“Have you tried an adaptogen like saffron?” my psychiatrist asked me during our quarterly check-in after I explained I had been experiencing some pretty glum mood shifts, frayed nerves, and task paralysis due to the mounting stress I was feeling. My normal “reset and recalibrate” methods weren’t working like they normally did.
Though I hadn’t then sought out adaptogens specifically, as someone with a decade’s worth of health and wellness reporting, I am pretty much willing to try anything once. Per my doctor’s recommendation, I started incorporating adaptogens—specifically, Ritual’s Stress Relief BioSeries—into my routine. While I can’t say that it completely eliminated my stress (I’m a perfectionist, an eldest daughter, a people pleaser, and a Pisces—stress is practically woven into my DNA), I can say that I measurably felt clearer, lighter, and more ready to take it on. When my blah mood is my biggest roadblock, adaptogens help me clear the path to shift out of it.
Vogue’s Favorite Adaptogen Supplements:
If it seems like adaptogens are everywhere, you’re not imagining it. According to Grand View Research, the U.S. adaptogens market is set to grow steadily by 2030 thanks, in part, to rising consumer awareness and desire to find natural solutions to cope with everyday stress. Adaptogens do just that (and as the name infers)—they help the body adapt to stress. Long-term stress can disrupt the balance of something called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis—our brain’s “power grid.” The working theory is that adaptogens may help reduce something called allostatic load, which Taylor Fazio, a New York–based registered dietitian and wellness advisor for The Lanby, says is “essentially the wear and tear that builds up in the body when stress systems are activated too often or for too long. Depending on the herb, that may look like modest changes in cortisol patterns, improvements in subjective stress, sleep, fatigue, attention, or recovery,” she says.
However, adaptogens regulate pathways beyond cortisol levels. “Cortisol gets the most attention because it is easy to talk about and easy to measure,”Fazio says. “But adaptogens appear to interact with a wider network that includes the sympathetic nervous system, inflammatory signaling, oxidative stress pathways, immune function, and in some cases neurotransmitter systems such as GABA.” Keep in mind though that not all plants and mushrooms are adaptogens. “There are specific scientific criteria that adaptogens must meet in order to be considered an adaptogen,” says Erica Casavecchia, MS, a New York–based integrative nutritionist and founder of Casawell Health. “Adaptogens must not harm how the body normally functions, they must maintain homeostasis in the body and help to bring balance back to the body, and they must increase the body’s ability to handle a wide range of stressors.” Some popular examples are ashwagandha, rhodiola, ginseng, saffron, reishi mushroom, and more.
While they can be an incredible tool, it’s important to keep expectations realistic. “Adaptogens aren’t resetting the nervous system but rather acting like supportive tools in the context of a broader lifestyle and medical care,” says Fazio. “At the moment, there is still a gap between the potential around adaptogens and the strength of the evidence.”
If you’re looking to try them yourself, there are a few things to consider. We consulted with nutritionists to give us all the intel and break down the best adaptogen supplements. Everything you need to know, below.
In This Story:
- What is an adaptogen supplement?
- What are the best adaptogens for stress?
- How We Tested
- Meet the Experts
Best Overall: Pure Encapsulations Energy Xtra
- Why We Love It: From Pure Encapsulations, a supplement brand Fazio trusts and often recommends, this capsule feels like pressing the reset button on your nervous system. It contains three powerful adaptogens: rhodiola, ginseng, and ashwaghanda—aka the holy trinity of adaptogens. “For stress-related fatigue or mental performance under pressure, rhodiola is often a good choice,” says Fazio. “And for fatigue, stamina, or recovery (especially in more depleted individuals), ginseng may be worth considering.” Two capsules (under the care of your health practitioner) can go far in helping balance your stress levels, leaving you feeling more even keel and ready to take on emergency Slacks and tax deadlines. It’s also non-GMO, gluten-free, and super transparent and stringent about quality, purity, and potency.
- Key Ingredients: KSM-66 Ashwagandha, rhodiola, panax ginseng
- Form: Capsule
- Serving Size: 1 capsule
Best Adaptogen for Stress Relief: Ritual Stress Relief BioSeries
- Why We Love It: Spoiler alert: Stress doesn’t magically get any easier to manage the more you experience it. To combat this, Ritual’s unique time release capsule works instantly and over time (four and eight hours, respectively) to release a supercharged formula of stress-balancing adaptogens like ashwagandha, saffron, and L-theanine to fight stress, boost mood, and balance even the most Monday of Mondays. “The idea behind adaptogens is that they don’t simply stimulate or sedate the body,” says Fazio. “Instead, they’re thought to help the body respond to stress more efficiently across multiple systems, including the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system.”
