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Adaptogens are natural substances known for their ability to help the body cope with stress more effectively. The term “adaptogen” was coined in 1940 to describe certain plant extracts that were found to support human health in various ways. Today, adaptogens can be derived from plants or created synthetically [1].
These adaptogens are believed to work by calming the body’s response to stress, potentially helping individuals feel less stressed over time. They are thought to modulate the body’s natural reaction to stressful situations, thereby reducing the negative impact of stress on overall well-being.
What’s interesting about adaptogens is that the term doesn’t focus on their chemical composition but rather on how they affect the body. It’s all about their functional impact on our physiology.
Adaptogens have become increasingly popular and are widely available as supplements. However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating them into your routine. This precaution ensures that adaptogens are safe and suitable for your specific needs and health condition.
Adaptogens help organisms handle stress better, making them more resistant to different kinds of stressors. This helps them adapt and survive. Adapting to environmental challenges and aging involves many different steps and interactions [2].
Adaptogens can either be extracted from plants or crafted in labs synthetically, providing a natural boost to our well-being. Packed with beneficial compounds, adaptogens are renowned for their ability to help us handle stress and keep our bodies in harmony.
But what exactly makes an ingredient an adaptogen? Well, it has to meet certain criteria.
Adaptogens had to meet three important criteria:
– They had to help the body in tough situations, like when you’re stressed physically or due to your surroundings.
– They had to reduce the impact of stress on the body.
– They shouldn’t interfere with how your body normally works [1].
In 1998, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defined an adaptogen as a new kind of metabolic regulator that has been proven to help in environmental adaptation and to prevent external harm [1].
Adaptogens can be found in two forms: either they are made artificially or come from plants. Regardless of their source, they contain active substances that can benefit the body.
Adaptogens are valuable compounds that help the body adapt to stress and maintain overall health. Whether derived from plants or created synthetically, their protective and balancing effects make them an important part of natural health care [3].
Yance, an American herbal doctor, offered fascinating insights into adaptogens. He believed adaptogens could enhance our ability to recognize, respond, recover, and regenerate. Drawing from his clinical experience, Yance categorized adaptogens into three groups: primary adaptogens, secondary adaptogens, and adaptogen companions [3].
Primary adaptogens closely fit the traditional definition. They meet specific criteria, including abundant scientific evidence confirming their adaptogenic properties. These adaptogens support general resistance, restore balance, and avoid adverse effects after prolonged use [4].
Research has revealed how adaptogens operate. They primarily affect the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA axis) in response to stress. The HPA axis is a system involving interactions between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal glands. Primary adaptogens not only restore balance but also promote recovery. By positively impacting stress responses and hormone levels, they enhance overall bodily function [3].
Secondary adaptogens, while aligning with traditional definitions, do not meet all primary adaptogen criteria. They may not directly influence the HPA axis but can impact the immune, nervous and endocrine systems. These adaptogens, derived from plants and including fatty acids, sterols, and phenols. They help promote anabolism, which means the process of building and repairing tissues. Despite not working through the same pathways as primary adaptogens, they still play a role in helping organisms adapt to stress and maintain overall well-being. [4] .
Adaptogen companions, though not meeting all traditional standards, support adaptogen function. While they cannot formally be classified as adaptogens, these medicinal plants synergize with primary and secondary adaptogens, enhancing their effects [4].
Several plants have been confirmed as true adaptogens. These include Panax ginseng, Schisandra chinensis (also known as Wu Wei Zi), Acanthopanax senticosus (commonly referred to as Siberian ginseng), Rhodiola crenulata, and Lepidium meyenii (commonly known as maca) [1].
Adaptogens fall into two primary categories: plant adaptogens and synthetic adaptogens, also known as actoprotectors [5].
Plant adaptogens have been part of human history since ancient times. The term “adaptogen” was coined in 1947 by the Soviet scientist Lazarev. It describes substances that induce non-specific resistance in living organisms. Plant adaptogens have a long history of use across different cultures and regions, spanning hundreds of years [5].
Synthetic adaptogens, introduced more recently, have roots dating back to the 1970s. Bemethyl, the first synthetic adaptogen, was developed by Professor Vladimir Vinogradov. Since then, several synthetic adaptogens have been created such as:
These synthetic compounds not only enhance physical and mental resilience but also have effects like vasodilation and reductions in blood sugar and lactate levels [5].
Synthetic adaptogens have found widespread use in sports medicine, offering athletes enhanced performance and endurance. However, the use of certain synthetic adaptogens has come under scrutiny. For example, bromantane was added to the prohibited list by WADA in 2009, and bemethyl has been included in WADA’s monitoring program since 2018. These regulations reflect concerns regarding their potential for performance enhancement and safety [5].
Adaptogens help different organs and tissues achieve balance, or homeostasis, in response to stressors. They regulate stress hormones, support organ function, and possess antioxidant properties, promoting overall health and resilience.
– Issue: Excessive stress can lead to adrenal fatigue, impairing adrenal gland function.
