impact how your body deals with stress, anxiety and fatigue. Plants and mushrooms provide adaptogenic actions. When consumed, these plants target specific stressors in your body.
There are three qualities that plants must have to be an adaptogen: It is non-toxic when taken in normal doses. It helps your body cope with stress. It allows your body to return to balance (homeostasis). Adaptogens work as a temporary bandage but aren’t the solution to long-term stress. The goal of taking adaptogens is to return your body back to a state of balanced homeostasis. The herbal action in adaptogens increases or decreases chemical reactions within your body. For example, if you’re stressed (elevated cortisol), an adaptogen will respond by reducing cortisol levels. If you experience chronic fatigue with low cortisol levels, an adaptogen will increase the level of cortisol in your body.
Some common adaptogens include American ginseng, ashwagandha, and Asian ginseng. American ginseng offers immune system support (immune-modulators) that helps reduce inflammation to relieve pain (anti-inflammatory). In addition, this type of ginseng combats stress and boosts your nervous system, which improves how your body responds to stimuli (fight or flight). Some studies suggest American ginseng can reset dopamine levels and regulate your mood. Ashwagandha has a positive effect on the endocrine, nervous, immune and cardiovascular systems by regulating your metabolism and helping you relax by calming how your brain responds to stress. It offers protection for your cells as an antioxidant and reduces swelling (an anti-inflammatory reaction). Asian ginseng helps relieve both mental and physical fatigue.
Research suggests that some types of mushrooms have beneficial effects on the body’s stress response. Cordyceps, lion’s mane, and reishi fungi may have adaptogenic properties. While the existing study results are promising, scientists need to do more research to fully understand the effects of these mushrooms.
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The difference between medicinal and adaptogenic mushrooms
Mushrooms have been valued as a natural way to support health and well-being for millennia. They are a good source of medicinally useful products. Adaptogens are plants and mushrooms that help the body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue, and overall well-being. They bring the body back to a steady balance by managing both physical and mental stressors.
Medicinal mushrooms are recognised as dietary supplements that can provide natural immune support, balance blood sugar, and support brain health. They are often found in food or drink products. These mushrooms contain compounds that offer many health benefits due to their antioxidative and cytotoxic properties. Medicinal mushrooms have latent cancer-preventive properties. They are also used in conjunction with chemotherapy. The polysaccharides from medicinal mushrooms have the greatest potential for structural variability and the highest capacity for carrying biological information.
Adaptogenic mushrooms, on the other hand, contain compounds that help the body adapt to and fight off any chemical, biological, or physical stress. They are used to help regulate the body's natural stress-response system and have been shown to improve the effects of anxiety, low mood, and brain fog. Adaptogens are non-toxic, anti-allergenic, and antihypertensive. They increase the body's resistance to physical, biological, and chemical stress, helping to promote normal functioning during times of stress.
Some of the most well-known adaptogenic mushrooms are Cordyceps, Lion's Mane, and Reishi. These mushrooms generally have good safety and tolerability when taken in supplement form. However, it is important to note that not all medicinal mushrooms have adaptogenic effects, and more research is needed to fully understand the effects of these mushrooms.
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Examples of adaptogenic mushrooms
Adaptogens are plants and mushrooms that help the body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue, and overall well-being. They bring the body back to a steady balance by managing both physical and mental stressors. Adaptogens are active ingredients in certain plants and mushrooms that may impact how your body deals with stress, anxiety, and fatigue.
Some examples of adaptogenic mushrooms include:
- Cordyceps sinensis: This fungus has been studied for its potential to reduce the effects of stress on the body. Research in rodents suggests that it may reduce stress-related markers and increase resistance to stress-inducing activity. However, research in humans is limited.
- Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus): Lion's mane is a mushroom thought to offer adaptogenic effects. Rodent studies have shown that lion’s mane extract may help reverse stress-related changes to neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin. It may also reduce levels of inflammatory markers that increase in response to stress. However, research on the adaptogenic effects of lion’s mane is still in the early stages, and more studies in humans are needed.
- Reishi: Reishi is a type of mushroom adaptogen used to boost the immune system and fight cancer by treating cancerous tumors. However, there have been two documented cases of liver toxicity related to the consumption of reishi powder.
- American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium): American ginseng offers immune system support and helps reduce inflammation to relieve pain. It also combats stress and boosts the nervous system, improving how the body responds to stimuli. Some studies suggest it can reset dopamine levels and regulate mood.