- Key Ingredients: Shoden Ashwagandha, Suntheanine L-theanine, Affron Saffron Extract
- Form: Capsule
- Serving Size: 1 capsule
Best Adaptogen for Sleep: AGZ Nightly Sleep & Restore
- Why We Love It: If falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up feeling like you got proper rest seems too good to be true, ashwagandha could be the missing puzzle piece in your nighttime routine. “Ashwagandha has some of the best human data and most consistent evidence for stress and sleep support, with multiple clinical trials showing modest benefits,” says Fazio. “And from an efficacy standpoint, the best option is usually the one that delivers a standardized dose of a studied extract.” AGZ by AG1’s super powder is made with ashwagandha (5% withanolides), saffron, L-theanine, and more (the brand carefully studied the tentpoles of good sleep and chose specific ingredients, like ashwagandha, for comprehensive sleep support) for a pre-bed libation that works to notify your brain and body naturally that it’s time to wind down. One thing to note—as with all supplements, especially with ashwagandha, you should speak to your doctor before using it. “Ashwagandha should generally be avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and it may not be appropriate for people with certain thyroid conditions, liver concerns, autoimmune disease, or those taking immunosuppressants or sedating medications,” says Fazio.
- Key Ingredients: Ashwagandha, saffron, L-theanine, Magtein magnesium L-threonate
- Form: Powder
- Serving Size: 1 packet
Best Adaptogen for Fatigue and Mental Performance: Thorne Rhodiola
- Why We Love It: Dealing with burnout? Fatigue? Overwhelming stress? The only ingredient you’ll find in this formula is rhodiola rosea extract—the well researched “golden root” botanical known as the antidote to fatigue, exhaustion, and more. “Rhodiola has been shown to start working faster than most adaptogens,” explains Casavecchia. “It’s a great adaptogen that helps reduce brain fog and burnout—clinical trials have been shown to reduce fatigue and improve mental focus.” Thorne has long been a trusted favorite among experts for their high-quality formulations, transparency and rigorous testing—making it an easy choice for anyone looking for fatigue support without adding even more stress in finding something that is clean and efficacious to your plate.
- Key Ingredients: Rhodiola extract
- Form: Capsules
- Serving Size: 2 capsules
Best Adaptogen For Mood Balance: Gaia Herbs Stress Response
- Why We Love It: We’re all looking for something to take the edge off and if you need extra support to soothe against irritability and stress, this capsule harnesses the power of ashwagandha, rhodiola, holy basil, and even schisandra berry. “Holy Basil is another of my favorite adaptogens and I often add [its] seeds to my oatmeal for additional fiber or have holy basil tea at night,” Casavecchia tells. “Holy basil helps to calm the body, improve sleep quality, and manage stress in the body.”
- Key Ingredients: Rhodiola, holy basil, ashwagandha
- Form: Capsules
- Serving Size: 2 capsules
Best Adaptogen for Focus: Alice Mushrooms Brainstorm
- Why We Love It: There’s a lot to love about functional mushrooms, but the claritys without the crash and burn is top of the list. This little chocolate square is chock full of lion’s mane—an adaptogenic mushroom, nootropic, and nervine—that helps you dial in. “For someone who feels ‘over-wired,’ calming the nervous symptom can actually improve focus and mental claritys,” says Fazio. “When the stress response is constantly activated, it can make concentration harder. Helping that system settle can allow attention and cognitive performance to improve.” It also has cordyceps, another non-psychoactive medicinal mushroom studied for its energy and mental-and-physical performance boosting benefits.
- Key Ingredients: Lion’s mane, cordyceps
- Form: Chocolates
- Serving Size: 1 square
Best Adaptogen Coffee: Four Sigmatic Original Mushroom Coffee
- Why We Love It: Like many good-for-you wellness practices, consistency is key when it comes to adaptogens. One of the easiest ways to get a daily dose? In your morning brew. Four Sigmatic is one of the OG mushroom coffees—one tablespoon delivers 9000mg of powerful adaptogenic mushroom powders like chaga, lion’s mane, and reishi, as well as a little caffeine (but less than your average cup of coffee). It has faint notes of caramel and tastes particularly smooth (and not super-earthy, like most mushroom blends) with a dash of coconut milk and cinnamon over ice. “Consistent use of adaptogens will help to regulate the balance between the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) and parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest),” says Casavecchia. “Both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems need to work together synergistically to restore balance in the mind and body.”
