Adaptogens For Anxiety, Stress & Brain Fog

What are Adaptogens?

A balanced, plant-based diet is essential for health and disease prevention. However, herbal remedies can also have a huge impact on your overall health, energy, and longevity (especially when they are used consistently like vitamins/supplements).

Adaptogens are a special category of herbs that ‘boost the vital life force of energy within us.’ With consistent use, they bring our bodies back into homeostasis (balance and stability).

According to one study, adaptogens were initially defined as herbs that enhance the “state of non-specific resistance” in stress. Animal studies have also shown that adaptogens have anti-depressive, anti-fatigue, anti-anxiety, and central nervous system (CNS) stimulating activity. CNS stimulation results in increased energy, alertness, and focus.

Many adaptogens are also considered nootropics, which have been shown to improve memory, creativity, motivation, attention span, and other essential cognitive functions.

If you are consistently anxious, stressed, run down, or lack mental clarity throughout the day (brain fog), incorporating adaptogens into your daily routine can help significantly. But remember: eating a healthy (mostly plant-based diet) is also essential for energy and optimal brain function.

Types of Adaptogens

There are many different kinds of adaptogens that work to reduce anxiety and balance your body. In general, though, adaptogens are separated into four categories: stimulating, semi-stimulating, balancing, and calming.

To learn more about how these adaptogenic herbs affect your body in different ways, keep reading below:

1. Stimulating Adaptogens

Stimulating adaptogens are also called ‘zippy adaptogens’ because they increase energy levels and mood. They also support libido (sex drive), fertility, reproductive function, longevity, vitality, immune strength, and modulation (balance). Zippy adaptogens are especially useful when the body is depleted, deficient, dragging, or depressed.

Stimulating adaptogens can be taken in the form of teas, capsules, or tinctures. Many of them also come in powdered forms so you can add them to smoothies, lattes, coffee, teas, etc. You can also combine stimulating adaptogens with calming adaptogens to dilute the potency (like ashwagandha, holy basil, reishi, or chaga).

You should only take stimulating adaptogens in the morning. Evening doses can interfere with sleep. Very high doses can also aggravate anxiety, hypertension, insomnia, mania, and heart palpitations in certain people. They can also interact with certain medications and should not be taken during pregnancy without professional supervision. 

Some popular stimulating adaptogens include:

• Ginseng is one of the most well-known stimulating adaptogens. It is a great herb to use if you are feeling sluggish, lacking vitality, having fertility/libido issues, or suffer from immune deficiency. It also protects the liver from toxins, may balance blood sugar in diabetes, aids in digestion, and much more.
• Rhodiola improves energy, focus, vitality, and may help the body produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which provides energy on a cellular level. This herb is helpful for night shift workers, college students, and athletes because it improves focus, memory, and mental energy while also reducing stress. Menopausal patients use it to relieve brain fog and stress-related memory lapse. It can also be helpful in reducing pain associated with conditions affecting the brain/nervous system (e.g., Lyme disease or an injury). Rhodiola should be taken in small doses; high doses can lead to an upset stomach.

2. Semi-Stimulating Adaptogens

Semi-stimulating adaptogens are similar to stimulating adaptogens but are less potent. These herbs may be a better option if stimulating adaptogens are too intense:

• Codonopsis is a restorative herb that helps fight fatigue and immune system dysfunction. It is sometimes used in holistic cancer protocols.
• Eleuthero is the best-researched adaptogen and is a favorite for relieving stress and increasing energy (both physically and mentally). It also helps improve work performance, immunity, and protects against liver toxins. Eleuthero should only be taken in small doses; high doses can raise blood sugar.
• Cordyceps has been shown to increase physical and mental stamina, energy, libido, and respiratory function. It also contains anti-aging and stress relieving properties.

3. Balancing Adaptogens

Balancing adaptogens help calm you down and reduce anxiety. They invigorate the body, decrease inflammation, balance blood sugar levels, protect the body against toxins, and even help improve digestion. Since these adaptogens are relatively mild, most people can tolerate them without any issues.

Balancing adaptogens can be taken in the morning or at night. You can also combine them with stimulating adaptogens to decrease any unwanted side effects.

Some popular balancing adaptogens include:

• Schizandra is sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and pungent (adding a sweetener like stevia, honey, or maple syrup makes it more pleasant). It is a balancing herb used for sleep, pleasant dreams, energy, vitality, cognition, mood, and libido.
• Reishi mushroom helps increase immune system function, reduces stress, improves sleep, and decreases fatigue. Reishi also has sleep promoting properties and is useful if you struggle with insomnia.
• Chaga has been used for centuries to support the immune system, decrease inflammation in the body, protect against premature aging, and help fight off diseases like cancer.

4. Calm Energy Adaptogens

Calm energy adaptogens are typically the best option if you struggle with severe anxiety or are under a lot of stress. Unlike stimulating adaptogens, calming adaptogens relax your body and mind instead of increasing productivity and alertness.

Some popular calming adaptogens include:

• Ashwagandha calms and energizes. It is one of the few herbs that has specific thyroid-enhancing effects. Thyroid imbalances increase sensitivity to anxiety, fatigue, stress, immune malfunction, and low libido. Ashwagandha can help address all of these concerns.
• Holy basil calms and energizes, relieves anxiety and grief, and balances cortisol and blood sugar levels. The herb also improves immune health to fight off colds and other infections, strengthens digestion, decreases the inflammation response to quell chronic pain, and even protects against radiation to some degree.
• Gotu kola has many brain-boosting benefits. It increases mental function while also reducing anxiety and improving circulation throughout the body, including the brain. The herb also heals and strengthens connective tissue, collagen, and the lining of the vascular system.

What are the Best Adaptogens for Anxiety/Stress?

Some of the best adaptogens for anxiety/stress management include calming adaptogens like ashwagandha and holy basil. Stimulating adaptogens like rhodiola and ginseng also have excellent stress relieving and brain fog fighting properties. You can combine these adaptogens to balance out the effects.

Best Supplements for Brain Health

When it comes to choosing the right brand of adaptogens for brain health, it can be difficult. There are so many products on the market today that advertise the same things. However, many people are left feeling confused about what products actually work and if they are worth investing in.

From my experience, the best brand of adaptogenic products I’ve found is CURED Nutrition. I have been using their supplements for over a year and have seen a huge difference in my overall brain and general health.

Unlike many brands that sell just adaptogenic products, CURED combines functional mushrooms, high-quality CBD, and adaptogens to create powerful products that elevate your life. They are specially formulated to help decrease stress, brain fatigue, and anxiety.

---

My favorite product from CURED Nutrition is the Rise & Zen Bundle.

Use code ALYSSA for 10% off your order!

---

The Rise & Zen Bundle includes CBD-infused adaptogenic supplements that work to increase brain function and reduce anxiety/stress in different ways. For example:

CURED Rise increases natural energy and mental clarity without the crash of caffeine. The supplement also:

• Boosts performance and endurance
• Encourages cognitive enhancement
• Promotes stress resilience
• Provides stimulant free energy without the jitters

CURED Zen promotes a deep sleep using all-natural ingredients. The supplement also:

• Encourages relaxation
• Combats stress
• Promotes complete deep and REM sleep cycles*
• Allows you to wake up feeling refreshed (non-drowsy)

I like to take two to three CURED Rise supplements in the morning (with breakfast). Then I’ll take two to three CURED Zen supplements right before bed.