The Science Behind Adaptogens: How They Influence Your Well-being

If you haven’t heard about adaptogens yet, you probably will soon. These substances have been around for ages, but until recently, they’ve mostly been known within traditional Indian and Chinese medicine. Nowadays, adaptogens are popping up everywhere, in various products and recipes promoted by vloggers, bloggers, and Instagram influencers. So, the big question is: do adaptogens really work?

Opinions on adaptogens tend to be quite polarized. Some people swear by them, saying they help manage both physical and mental stress, and may even promote homeostasis—that’s your body’s way of keeping everything balanced. Adaptogens are mostly plants used for centuries, especially in China and India, for their health benefits. You can take them as supplements, eat them, or even drink them as tea.

The idea with adaptogens is that they help your body deal with stress by keeping you balanced and calm. Back in the day, stress for early humans might have been running from a wild animal—a quick, intense burst of stress. Today, though, our stress is constant and never seems to go away. Adaptogens are said to help manage this long-term stress by interacting with our body’s hormone systems.

Researchers are still figuring out how adaptogens work, but many studies suggest they are effective. Even though adaptogens might seem like a new trend, they have a long history, and many cultures have used them for ages.

For example, a study in 2010 by researchers in Sweden looked at the effects of adaptogens on the central nervous system. They discovered that during World War II, the Soviets studied Schisandra Chinensis as a stimulant for their soldiers, and other countries experimented with it for their pilots and submariners. The study concluded that adaptogens have a “stress-protective effect,” helping to regulate homeostasis.

Another study in 2015 focused on ashwagandha and its effects on women’s sexual health. Women taking ashwagandha reported less sexual dysfunction over an eight-week period without any negative side effects. Another small study found that ashwagandha root extract increased muscle mass and strength in healthy young men during resistance training, with less muscle damage compared to those who took a placebo.

So, what does all this tell us today? While adaptogens might seem like a new trend, they’re actually quite old and seem to be effective. However, more research is needed to confirm the benefits of some lesser-known adaptogens.