How to Unlock the Power of Adaptogens

Feeling stressed? Depleted? Just plain out of whack? Adaptogens may be able to help. Adaptogens are non-toxic plants, herbs and mushrooms that help normalize and regulate the systems in our bodies. Adaptogenic ingredients have been used by traditional medicine practitioners for hundreds of years and have become ever more accessible and present in our day-to-day lives.  

WHAT ADAPTOGENS DO

 Adaptogens are phytonutrients that bring us back to homeostasis, or balance, by supporting the regularization of our essential systems: mood, stress, energy, gut health and more. They act on our neuroendocrine-immune system in neuroprotective and stress protective ways that adapt specifically to the person who is taking them. In other words, adaptogens help you balance stress -- both physical and emotional -- and shift your body back into neutral. Adaptogens adapt to the needs of your body - makes sense, right?

Why should we add adaptogens into our daily lives? They can improve our physical and mental wellbeing, and the best part is, they come naturally from the earth. Who wouldn’t want that?

HOW ADAPTOGENS WORK 

Adaptogens work by keeping a balance between the hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal glands, which regulate how our bodies react to external and internal stressors. For example, some adaptogens help decrease levels of cortisol, our primary stress hormone. Think of it like a thermostat: when a room is too cold, the thermostat kicks on to heat it up. Conversely,  when a room is too hot, the thermostat brings the temperature down. Either way, the thermostat brings the room back to a comfortable and neutral state, like adaptogens do for our bodies! This means if you are in homeostasis, you may not “feel the effect.”

To benefit from adaptogens, you can ingest them, either by eating them directly or taking supplements. To get maximum benefits, adaptogens should become part of your daily routine. 

HOW TO UNLOCK ADAPTOGENIC PROPERTIES 

Adaptogens are found in many different plants, herbs and functional mushrooms -- Cordyceps, Reishi, and Lion’s Mane mushrooms, to name a few. Read how a mushroom supplement benefits your body. Adding adaptogens to your daily routine consistently, rather than taking them sporadically, is the best way to harness their benefits. This is because they build up in your system over time, so the more consistently you take them, the more consistently they’ll work.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO TAKE ADAPTOGENS

• Lion’s Mane Mushroom: Lion’s Mane is a mushroom used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Research shows it strengthens the immune system and helps with digestion.* 
• Cordyceps Mushroom: Cordyceps contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and research shows it has been used as a natural energy booster.*
• Reishi Mushroom: Reishi Mushrooms may boost immunity and reduce inflammation, and have been researched to fight infection.*
• Ashwagandha: An herb used traditionally in Indian medicine, Ashwagandha can be used to reduce stress and anxiety by normalizing cortisol levels.*  
• Holy Basil: Holy Basil is an herb that is used in traditional Indian medicine to help reduce stress and anxiety. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and has been said to lower cholesterol.* 
• Schisandra Berry: Schisandra Berries are adaptogenic plants that are used to increase immunity and energy and reduce stress.*

ADAPT LIKE A PLANT PERSON: OUR TEAM’S PICK’S

Incorporating adaptogens into your daily routine is easy to do with our adaptogenic products. Whether you want to eat a delicious gummy, take a capsule or drop a tincture, we have the right selection of natural supplements for anxiety and stress for you! Remember: To get the most out of your adaptogens, have them everyday! 

1. WonderDay Mushroom Gummies 

The world’s first, daily, mushroom-multi gummy for whole body balance and support, packed with 10 different adaptogenic mushrooms.

     2. Be Calm Capsules: Ashwagandha, Holy Basil, Schisandra Berry, Avena Sativa, CBD

A daily capsule to ground the mind and uplift the spirit. Formulated with CBD, adaptogen and nervine herbs that modulate stress response.

     3. Drops+ Mind+Body: Balanced Limonene, A-Bisabolol, Gamma-Terpinene, CBD

Your everyday, anytime tincture to calm the mind and body with balanced, full spectrum hemp extract to regulate mental and physical systems.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Individual weight loss results will vary. Our products contain less than .3% THC. Plant People provides no medical advice - more about this in our Terms & Conditions.

Reviewed by Gabe Kennedy

 Co-Founder of Plant People, Gabe Kennedy is an acclaimed chef and entrepreneur. Growing up in a house of healers and herbalists, he is passionate about the power of food as a tool for health, and actualized this passion and belief system into his company, Plant People. Named to Forbes 30 under 30 Gabe has shaped menus and cooked his way around the world with his mission to promote a more communal, green and healthy world.

 Gabe is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. You can learn more about his work at his website.