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Ashwagandha has a positive effect on the endocrine, nervous, immune, and cardiovascular systems. It helps regulate metabolism and calms the brain's response to stress. It also offers protection for cells as an antioxidant and reduces swelling.
It is important to note that while adaptogens have been valued for their health benefits for many millennia, they should be used as supplements alongside standard medical care. Before incorporating adaptogens into your diet, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider to understand how they could impact your health and if they are right for you.
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How to incorporate adaptogens into your diet
Adaptogens are natural substances that help the body manage stress and restore balance. They are available in various forms, including capsules, tinctures, teas, and powders, and can be incorporated into your diet in several ways.
One popular way to consume adaptogens is in the form of functional mushrooms, also known as medicinal mushrooms. These mushrooms are believed to have significant health benefits beyond their nutritional value, containing essential nutrients like selenium, vitamin D, and magnesium. Some common types of adaptogenic mushrooms include lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, chaga, turkey tail, shiitake, and maitake.
- Teas: Drinking adaptogenic mushroom tea is a traditional way to consume these fungi. GT's Living Foods offers an Ancient Mushroom Elixir called ALIVE, which combines turkey tail, reishi, and chaga mushrooms. This elixir supports immunity, helps balance mood, and provides a natural energy boost. You can drink it any time of day, making it a part of your morning routine or enjoying it alongside a healthy dinner.
- Powders: Adaptogenic mushroom powders are versatile and can be added to various dishes. You can mix them into smoothies, soups, or other foods to boost their nutritional content and gain the potential stress-relieving benefits of these mushrooms.
- Tinctures: Tinctures are another common form of consuming adaptogens. These are typically concentrated extracts of the mushrooms that can be added to beverages or taken directly under the tongue for faster absorption.
- Capsules: Adaptogens are also available in capsule form, making it convenient to take them as dietary supplements.
- Coffee: If you're a coffee drinker, you can look for coffee blends that incorporate adaptogenic mushrooms. These functional mushroom coffees provide a two-in-one boost, combining the effects of caffeine with the potential health benefits of the mushrooms.
- Food and Beverage Additions: Adaptogens are increasingly being incorporated into various foods and beverages, such as chocolates, supplements, and drinks. However, it's important to look for quality and quantity when choosing these products to ensure you're getting the desired benefits.
While adaptogens can be a great way to support your health and manage stress, it's important to remember that they should be used as a supplement to standard care. Always consult with your healthcare provider before adding adaptogens to your diet, especially if you are on medication or have any medical conditions.
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The history of adaptogen use
The use of adaptogens has a long history in herbal medicine. The term "adaptogen" was first used by scientist Nikolay Lazarev in 1947 to describe substances that can improve an organism's "non-specific" resistance to stress. In 1968, Soviet pharmacologists Brekhman and Dardymov elaborated on this definition, specifying that an adaptogen is non-toxic and causes minimal side effects.
Adaptogens have been used for hundreds of years in Ayurvedic medicine and are a key component of traditional Chinese medicine. For example, Ashwagandha, a popular adaptogen, has a long history in Ayurvedic medicine and is also a staple in traditional Chinese medicine. Rhodiola, another adaptogen, has been used medicinally in places like Russia for a long time.
Eleutherococcus senticosus, an herb native to the Soviet Union, was of great interest to early adaptogen researchers in the region. It was also favoured by Soviet athletes as an endurance aid. This herb was first recorded in the Shennong Ben Cao Jing, a traditional Chinese medicine text dating back to around 220 A.D.
Today, adaptogens are increasingly popular and accessible. They are valued as a natural way to support health and well-being and are used to help the body manage stress. Many wellness brands are incorporating adaptogens into their offerings, including functional mushrooms, which are considered a superfood due to their high nutrient density.
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Frequently asked questions
Adaptogen mushrooms are a type of functional mushroom with adaptogenic properties that help the body fight the negative effects of stress and improve overall health.
Adaptogen mushrooms are said to help reduce anxiety, improve mood, boost energy levels and lower the chances of chronic health issues. They are also known to have significant health benefits beyond their nutritional compositions.
Adaptogen mushrooms can be incorporated into your diet in various forms, including capsules, teas, tinctures, powders, and even beverages such as coffee.
