From Bella Hadid’s canned mocktails to your favorite influencer’s morning mushroom coffee routine, adaptogens seem to be taking over social media streams everywhere. And it’s not just Goop fans anymore.
The concept of these mystical plants might be confusing to some, marketed as magic (and often expensive) powders that are somehow supposed to help with your overall health. That can mean improving anything from stress to hormone health to your immune system.
But what are adaptogens, really? Are they safe for anyone to consume? And what are the best ways to incorporate them into your diet? We’re here to answer all your trend-driven questions.
What are adaptogens?
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Getty Images / marilyna
Adaptogens have been used to treat stress and illness by cultures all over the world for centuries.
Historically used in cultures all over the world for centuries, adaptogens come from plants (think herbs and mushrooms) that are meant to treat and alleviate several forms of stress in the body and promote overall health.
Stress can show itself in several different ways, from obvious mental impacts to less-obvious hormonal shifts that can affect physical health as well. In theory, incorporating adaptogens can mitigate these impacts and help shift your body back to a natural balance.
According to researchers, this happens when adaptogens interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathoadrenal system in the body, altering the body’s hormones to better respond to stressors of any kind.
While there’s no existing research to suggest any negative side effects from taking adaptogens, everyone experimenting with a new supplement should be mindful of any possible allergic reactions or conflicts with existing medication and should consider consulting a physician first.
Of course, adaptogens are not an end-all for folks suffering from chronic stress—but they can be helpful as an added supplement to other positive lifestyle habits, like healthy sleep and regular exercise.
So, where to begin? There are a wide range of adaptogenic plants: Here are some of the most popular, and what their health benefits are.
Types of adaptaptogens
Adaptogenic mushrooms
Cordyceps: This fungal variety is native to China, and it’s known for its ability to reduce stress and treat a wide range of maladies—from combating fatigue and boosting the immune system to even shrinking tumors in certain studies.
Chaga: This mushroom is rich in antioxidants, which means it can help fight superfluous inflammation in the body. It’s also been shown to support gut health and boost the immune system.
Lion’s Mane: Studies have shown that this popular mushroom’s powerful anti-inflammatory effects can alleviate stress and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can also improve focus and positively impact gut bacteria, which can help support the immune system.
Reishi: With the ability to support the adrenal glands (for hormone function), and reduce stress-related inflammation, Reishi mushrooms are a popular adaptogen for stress management.
Other plants
Ashwagandha: An herb native to Asia and Africa, Ashwagandha is a common stress-relieving adaptogenic ingredient. It’s often used in Ayurvedic medicine to help balance cortisol levels, relieve pain and inflammation, and even support brain health.
Ginseng: This herb has both American (Panax quinquefolium) and Asian (Panax ginseng) varieties. The former specializes in immune system support and mood regulation, while the latter may help relieve mental and physical fatigue.
Lemon balm: This is another adaptogen associated with stress relief and Zen. A relative to the mint leaf, this plant is often used to reduce anxiety and promote a feeling of calm. It’s commonly consumed in tea form (think: chamomile’s trendy cousin).
Rhodiola: This herb comes from a perennial flowering plant that’s brightly colored and packed with health benefits. It’s been used for centuries in colder climates like Russia to treat anxiety, depression, and fatigue.
Tulsi: A shrub from the basil family, Tulsi has been dubbed “the queen of herbs” in Ayurveda for its ability to treat disease, stabilize mood, and promote overall wellbeing and longevity. Studies have shown it’s effective in treating everything from viruses to cardiovascular issues to anxiety.
Adaptogenic products to try
If you’re ready to dip your toes into the world of adaptogens, there are plenty of ways to sneak them into your diet. Thanks to the ongoing trend of functional food and beverages, this doesn’t have to mean swallowing pills you get at an obscure health food store. Adaptogens are everywhere—from tasty mocktails to tubs of ice cream.
Kin Euphorics Dream Light
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Reviewed / Kin Euphorics
This insta-famous brand has an adaptogenic-rich nightcap.
Featured adaptogens: Reishi mushroom extract
Designed to chill you out at the end of the day (sans wine), this functional beverage features calming ingredients like Reishi, magnesium glycinate, and melatonin to lull you into dreamland. Sip it straight-up before bed or mix it with milk and sweetener for an end-of-day treat.
Mud Wtr
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Reviewed / Mud Wtr
With chai, cacao, and adaptogens, Mud Wtr wants to transform your morning beverage.
Featured adaptogens: Lion’s mane, chaga, and reishi mushrooms
Ready to swap your morning caffeine jitters for a more holistic cup? Mud Wtr was designed to reimagine routines for coffee drinkers by providing an alternative that boosts energy and focus without copious caffeine.
The blend includes tasty ingredients like cacao, cinnamon, and Masala chai to make your morning cup just as enjoyable, but with added health benefits like antioxidants and immune support. Just mix with hot water and enjoy—creamer optional.
