Supporting the nervous system with adaptogens has been practiced for centuries. However, in the 21st century, this practice has received new impetus both due to the advent of new technologies and the onslaught of unrelenting stress. When choosing between synthetic and natural adaptogens, many people opt for the latter. They are proven over generations, not just through multiple waves of clinical testing. Moreover, they can be cheaper than expensive synthetic medications.
Let’s take a brief look at the different types of natural adaptogens that you can find both in online stores and land-based ones. By comparing their range of effects, you can easily determine which adaptogen is best for your needs.
Main Groups and Types of Natural Adaptogens
There are approximately 70 types of adaptogens in nature that can help relieve stress. For ease of analysis, scientists categorize them into main classes:
- Plant adaptogens: holy basil, marijuana, schisandra, ginseng, eleutherococcus, echinacea, etc.
- Adaptogenic mushrooms: chaga (Inonotus obliquus), lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), etc.
- Animal adaptogens: royal jelly, bee bread, salmon milt, snail mucus, shark oil, etc.
Let’s analyze and compare the key adaptogens of each class to find the most potent ones.
Marijuana
Marijuana is an excellent natural regulator that gently affects the nervous system. Its key components — CBD and THC — affect the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for perception, mood swings, sleep quality, memory, pain perception, and more. THC and CBD help relieve physical tension, reduce the levels of cortisol, and improve mental balance.
Consuming these cannabinoids increases serotonin and dopamine levels, resulting in a feeling of pleasure and relaxation that replaces stress. At the moodthca.com online store, marijuana is available in a variety of forms — flowers, concentrates, shakes, edibles, and more. Moderate use of this medicinal plant can help lower chronic and acute stress.
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
Similar to cannabis, lion’s mane acts as a neuroprotective agent, helping reduce oxidative stress in the brain. By stimulating the nervous system, this mushroom effectively alleviates the symptoms of severe mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, it promotes the growth of new neurons, thereby stabilizing and strengthening the nervous system. This adaptogen is also prescribed for insomnia, which often results from chronic stress.
Snail Mucus
Natural adaptogens can be quite exotic, such as snail mucus. The ancient Greeks, Romans, South American Indian tribes, and others used it for medicinal purposes. This substance is quite versatile, as it can be used to treat burns, inflammation, wounds, gastrointestinal tract conditions, coughs, bronchitis, and more. Snail mucus’s adaptogenic properties stem from the fact that these animals produce this substance themselves to combat stress and regenerate their own damaged tissue. That is why snail mucus quickly heals wounds and burns, and protects the skin from UV radiation and premature aging.
Eleutherococcus
Since eleutherococcus is one of the most common adaptogens, it can be found in many people’s medicine cabinets. Doctors prescribe it for nervous system exhaustion, chronic radiation sickness, low blood pressure, vegetative neuroses, and more. This plant can improve resistance not only to physical and mental stress, but also to environmental stress. This makes it an effective adaptogen for people living in polluted cities. They experience stress not only from conflicts at work or in the family, but also from breathing polluted air, drinking chemically contaminated water, and so on. Eleutherococcus effectively stimulates the immune system, enabling the body to cope with physical and mental stress on its own.
Chaga (Inonotus Obliquus)
Chaga mushroom has a complex effect on the human nervous system. It relieves fatigue, allowing people to return to an active life, normalizes sleep, boosts immunity, and helps withstand severe physical and emotional stress. You can take it as tea, functional coffee, tincture, decoction, etc.
The Bottom Line
You shouldn’t ignore even mild stress, as it wreaks havoc on the body and can cause serious illness. By using natural adaptogens, you can easily unclasp the grip of stress and restore your mental health. Try different natural adaptogens to determine which one works best for you. Let it become your trusted guide to joy and health, freed from the clutches of stress and anxiety.
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