I don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t at some point in time suffer from stress in some shape or form. Whether financial or emotional, relationships falling apart, losing a job or a loved one or really any trauma or stressful event in our lives. Or just living in a stressful environment.
Sometimes, that stress becomes overwhelming and could lead to depression, anxiety, anger or an inability to concentrate and cope. I’ve been there. It’s harrowing. And all we want at those times is a magic pill to make it all better. This is also the reason that anti-depressants are so prevalent in our society.
A common type of anti-depressant is called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s), and they work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. However, given the potential side effects and difficulties to stop using them, I’m really not a fan of SSRI’s, and despite them having a place and being of real value at times, I believe that for most people, we’re better off looking for something that’s going to be safe and effective in the long term.
The Better, Natural Alternative
Other than feeling miserable in times of stress and sadness, the reality is that if there is one thing that is truly detrimental to our overall health, it’s stress and anxiety. Especially if that stress manifests itself as poor sleep, bad eating habits, increased inflammation, getting sick and skipping exercise.
You know what to do – breathing exercises, meditation, prioritising sleep, yoga, walking and playing with your pets. But even finding the energy for these activities or finding the time to do them sometimes seem to add to our stress. Enter…ADAPTOGENS!
While adaptogens have been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, they’ve become quite the popular kid on the block of late! The recent reawakening of interest in these natural herbs and plants is rather exciting: while we need significantly more studies in humans to fully understand the mechanism of action of adaptogens, it is clear that the beneficial impact of adaptogens is nothing short of a special kinda magic…I’ll get to why that is in a second.
Why and how do adaptogens work? Well, it’s all in the name. Adaptogens help you to ADAPT. If you think of the concept of homeostasis (basically a healthy state of being, in equilibrium, your body’s way of maintaining balance) then adaptogens do just that: they assist your body with this process. A simple example of homeostasis is walking into a room that is colder or warmer than where you came from – your body immediately regulates and balances its internal temperature to adapt. This is a return to balance, much like what an adaptogen seeks to achieve.
To be classified as an adaptogen, an herb/plant must be safe and non-toxic and have an impact on the reduction of stress and improved resilience.
Adaptogens basically has two main areas where they’re going to work:
- Increase attention/endurance in situations where these are impaired due to stress
- Increase relaxation and the ability to withstand excessive fight-or-flight activation in response to stress
When we can adapt to stress, we perform better, are less likely to get sick and we have a general sense of feeling better.
Primeself's Adaptogen Complex
This product contains 5 adaptogens that work together synergistically to provide your body and mind with everything that it needs to restore balance and adapt to stressful situations effectively. Let’s take a look at the 5 adaptogens that have been included in Adaptogen Complex.
1. KSM66® (Organic Ashwagandha) – 300mg
Ashwagandha is a very popular adaptogen and nootropic and is undoubtedly the adaptogen that has the most clinical research supporting its effectiveness at regulating cortisol (the stress hormone) and its ability to bring about calm. In fact, research shows that elevated cortisol levels can be reduced by up to 25% in as little as a month! That is significant by any standards.
KSM66® specifically is an Ashwagandha extract made and trademarked by Ixoreal Biomed. Their particular Ashwagandha extract was created with over 14 years of R&D to create a superior, organic and pure extract to ensure that when you take this Ashwagandha, you actually get the benefits. This particular extract is touted as being the highest concentration, highly bioavailable and full-spectrum root extract on the market, and as demonstrated in their large number of clinical trials showing efficacy, PrimeSelf's Adaptogen Complex contains the best of the best Ashwagandha.
2. Bacopa Monnieri (50% Bacosides) – 300mg
Bacopa Monnieri, also known as Brahmi, has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine as a memory and learning enhancer, as well as a sedative. Because it helps to lower stress and anxiety levels (often associated with poor or insufficient sleep), Brahmi is a common herb used to help people sleep at night.
As an adaptogen, Bacopa Monnieri increases your body’s resistance to stress and reduces stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels, thereby also elevating your mood. Some studies show that dosing with up to 600mg of Bacopa Monnieri could result in a significant reduction in cortisol levels in as little as 2 hours, which is pretty spectacular! Given its additional potential as a cognitive functioning enhancer, this is a great adaptogen to include in Adaptogen Complex!
3. RhodioPrime™ 6x Rhodiola Extract – 200mg
Rhodiola Rosea is a rather famous medicinal plant and adaptogen with strong clinical research behind it showing excellent results for stress adaptation and cognitive functioning under periods of stress, which allows you to stave off physical and mental fatigue.
Most commonly used for its stress and fatigue-reducing effects, Rhodiola also shows potential for having anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Most impressively, Rhodiola seems to improve symptoms of burnout. A study of 118 people with stress-related burnout who took Rhodiola for 12 weeks showed significant improvement in stress and depression symptoms.
4. Panax Ginseng – 200mg
Panax (American) ginseng has been shown to boost working memory, reaction times, calmness and promote the immune system. Most impressive though are the clinical studies which show significantly reduced levels of fatigue in participants, resulting in higher energy levels and self-motivation abilities. This is therefore an excellent adaptogen for when you’re feeling run-down and tired.
Ginseng has been shown to regulate our immune response as well as hormonal changes that occur due to stress. It is therefore a true adaptogen due to its ability to maintain homeostasis and an excellent inclusion in PrimeSelf's Adaptogen Complex!
5. Gingko Biloba – 200mg
Gingko Biloba, a tree native to China, has been grown for thousands of years for a number of uses. While it’s a powerful antioxidant, it has also been studied extensively for its ability to reduce symptoms of anxiety.
In a fairly recent study of 170 participants, it was shown that taking 480mg of Gingko Biloba each day for a month reduced self-perceived symptoms of anxiety by 45% compared to those study participants that took a placebo. This is a significant improvement and is therefore rightfully a very popular adaptogen on the market for restoring calm to the body.
My Review of Adaptogen Complex
As can be seen from the ingredients of this supplement, the product includes a number of highly effective, best-quality and well-researched adaptogens. I’ve recently been under some emotional and mental strain and have been supplementing with a few of these adaptogens individually, and for the past 2 months with PrimeSelf's Adaptogen Complex.
I am happy to report that I’ve found a definite improvement in my mood and anxiety levels since taking Adaptogen Complex. It is formulated intelligently in terms of quantities included and the specific 5 adaptogens that it brings together in one product.
Being able to trust the source and purity of the ingredients is a game changer and having read some of the studies on how effective these adaptogens are when compared to placebos, I really do trust not only that these adaptogens can help all of us with restoring balance and calm, but that this particular product will deliver what it promises.
Whether we’re going through something or just facing everyday modern stressors from our environment, a little natural support for homeostasis is something that absolutely anyone can benefit from, and I highly recommend this product from personal experience as the gold standard of adaptogen support for improving mood and reducing anxiety!!
Disclaimer
This information does not serve as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is for informational purposes only and does not provide a comprehensive explanation of the different compounds. Always consult your doctor first when making any changes to medication or supplementation.