Moon Juice Brain Dust
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Reviewed / Moon Juice
Up your focus game with this adaptogen-rich drink.
Featured adaptogens: Lion’s mane, rhodiola, ashwagandha, and more
Moon Juice has an adaptogen-rich “dusts” for a variety of bodily needs—from skincare to mood-boosting.
The Brain Dust jar is designed to enhance focus and minimize stress with the help of powerful adaptogens. Since the supplement has a bitter flavor profile, the brand recommends mixing it with something like coffee, smoothies, or chocolate milk.
WonderDay Mushroom Gummies
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Reviewed / WonderDay
Health benefits and tasty gummies? Sign us up.
Featured adaptogens: Lion’s mane, chaga, reishi, cordyceps
If you’re someone who prefers to take your vitamins in gummy form, this might be an easy addition to your supplement routine. WonderDay Mushroom Gummies take all the benefits of adaptogenic mushrooms—think stress relief, immune support, enhanced mood and energy—and put them into a chewable, tasty form for easy ingestion. Plus, these are free from gelatin, dyes, and corn syrup.
Clevr Blends Coffee Superlatte
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Reviewed / Clevr
With less caffeine and more healthy ingredients, Clevr’s Superlatte is here to recharge your morning.
Featured adaptogens: Ashwagandha, lion’s mane, reishi
Another morning beverage option, this superlatte doesn’t want to replace your coffee routine—it wants to enhance it. Clevr’s Coffee Superlatte powder features arabica coffee, oat milk and coconut cream, plus adaptogenic extracts and probiotics to help you feel your best. It’s low on the caffeine spectrum but designed to boost mood and focus to start the day right.
Three Spirit’s Nightcap elixir
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Reviewed / Three Spirit
Swap your boozy nightcap for Three Spirit’s stress-relieving functional beverage.
Featured adaptogens: Ashwagandha root, lemon balm
Kicking an evening cocktail habit can be tough, but for the sake of better sleep (and overall health) it’s better to opt for an alcohol-free substance when it comes to kicking back at the end of the night. Enter: Three Spirit elixirs, adaptogen-rich alcohol alternatives that are designed to enhance mood and decrease stress without the harmful side effects of booze.
Among a variety of naturally soothing ingredients, the Nightcap bottle features ashwagandha to mitigate stress and lemon balm to naturally soothe you to sleep. Enjoy it before bed, either straight-up over ice or in an old-fashioned-style cocktail with bitters.
Clusterbucks Superfood Clusters
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Reviewed / Clusterbucks
With a chocolate flavor and superfood ingredients (including adaptogenic mushrooms), this granola is a no-brainer.
Featured adaptogens: Reishi, ashwagandha, lion’s mane
This grain-free granola is great as a morning cereal, yogurt topping, or just for on-the-go snacking. It’s packed with superfood ingredients like buckwheat, flaxseed, and (of course) adaptogenic mushrooms for boosting health and wellbeing.
Recess canned drinks
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Reviewed / Recess
These easy-sipping cans from Recess are here to help you wind down.
Featured adaptogens: American ginseng, lemon balm
These mood-enhancing cans are great for an evening unwind, midday pickup, or even social gathering. Recess canned drinks feature ingredients like magnesium and L-theanine to help you unwind, plus adaptogens like ginseng for improved focus and lemon balm for relaxation. They also come in a variety of flavors—like strawberry rose, peach ginger, black cherry, and blood orange—so you have to never get bored.
The Republic of Tea SuperAdapt Stress Suppress Tea
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Reviewed / The Republic of Tea
Cuddle up with a warm cup of adaptogen-rich tea.
Featured adaptogens: Tulsi, rhodiola
If you’re already used to cuddling up with a hot cup of tea every night, you might as well add some adaptogenic benefits to that routine. Each tea bag from this SuperAdapt pack features stress-relieving tulsi and rhodiola adaptogens, plus cinnamon and ginger for a zingy flavor profile.
Chaga chocolate gelato
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Reviewed / Sacred Serve
This vegan gelato is rethinking the adaptogen experience.
Featured adaptogens: Chaga
The beauty of the modern world is being able to enjoy healthy mushroom superfoods in the form of a chocolatey ice cream dessert.
This gelato is totally plant-based, made with coconut meat, raw dark chocolate, and chaga mushroom powder. Free from common allergens like soy, gluten, and dairy—and additives like refined sugar and artificial ingredients—you can feel good about digging your spoon into this one.
Mosh nutrition bars
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Reviewed / Mosh
Enhance your on-the-go snack with Mosh’s superfood-rich protein bars.
Featured adaptogens: Ashwagandha, lion’s mane
Your mid-afternoon slump could do better than chips or pretzels. These protein bars from Mosh are rich with vitamins, collagen, omega-3s, and adaptogens like ashwagandha and lion’s mane. And they come in tasty flavors like Chocolate Crunch, so your brain, body, and taste buds can benefit.
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