Best Adaptogen Supplements

If you suffer with stress and anxiety that overwhelms your ability to focus and feel calm, then an adaptogenic could be just what you need. Here, expert James Dixon gives first-hand guidance on the best adaptogen supplements available today, and what makes them so good.

Adaptogen supplements are able to support stress management and promote optimal brain health – I’ve personally used them for years, for exactly these reasons. They have helped reduce my stress levels and stay clear-headed where, without them, brain fog and anxiety are generally the order of the day.

Adaptogenic supplements give you decent doses of natural adaptogens, including the likes of herbs and mushrooms, which are known for their stress-reducing and cognitive-enhancing properties. Whether you’re wanting to boost focus, increase resilience, or reduce stress, adaptogens may very well be the key to unlocking your full potential and keeping your mental wellbeing healthy.

What are adaptogens?

Adaptogens are a unique group of herbs and substances that have been used in traditional forms of medicine systems for centuries (or more, in some cases). They are known for their ability to help the body adapt to stress and restore balance. Adaptogens work by supporting the body’s natural response to various stressors, whether they are physical, emotional, environmental, or so on.

One of the key benefits you will find with adaptogens is their ability to reduce the negative effects of stress on the body. Stress can take a toll on our overall health and wellbeing, leading to fatigue, mood swings, and decreased immune function – I’ve suffered with all of these over the years, and found that quality adaptogen use has always helped.

This is because they help to counteract these effects by supporting the body’s ability to cope with stress, promoting a sense of calm and clarity.

Another major advantage of adaptogens is their ability to boost energy and enhance physical performance. They improve your body’s oxygen utilization and can even increase your endurance and stamina. This is particularly good for anybody, like me, who likes to lead an active lifestyle.

Adaptogens also have the potential to improve cognitive function and enhance mental performance. You will see them popping up in plenty of nootropic supplements, like NooCube, for example. They are thought to support brain health by reducing mental fatigue, improving focus and concentration, and boosting memory.

This can be of incredibly benefit for anybody dealing with demanding mental tasks (such as writing – hence I use them), or studying for exams (where I’ve also found them very useful – I completed my master’s degree a couple of years ago with a good deal of help from some of the market’s leading nootropics).

As well as all of this, adaptogens are known for their ability to bolster the body’s immune system, making the body more resilient to infections and diseases. These herbs have also been used traditionally to improve sleep quality and promote relaxation, leading to better overall health.

Finally, adaptogens are thought to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help to protect the body against chronic diseases and aging. In fact, these should in theory underpin many of the benefits you will get from taking them. By reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, adaptogens may contribute to improved cardiovascular health, reduced risk of chronic conditions, and overall longevity.

Do please note that adaptogens are not a magical solution for all health problems. They are best used as a part of a holistic approach to health, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and good sleep habits. I’m on a few different medicines for various health concerns, and I would never dream of coming off them.

However, a good adaptogen dose each day, from something like a supplement on this list, can go a long way to easing various symptoms. Even my asthma has been better since getting into them. But, as ever, I still take my asthma medication where and when relevant.

If you are suffering from any underlying medical concern, or are seeing any concerning symptoms, absolutely reach for adaptogens. There is a good chance they will help, depending on the concerns in question. But do also speak with your healthcare provider, who will be able to help you put a well-rounded healthcare and treatment plan in place.

Our top adaptogens

The market is pretty saturated with adaptogens – you can get them in a range of different formats, built for a range of different purposes. There is also quite a broad range of quality on offer, so it can feel overwhelming to know which one to buy.

To help you out, here are some of my personal favorites. Pick from this list and you should be onto a winner.

NooCube

NooCube is one of my favorite supplements in any category – there are few in this world so well made or well designed. It’s a nootropic, designed to improve brain function and enhance mental performance.

One of the key factors that sets NooCube apart from other brain supplements is its inclusion of adaptogens in its formula, which is why it makes it onto this list with such aplomb.

NooCube makes incredibly good use of various adaptogens, such as Bacopa monnieri, Rhodiola rosea, and Ashwagandha – perhaps my favorite adaptogen – in its blend. These all work well together to give you a well-rounded cognitive boost, as well as giving you all the added benefits you would expect of a good adaptogen kick.

Bacopa monnieri has been used for millennia in Ayurvedic medicine for its ability to improve memory and cognitive function. It has been shown to enhance nerve impulse transmission, leading to improved mental performance and focus. Bacopa monnieri is believed to support the regeneration of brain cells and protect against age-related cognitive decline.

Rhodiola rosea is also known and well-regarded for its ability to combat mental fatigue, reduce stress, and enhance cognitive function. It has been used traditionally to increase stamina and resilience, making it a valuable addition to NooCube. Rhodiola rosea has been shown to improve concentration, memory, and overall mental clarity.

Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera, is an adaptogenic herb that has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. It is believed to offer a wide range of benefits for overall health and wellbeing.