– Adaptogens’ Role: Adaptogens support adrenal function by regulating stress hormones and enhancing cellular energy. They inhibit enzymes involved in stress hormone metabolism and enhance cellular energy production.
– Helpful Adaptogens for the condition: Asian Ginseng, Siberian Ginseng, Ashwagandha [1,6].
– Issue: Arthritis, characterized by inflammation and pain in joints, affects many individuals.
– Adaptogens’ Role: Adaptogens reduce inflammation and alleviate pain associated with arthritis by modulating immune responses and reducing inflammation in affected joints.
– Helpful Adaptogens for the condition: Ashwagandha, Asian Ginseng, Jiaogulan, Reishi Mushroom, Rhodiola, Licorice [1,7].
– Issue: Insomnia and sleep-related problems disrupt cortisol secretion and circadian rhythms.
– Adaptogens’ Role: Adaptogens promote cortisol balance and stress relief, aiding in better sleep patterns by regulating cortisol levels and promoting better sleep.
– Helpful Adaptogens for the condition: American Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Schisandra, Jiaogulan, Rhodiola [1,8].
– Issue: Maintaining stability in the internal environment of the body is crucial for overall health.
– Adaptogens’ Role: Adaptogens affect the neuroendocrine system and cellular energy system, enhancing adaptability and stability by reducing stress hormone levels, enhancing cellular energy utilization, and promoting stability.
– Helpful Adaptogens for the condition: Asian Ginseng, Siberian Ginseng, Ashwagandha [1,9].
Adaptogens play a significant role in promoting health and wellness by addressing various health concerns, from adrenal fatigue to sleep regulation and neuroendocrine system regulation. Their ability to modulate stress responses and promote balance within the body makes them valuable in supporting overall well-being.
Plant-derived adaptogens have been shown to regulate stress-induced changes, particularly in animal studies [10]. Despite over four decades of herbal research, only a few drugs classified as adaptogens have made their way into modern medicine. Most plant-based medicines fall under this category, along with immune enhancers, anabolic agents, and antioxidants. This overlap complicates the assessment of whether a plant qualifies as a true adaptogen.
Adaptogens act as modifiers of the stress response, enhancing resistance to various stressors and promoting adaptation and survival. Adapting to environmental challenges involves intricate multistep processes and interactions among diverse mechanisms. These compounds influence multiple molecular networks that coordinate stress signaling within and outside cells, regulating metabolic homeostasis at both cellular and systemic levels [11].
A significant challenge in adaptogen research is the absence of suitable animal models for studying stress responses. The stress response comprises three components: the stressor, the stress response, and stress performance. Stressors, ranging from biological to psychological factors, induce physical strain and prompt changes in the body’s neuroendocrine system. While stress performance outcomes are observable, understanding the underlying mechanisms of stress response remains complex [12].
Stress is associated with various health issues, including high blood pressure, myocardial ischemia, and depression. However, studying the intricate steps of the stress response poses challenges. Quantifying external stressors, understanding their interactions with the body, and elucidating specific response mechanisms remain difficult tasks. Additionally, the complexity of stress expression, influenced by genetic and external factors, further complicates research on adaptogen mechanisms [13].
Despite these challenges, plant-derived adaptogens play a crucial role in promoting human health by enhancing the body’s resilience to stressors. However, their clinical application and integration into healthcare products are still in the early stages. Categorizing adaptogens, clarifying their pharmacological functions, and distinguishing them from similar herbal remedies worldwide will enhance their effective utilization and contribute to human health and well-being.
Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or dietitian, before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, or health practices. The information provided should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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[2] Panossian, A. (2017), Understanding adaptogenic activity: specificity of the pharmacological action of adaptogens and other phytochemicals. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1401: 49-64. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13399
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[8] Bhatia, N., Jaggi, A. S., Singh, N., Anand, P., & Dhawan, R. (2011). Adaptogenic potential of curcumin in experimental chronic stress and chronic unpredictable stress-induced memory deficits and alterations in functional homeostasis. Journal of natural medicines, 65(3-4), 532–543. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-011-0535-9
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[12] Panossian A. (2017). Understanding adaptogenic activity: specificity of the pharmacological action of adaptogens and other phytochemicals. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1401(1), 49–64. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13399
[13] Maslova, L. V., Kondrat’ev, B. I.u, Maslov, L. N., & Lishmanov, I.uB. (1994). O kardioprotektornoÄ i antiadrenergicheskoÄ aktivnosti Ă©kstrakta rodioly rozovoÄ pri stresse [The cardioprotective and antiadrenergic activity of an extract of Rhodiola rosea in stress]. Eksperimental’naia i klinicheskaia farmakologiia, 57(6), 61–63.
[14] Spasov, A. A., Wikman, G. K., Mandrikov, V. B., Mironova, I. A., & Neumoin, V. V. (2000). A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of the stimulating and adaptogenic effect of Rhodiola rosea SHR-5 extract on the fatigue of students caused by stress during an examination period with a repeated low-dose regimen. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 7(2), 85–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(00)80078-1
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