- Key ingredients: Organic coconut milk powder, instant arabica coffee, chaga, lion’s mane, turkey tail
- Form: Powder
- Serving size: 1 tablespoon
Best Adaptogen Gummy: Plant People Wonder Day
- Why We Love It: If you’re new to adaptogens, this delicious wild-raspberry-flavored gummy is a bite-sized way to dip your toe in. With a wide range of adaptogenic mushrooms, they’re incredibly easy to incorporate daily for those who have enough powders, capsules, and tonics on their plate already. “I love adaptogenic mushrooms like lion’s mane, which helps with mental claritys, and reishi, which helps with sleep support and promotes relaxation in the body,” says Casavecchia. Vegan, sugar-free, and gluten-free, the plant-based gummies touch a little bit of everything from stress response and immune health, to mood support and cognitive performance.
- Key ingredients: Cordyceps, lion’s mane, chaga, reishi mushroom
- Form: Gummy
- Serving size: 2 gummies
Everything You Need to Know
What is an adaptogen supplement?
Adaptogenic herbs have been around for thousands of years—its uses trace back to Ayurvedic or Traditional Chinese Medicine methodologies. Essentially adaptogens are compounds found in certain plants, roots or mushrooms that can help your body manage stress—whether physical, emotional, or mental.
“The people who will benefit most from adaptogenic herbs aren’t those struggling with symptoms like chronic stress, fatigue, or hormonal imbalances,” says Casavecchia. “Adaptogens work best for people struggling with a disregulated nervous system—who are under stress and are able to function.” Fazio agrees, noting that adaptogens aren’t a blanket quick fix for broader issues. "People who are dealing with mild to moderate stress-related symptoms are usually the ones who notice the most benefit from adaptogens,” says Fazio. “That might look like feeling mentally drained, having trouble unwinding at night, or feeling like their stress tolerance is lower during busy periods.”
While adaptogens are gaining popularity, the research is still limited. “Certain adaptogens with stronger research for stress, sleep, or fatigue may continue to find a place in evidence-informed, integrative care,” says Fazio. “However, for broader adoption (especially in conventional practices) there’s still a need for more standardized extracts, stronger clinical trials, and clearer safety data.”
What are the best adaptogens for stress?
Adaptogens are just like other supplements—the best one for you depends on what you’re looking for and your medical history. There is no one size fits all—some adaptogenic herbs can also help combat fatigue and enhance mental claritys, while others can help you chill out or fall asleep more easily. Either way—you should first get clearance from your doctor before diving in. "Blanket recommendations aren’t recommended because the extract, dose, standardization, timing, within the context of a person’s medical history matter just as much as the herb itself,” says Fazio. In any case, here are a few of the most popular:
Ashwagandha is one of the most well known and well researched adaptogens attributed to lowering cortisol levels, supporting lower stress levels and sleep, combating anxiety, and improving cognitive function and emerging research shows it could help with energy, focus, and immune support—but more long-term and larger-scale research is needed. “Strong clinical trials show that ashwagandha root extract can significantly lower stress and anxiety, and improve sleep when taken regularly,” says Fazio.
This sunshine yellow-flowered perennial has long been used as an anti-stress agent, with studies suggesting it boosts cognitive function and mental performance including treating symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, and burnout. “Some adaptogens, especially ashwagandha and rhodiola, appear to influence HPA-axis activity in ways that may reduce stress signaling, improve perceived stress, and in some studies modestly lower cortisol,” says Fazio.
Also known as Korean or Asian ginseng, panax ginseng is rich in antioxidants and said to help regulate immune response, central nervous system function, and hormonal changes due to stress—keeping things in balance. In some promising research, the pharmacological benefits of ginseng could go even deeper—regulating central nervous system function like learning, memory, relieving stress, and potentially improving symptoms associated with depression and anxiety.
Known as the "elixir of life" in Ayurveda, tulsi has some promising, albeit limited, research on its effects on stress, mood, and sleep, as well as its ability to counter metabolic and psychological stress. It’s high in nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, and calcium. However, to date, there is no comprehensive research on its clinical efficacy and safety in humans.
In places like China and Japan, reishi has long been admired for overall health and longevity benefits like stress reduction, calmness, and better sleep.
Lion’s mane is a functional mushroom, nervine, and nootropic revered for its potential cognitive, focus, and memory benefits.
One of the world’s priciest spices, saffron is having a beauty moment—but it’s also an adaptogen thought to have mood-boosting benefits as well as managing mild to moderate depression in some preliminary studies.
A medicinal plant used in modern Chinese medicine, early tests show schisandra may be a potential therapeutic option to treat acute compound stress in the future—and can create a stress-protective effect that affects the central nervous, endocrine, and immune systems.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to nutritionists—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to adaptogen supplements, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, dosage, form, third-party certifications, and the wellness concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Taylor Fazio, MS, RD, SPN, is a New York–based registered dietician and wellness adviser for The Lanby.
- Erica Casavecchia, MS, is a New York–based Integrative Nutritionist and certified Functional Nutrition Health Coach and founder of Casawell Health.