Ashwagandha is commonly used to support stress reduction, promote relaxation, and enhance mental clarity. It is also thought to boost energy levels, improve sleep quality, and support immune function.

Additionally, ashwagandha has been shown to have potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may contribute to its protective effects on the body. There is also some tentative evidence showing that it may improve fertility and reproductive health in men, which could be indirectly related to testosterone levels.

By including adaptogens in its formula, NooCube aims to provide a holistic approach to cognitive enhancement. The adaptogens work in synergy with other ingredients in the supplement to support brain health, reduce stress, enhance memory, and improve overall mental performance, all whilst giving you the benefits you would expect of taking adaptogens for their own sake.

Adaptogen Elite

If you’re looking for a good adaptogen in its own right, without the extras added by taking nootropic ingredients, then Adaptogen Elite may be a good shout. It is a popular performance-enhancing supplement whose efficacy rests almost wholly on its inclusion of top-drawer adaptogenic ingredients.

Adaptogen Elite offers several benefits for anybody looking to enhance their health and wellbeing, as well as their physical performance and endurance.

Rhodiola rosea plays first fiddle here. It is known for its ability to increase energy levels, reduce fatigue, and improve athletic performance. Rhodiola rosea has been shown to enhance the body’s ability to adapt to physical stress, allowing for better endurance and stamina during workouts or athletic activities.

It is also thought to enhance the body’s ability to cope with stressors by balancing stress hormones and increasing energy production – as any good adaptogen should. It can be of particularly good use for athletes and those leading active lifestyles, with its ability to improve stamina and enhance overall physical performance.

Then there is Panax ginseng, another of my favorites. It’s a herb with a long history of use in various forms of traditional medicine for its various health benefits.

Panax ginseng is thought to improve physical performance by reducing fatigue, increasing energy levels, and enhancing overall stamina. It has also been studied for its potential to increase muscular strength and improve recovery after physical exertion.

Adaptogen Elite also includes Eleuthero (Siberian ginseng), which is renowned for its adaptogenic properties and its positive impact on physical and mental performance. Eleuthero is believed to enhance exercise capacity and endurance while reducing fatigue. It is often used by athletes and individuals engaged in high-intensity workouts.

By combining these adaptogens, Adaptogen Elite aims to optimize physical performance by supporting the body’s ability to withstand and adapt to stressors, whether they are physical or environmental. These adaptogens work together to boost energy, improve endurance, and reduce fatigue, allowing individuals to achieve better athletic performance and recover more efficiently.

It really is worth looking into for anybody living an active lifestyle, with a good degree of athleticism required of them.

TruWild Adaptogen Blend

TruWild Adaptogen Blend is a perfect adaptogenic supplement for supporting overall health and wellbeing. It contains a variety of adaptogenic herbs that work synergistically to help the body adapt to stress, boost energy, and enhance mental and physical performance.

It builds on a good base of Rhodiola rosea, which we’ve already seen is generally a good idea. Rhodiola rosea has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to combat fatigue, reduce stress, and improve physical endurance.

TruWild Adaptogen Blend also contains Eleuthero root extract (Siberian ginseng), which we’ve seen is known for its adaptogenic and antioxidant properties, helping the body adapt to stress and promoting overall wellbeing. It has been traditionally used to increase energy, improve athletic performance, and enhance mental focus.

TruWild Adaptogen Blend makes good use of Ashwagandha, too, making it a supplement after my own heart, alongside other adaptogenic herbs like Panax ginseng and Astragalus root extract.

Panax ginseng is known for its energy-boosting properties and its ability to enhance physical performance. It is thought to help in increasing stamina, reducing fatigue, and supporting cardiovascular health.

Astragalus root extract, meanwhile, has been used traditionally for its immune-enhancing properties and its potential to support overall vitality and longevity.

By combining these adaptogenic herbs, TruWild Adaptogen Blend offers a comprehensive way to help you support your mental and physical wellbeing. The adaptogens work together to help the body cope with stress, enhance energy and endurance, improve mental focus, and support overall immune function.

Though it appears more aimed at an all-comers audience then something like Adaptogen Elite, which focuses hard on the athletics market, the formulae really aren’t that distinct. Both are really good, well-balanced adaptogenic supplements that should let you enjoy a wealth of benefits.

LYFEfuel Wellness Boost Bundle

Speaking of which, the LYFEfuel Wellness Boost Bundle is a comprehensive package of supplements designed to support overall health and wellness – it, too, represents a selection of well-balanced adaptogenic ingredients. The bundle as a whole makes use of several different supplements, each with its own ingredients and, thus, its own specific benefits.

You get a daily multivitamin as part of this. As a solid multivitamin, it gives you a pretty wide range of essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function optimally. It can help to fill in any nutritional gaps in your diet and support overall health and wellbeing, as any good multivitamin should do.

However, we need far more than this, otherwise any two-dollar multivitamin from your local drugstore will do the job. Happily, we get more… a lot more.

