What the Heck Are Adaptogens?

My first impression of the word adaptogen is that it sounds like some cyberpunk mumbo-jumbo that gives you special mutant powers so that you can fight The Corporation in the never-ending war of man vs machine. We’ve all been there. But color me surprised when I learned that adaptogens are a real thing, and they have some special powers of their own. Here’s all of your adaptogen questions answered. 

What are adaptogens?

The word adaptogen refers to several kinds of plants and mushrooms that are purported to have medicinal properties which help to regulate the body. While they are recognized by the FDA more as a homeopathic remedy, they have been used for thousands of years by a wide array of cultures as natural cures for what ails ya.

What do adaptogens do?

The main focus of adaptogens is returning the body to homeostasis; it’s kind of like a reset button on a PS5. This “reset” includes a whole host of purported benefits, including: reducing stress, anxiety, and fatigue, balancing hormones, boosting the immune system, improving concentration and endurance, and even fighting some cancers.

“Purported” is an essential word here. I am never one to discount herbal medicines; I think there’s a reason that these plants have been used for their health benefits for so long by so many people. However, there is a lack of sufficient scientific study about the health effects of these plants, so they must come with a caveat.

What are adaptogenic mushrooms?

I thought I was taking adaptogenic mushrooms once when I was in college. However, instead of reducing my stress, it made me see my entire life up until that point as if I were looking at a mountain range. And let me tell you, that was pretty damn stressful.

Mushrooms that have purported adaptogenic properties include lion’s mane, cordyceps, maitake, lingzhi, shiitake, turkey tail, chaga, and oyster mushrooms. Are you going to find any adaptogens in canned and jarred mushrooms? Unfortunately no. However, several of these mushrooms are sold in your neighborhood grocery store, so try them out.

What are adaptogens in drinks?

The easiest way to consume adaptogens is in drinks. Perhaps the most common adaptogen is ginseng, which is a common ingredient in many herbal teas. Other adaptogens that appear in tea blends include ashwagandha, rhodiola, holy basil, schisandra, and licorice. 

What is adaptogenic coffee?

There’s a recent trend of mushroom coffee. If that coffee is made with one or several of the mushrooms listed above, you’re getting some adaptogens in your morning java.