Adaptogens Explained: Can They Really Help Your Body Handle Stress?

Stress has become such a normal part of modern life that sometimes we barely notice it anymore. Work deadlines. Notifications. Poor sleep. Hard workouts. Family responsibilities. Too much caffeine. Not enough downtime. Even things we choose because they're good for us, like exercise, still place temporary stress on the body. Recently, I've become increasingly interested in adaptogens, a group of herbs, roots and mushrooms that are often described as helping the body become more resilient to stress. The wellness world has certainly embraced them. You'll now find adaptogens in everything from coffee and gummies to powders, supplements and functional drinks. But what exactly is an adaptogen? Do they actually lower cortisol? And are medicinal mushrooms like Lion's Mane really adaptogens? What Are Adaptogens? The concept isn't new. The term adaptogen...