For starters, you also get a good probiotic in the bundle. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support a healthy gut microbiome. They can help improve digestion, support immune function, and promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which in turn will bring about quite a dizzying array of benefits.

By including a probiotic, the LYFEfuel Wellness Boost Bundle aims to support digestive health and overall immune function, giving you plenty of benefits to work with.

As well as this, the bundle includes a specific adaptogen formulation. As you would expect, this should help to support the body’s stress response, promote relaxation, and enhance mental wellbeing.

You get Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea, and Holy Basil with it – Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi, is a sacred plant in Ayurvedic medicine. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, promote stress relief, boost immune function, and support overall wellbeing. In short, it plays well into a formula like this one.

Overall, the LYFEfuel Wellness Boost Bundle offers a comprehensive and holistic approach to supporting overall health and wellness. By including a multivitamin, probiotic, adaptogens, and potentially other targeted supplements, the bundle aims to provide support for various aspects of health, including nutrition, digestion, stress management, and overall wellbeing.

It’s a perfect choice for anybody wanting to sort of blanket bomb their supplementation, getting everything (and more) in one place.

Swanson Rhodiola Ashwagandha Ginseng Complex

Finally, we have a good, steady supplement – a firm hand at the wheel. This comes in the form of the Swanson Rhodiola Ashwagandha Ginseng Complex, a supplement that does little else but combine three well-known adaptogenic herbs: Rhodiola rosea, Ashwagandha, and Panax ginseng.

Rhodiola rosea is the first key ingredient in this complex. As we have seen, it has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to combat fatigue, reduce stress, and enhance physical performance.

Rhodiola rosea is believed to help the body adapt to stressors by balancing stress hormone levels and improving energy production. It is commonly used by athletes and those seeking to improve stamina and endurance.

Ashwagandha is amongst my favorite supplements for a reason. It is known for its stress-reducing and rejuvenating properties, and is thought to support healthy stress response, help balance stress hormones, and promote mental clarity and wellbeing. It may also support healthy immune function and contribute to overall relaxation and calmness.

Finally, we have Panax ginseng once more, with its energy-boosting properties and its potential to improve physical performance. Panax ginseng can help to increase stamina, reduce fatigue, bolster cardiovascular health, and enhance cognitive function.

By combining these three adaptogenic herbs, the Swanson Rhodiola Ashwagandha Ginseng Complex aims to provide comprehensive support for managing stress, boosting energy levels, and supporting overall vitality.

There is no frippery, nothing extra – just a straightforward dose of some really very potent adaptogens. It’s perfect for anybody wanting minimal fuss at a reasonable price, getting in return something that gets the job done.

Adaptogen FAQs

Still have some questions? Here the questions I asked myself when I first started looking into adaptogens, many years ago.

How do adaptogens work?

Adaptogens work in large part by regulating and balancing stress hormones like cortisol, and by supporting the body’s stress response system. This leads to improved resistance to stress and its damaging effects, which in turn brings a wide range of benefits to bear.

Are adaptogens safe to consume?

Adaptogens are completely safe and natural. They will give few side effects, if any. However, they shouldn’t be used as a crutch or in place of proper medical intervention where necessary.

Can I take adaptogens every day?

You can and should make sure that your daily diet, and potentially supplement regime, includes adaptogens. They are often used as long-term tonics to support overall health and wellbeing.

How long does it take for adaptogens to work?

You might notice their effects within a couple of weeks, or it may take longer. There are plenty of variables at work, including your own individual health, circumstances, and sensitivity, as well as the adaptogens in question.

Can I take adaptogens if I have certain health conditions?

Adaptogens often complement ongoing treatment plans quite well, depending on the treatment plan in question and underlying health concerns.

However, it’s always a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider before changing up your supplement routine and including adaptogens in a meaningful way, especially if you have any ongoing health conditions or are on any ongoing medical regime.

Verdict

There are plenty of fantastic adaptogenic supplements out there. I’ve given you some of my favorites today. I’ve also given you my absolute favorite – my favorite supplement in many categories, in fact. This is, of course, NooCube, which has to take first place in this list.

What sets NooCube apart is its meticulously selected ingredients that work synergistically to support optimal brain function. Ingredients like Bacopa Monnieri and and Rhodiola Rosea have been scientifically studied for their adaptogenic properties, of course.

They also offer some really quite profound cognitive benefits, as does the entirety of NooCube’s formula. Why settle for a one-trick pony when you can take something that gives you a wide range of benefits, including all of those you would expect of a good adaptogen mix? NooCube’s ingredients have shown promising results in reducing stress, improving memory, enhancing focus, and promoting mental clarity.

I’m rarely without it – I take it all the time, and always make sure that I’ve got a ready stash at home. I cannot recommend it highly enough – if you’re looking for a good adaptogen boost to your diet and supplement regime, I wouldn’t go with anything else. NooCube is fantastic.