Adaptation is not resistance — it’s flexibility in motion.
Understanding Adaptogens — The Science of Balance
Life constantly changes.
Our ability to adapt — physically, mentally, and emotionally — defines how we move through these changes.
When stress rises, the body activates complex hormonal and neural pathways designed to help us cope.
Adaptogens are natural substances that help this system work smarter, not harder.
Our ability to adapt — physically, mentally, and emotionally — defines how we move through these changes.
When stress rises, the body activates complex hormonal and neural pathways designed to help us cope.
Adaptogens are natural substances that help this system work smarter, not harder.
What Are Adaptogens?
The term adaptogen was first used in the 1950s by Russian scientists studying plants that increased physical and mental endurance without overstimulation.
Today, adaptogens are defined as natural compounds that help the body maintain homeostasis under stress, supporting normal resilience and recovery.
Adaptogens do not block stress; they improve the body’s ability to adapt to it — regulating the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and balancing hormones such as cortisol.
They work gently, aligning the nervous system, metabolism, and mood toward equilibrium.
Today, adaptogens are defined as natural compounds that help the body maintain homeostasis under stress, supporting normal resilience and recovery.
Adaptogens do not block stress; they improve the body’s ability to adapt to it — regulating the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and balancing hormones such as cortisol.
They work gently, aligning the nervous system, metabolism, and mood toward equilibrium.
Eustress and Distress — Two Faces of Pressure
Not all stress is harmful.
Short-term, positive stress (eustress) motivates, focuses, and builds resilience.
But when recovery is missing, distress begins — the form that drains energy, lowers mood, and disrupts sleep.
Adaptogens help the body stay longer in the eustress zone — adapting to pressure without slipping into exhaustion.
Eustress builds; distress erodes. The difference is recovery.
Short-term, positive stress (eustress) motivates, focuses, and builds resilience.
But when recovery is missing, distress begins — the form that drains energy, lowers mood, and disrupts sleep.
Adaptogens help the body stay longer in the eustress zone — adapting to pressure without slipping into exhaustion.
Eustress builds; distress erodes. The difference is recovery.
Synergy with Other Botanicals in Stop Stress®
While adaptogens improve stress adaptation, soothing herbs such as valerian, hops, melissa, and passion flower (featured in Stop Stress Night®) support rest and nervous-system recovery.
This day–night synergy reflects the natural rhythm of stress adaptation: alertness by day, regeneration by night.
This day–night synergy reflects the natural rhythm of stress adaptation: alertness by day, regeneration by night.
Approved Nutrients that Support Adaptation
Adaptogens work best when the nervous system is nutritionally supported.
The following nutrients have EFSA-approved health claims relevant to stress and energy balance:
Together, these nutrients nourish the biochemical foundation on which adaptation happens.
The following nutrients have EFSA-approved health claims relevant to stress and energy balance:
Nutrient | EFSA-approved claim reference | Function |
Vitamin B6 | Commission Regulation (EU) 432/2012 | Contributes to normal psychological function and reduction of tiredness and fatigue |
Vitamin B12 | same as above | Contributes to normal nervous-system function |
Magnesium | same as above | Contributes to normal psychological function and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue |
Niacin (B3) | same as above | Contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism |
Folate (B9) | same as above | Contributes to normal psychological function |
Together, these nutrients nourish the biochemical foundation on which adaptation happens.
How Adaptation Feels
Adaptation is not the absence of stress — it’s the recovery that follows it.
When the body adapts well, the same situation feels lighter: focus sharpens, sleep deepens, and energy becomes more stable.
Adaptogens and essential nutrients simply help the body remember this natural rhythm — effort followed by restoration.
Resilience is not built by resistance — it’s grown through rhythm.
Adaptogens and essential nutrients simply help the body remember this natural rhythm — effort followed by restoration.
Resilience is not built by resistance — it’s grown through rhythm.
References and Further Reading
- Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 34(3), 255–262. https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7176.106022
- Edwards, D., Heufelder, A., & Zimmermann, A. (2012). Therapeutic effects and safety of Rhodiola rosea extract WS® 1375 in subjects with life-stress symptoms--results of an open-label study. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 26(8), 1220–1225. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3712
- Panossian, A., & Wikman, G. (2010). Effects of Adaptogens on the Central Nervous System and the Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Their Stress-Protective Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 3(1), 188–224. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph3010188
- EFSA: Register of Questions – Health claims under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 — https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/health-claims
- EFSA: On-hold botanical health-claim list — https://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2021-06/questions-on-hold-botanical-claims.xlsx
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Brivibas gatve 369 k-2, Riga
t.: +371 67 323 499
hello@stopstress.de