What Are Adaptogens?
An adaptogen is a natural plant or herb which is non-toxic, naturally occurring, and has been scientifically found to have significant benefits for your brain and body.
Adaptogens get their name as they help your brain to specifically 'adapt' to a range of situations, therefore increasing your cognitive ability, your ability to handle stress, and your resistance to extreme hormonal spikes (which can lead to unpleasant symptoms like bad sleep, low energy or PM-ing in women).
Adaptogens Overview
Adaptogens target and support our adrenals, the glands that handle hormonal response to stress and help us manage our anxiety and fatigue. Beyond this, they have an uncanny chameleon-like ability to adapt to our bodies’ specific needs and restore homeostasis. When we add adaptogens to our daily routine, they help minimize the effects of stress hormones and help the body respond to stress in a healthier way.
Adding adaptogens in your life could lead to many amazing results, including:
– Enhancing immunity
– Guarding against disease
– Increasing energy
– Easing symptoms of depression and anxiety
– Balancing moods
– Supporting cognitive abilities
– Minimizing fatigue
– Improving focus
– Bringing balance back to metabolic processes
– Boosting libido
– Reducing cravings for sugar, carbohydrates, and processed foods
Within the classification of adaptogens there are two basic types.
Some are known to stimulate the body, improve mental health and performance, and increase physical health and stamina. Examples of these adaptogens include Eleuthero, Rhodiola Rosea, Maca and Asian ginseng.
Those that help soothe the adrenals by relaxing the body fall into another classification; these include the Reishi mushroom, holy basil, and Ashwagandha.
How To Take Adaptogens
Intelligent adaptogens tend to work best when taken for a period of 6 to 8 weeks; if you don’t see results immediately, do not lose patience until you’ve put in the full time. Adaptogens are meant to adapt with our lives. It is obvious that we do not maintain the same stress levels, lifestyle, or health challenges throughout life, so an adaptogen that works great in one stage of life might not help you with another.
We would suggest a considered and regular approach to taking adaptogens in order to unlock their benefit. Start with a single adaptogen to see how your body reacts. You may find that these effects are too intense or discover that you are to some of these plants.
Like any supplement, you should find a creative way to incorporate adaptogens into your daily routine and regular schedule. For example, many of our Boost Oil users place 1.0ml into their morning coffee.
Similarly, our Unwind Oil, which contains L-Theanine and lavender, can be taken alongside a night time cup of tea to help dissolve any anxious tension and to calm a racing mind before bed. L-Theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is said to ease anxiety: and the effects of stress on the mind. L-Theanine is also said to assist in reducing blood pressure during stressful situations and counteract the restlessness associated with insomnia.
We would suggest taking stimulating adaptogens and natural ingredients such as ginseng and lion’s mane before midday so that their invigorating will not hinder your evening’s relaxation.
Adaptogen Forms
Dependent on the type, adaptogens can be found as a powder, liquid, pill or in natural form – and as long as they’re from a high quality source, there’s no one option that’s better than the next.
We opt for the fresh or powdered form dependent on the type for our capsules, as this increases their bioavailability. Bioavailability is how effectively the adaptogens are absorbed into the body’s circulation from which they can then target the desired area which it wishes to affect. Our nootropic oils, Boost Oil, Destress Oil, Unwind Oil, also contain adaptogens in liquid extract form, and combine with our 1500mg CBD oil to effectively work its way into your body’s system.
Best Adaptogen Combinations
Different adaptogens will have different effects on your mind and body. It is therefore possible to combine adaptogens synergistically to get the best out of their helpful properties.
For example, cordyceps are regarded to boost stamina. The mushroom does this by increasing the body’s production of the molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is essential for delivering energy to muscles. Cordyceps are considered a stimulating adaptogen, meaning it is more energizing compared to other adaptogens that are more neutral, calming, and restorative, such as holy basil. We would therefore suggest partnering cordyceps with the Asian ginseng found in our Boost Capsules. Asian ginseng is believed to improve mood and boost endurance as well.
Similarly, you can also coordinate adaptogens that help with reducing the effects of mental stress and the capacity to feel depressed too. Ashwagandha is an incredibly powerful adaptogen ingredient that features heavily in our products, particularly in our Destress Oil. It is said to reduce anxiety and also boost fertility in men. Ashwagandha also features as a constituent for our innovative Female Balance Hormone Health supplement which aims to support females during the physiological variance of the menstrual cycle. The turmeric that is a constituent of our CBD capsules, combining 1500mg CBD, ginger, turmeric, and black pepper.
What To Look For In Adaptogen Supplements
Always, always consult with a medical professional before adding an adaptogen to your wellness routine. Not only could these substances interact with your current prescriptions, but they also might not be appropriate given your current health status or routine. If you’re on immune-modulating drugs, for example, you should be cautious and not pile on more immune modulators in the form of adaptogens.
What’s more, it is also very important that you understand exactly what form of adaptogen you are getting in your supplement. At Puresport, we pride ourselves in sourcing ingredients of the greatest purity and the highest quality. As a result, we are confident that our adaptogens present within our nootropic range will have the desired effect in helping your body adapt to stress and fight off fatigue.