Adaptogens: Nature's Strategy Against Stress

Today, stress has become a constant companion in our daily lives. But what exactly happens in our body when we experience stress? And what does Nature offer us to lend a hand to our organism in fighting stress?

 

Understanding Stress

Stress is much more than just an unpleasant sensation, it is a set of biological processes that occur in the body in response to external or internal pressures that alter our balance.

Whether it is physical stress (illness, injury, intense exercise, extreme temperatures) or psychological stress (job pressure, relationship challenges, anxiety), the body responds through a complex network of signals and chemical reactions involving the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems.

In these situations, our body activates inflammatory pathways and increases the production of free radicals that, at the cellular level, disrupt numerous processes. These biochemical changes, especially when prolonged, compromise the delicate dynamic balance that our biological systems constantly try to maintain. The resulting state of disequilibrium is at the root of many modern health conditions, from diseases to mental disorders.

What are adaptogens and how do they work against stress?

This is where adaptogens come into play, natural substances that act as biological modulators, helping the body to regain the balance disturbed by stress. Traditional medicine has been using adaptogenic plants since before science could study their effects: Ginseng, Eleutherococcus, Ashwagandha, Rhodiola are among the best known.

Unlike stimulants or sedatives, adaptogens do not push the body in a specific direction against stress, but rather support it in its natural attempt at self-regulation.

When we are faced with stress, our bodies go through three distinct phases: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. Adaptogens intervene at each stage of this process, allowing the body to sustain stress longer and helping it to restore a state of balance at the level of cells, tissues, organs, and systems.

At the molecular level, adaptogens appear to act through multiple complementary pathways:

• Normalizing the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the main regulator of the stress response

• Modulating key mediators involved in stress signaling

• Inducing protective proteins that repair cellular components damaged by stress

• Optimizing cellular energy production

 

Benefits and advantages of adaptogens

Scientific research has shown that adaptogens can offer significant benefits:

• Greater resilience to stress with faster recovery times

• Reduction of physical and mental fatigue

• Improved sleep quality

• Protection of nervous system function and cognitive performance

• Immune System Support During Stressful Times

 

Functional Mushrooms as Adaptogens

Among adaptogens, functional mushrooms are a special category, characterized by an extraordinary ability to support the body's resistance to various stress factors. What makes these mushrooms particularly fascinating is their synergistic mechanism of action, capable of helping the body recover its innate ability to manage stress and restore internal balance .

The adaptogenic efficacy of functional mushrooms derives from a set of bioactive compounds that work in synergy including polysaccharides , beta-glucans, triterpenoids , ergosterols , and sterols . This is precisely why whole mushroom powders often provide superior adaptogenic effects as they preserve the full spectrum of bioactive compounds. Adaptogenic mushrooms offer an integrated approach to stress management by working with our biology from the inside out and supporting the regulatory systems naturally present in our bodies.

In the modern world, characterized by chronic stress and environmental challenges, the adaptogenic benefits of medicinal mushrooms represent a precious ally for daily well-being, a bridge between ancient wisdom and contemporary needs, supported by both traditional knowledge and emerging scientific understanding.

 

Bibliography

• Cazzavillan, Mushrooms for Health

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• Panossian A, et al. Effects of Adaptogens on the Central Nervous System and the Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Their Stress-Protective Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2010;3(1):188-224.

• Sheng X, et al. The ubiquitin codes in cellular stress responses. Protein Cell. 2024;15(3):157-190.

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• World Health Organization. Stress. Available at the link: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/stress