All About Adaptogens: Types, Benefits, and Uses

What are adaptogens? These substances, which can be botanicals, mushrooms, or certain vitamins, help the body “adapt” to stressors and maintain homeostasis. Dr. Amanda Frick joins host Dr. Robert Rountree to discuss the uses and benefits of their favorite adaptogens, like ginseng, ashwagandha, lion’s mane, and cordyceps. 

During this episode you’ll learn about: 

1. What are adaptogens? How adaptogens help your body “adapt” [1:35] 

• • Botanical examples of adaptogens [3:38] 
  • Research on adaptogens [4:33] 

2. How do adaptogens support homeostasis? [7:17] 

3. Use of adaptogens in functional medicine [8:39] 

4. Dr. Amanda Frick’s and Dr. Robert Rountree’s favorite adaptogens and their uses [11:22] 

• • What determines good quality ginseng? What are ginsenosides? [13:17]  
  • Is Cordyceps vegan? Cordyceps for adrenal or immune support [16:13] 
  • Lion’s mane and medicinal mushrooms [17:47] 

5. Questions from the community 

• • What is the most powerful adaptogen? [22:37] 
  • How long can you be on an adaptogenic supplement? [24:27]
  • Can women take adaptogens while pregnant or nursing? [26:01]
  • Adaptogens can have a stimulating or energizing effect. Can adaptogens be calming? [26:30]
  • Can you overdose on adaptogens? [27:46]
  • What adaptogenic supplements does Thorne offer? [29:30]
  • What’s the difference between adaptogens and nootropics? [31:25]
  • How does the body know what to do with the active components in adaptogens? [33:07]
  • Are mushrooms adaptogenic? [35:19]
  • What’s the best time of day to take an adaptogen? [37:39] 

Resources to topics mentioned in this episode: 

• What Are Adaptogens and Why Should You Care? 
• How Stress Affects the Body 
• Rhodiola Extract: Benefits and Uses of This Powerful Adaptogen 
• Are Your Stress Levels Under Control? 
• Medicinal Mushrooms – Immune Support and a Lot More 
• How Mushrooms Benefit Athletic Performance and Optimal Wellness 
• Meet the Greens, from Ashwagandha to Zinc: Part 1 – Greens and Adaptogens and Part 2 – Mushrooms, Antioxidants, and More 
• Eleuthero: A Botanical that Supports Your Vitality 
• Ashwagandha: Know Your Suppliers 
• What Is A Nootropic and Where Do Nootropics Come From? 
• Top 10 Nootropic Supplements 

• From the podcast archives:  

• Medicinal Mushrooms – A ‘Missing Dietary Link’? 
• The Medicine Hunter Talks Ashwagandha 
• How the Stress Test Works: Results and Insights 
• Navigating the Science Behind Botanical Extracts 

Products mentioned in this episode: Daily Greens Plus, Rhodiola, Stress Test, Pre-Workout Elite, Creatine, Beta Alanine-SR, Stress Balance, Craving and Stress Support, Curcumin Phytosome 

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