Dr. Andrew Huberman, Ph.D. is a Professor of Neurobiology and Ophthalmology at Stanford University School of Medicine. His lab focuses on neural regeneration, neuroplasticity, and brain states such as stress, focus, fear, and optimal performance.
Get a sneak peek of Andrew Huberman’s third AMA. In this special episode, Huberman answers questions related to popular topics like the relationship between fasting & fertility, Bluetooth & EMF risks, limits to cognitive capacity, and more. Note, this is only a preview. The full episode is only available to premium subscribers.
Host: Andrew Huberman (@hubermanlab)
Adaptogens: a compound that is a supplement, food, drug, or behavior that helps you adapt to and buffer stress
The three main categories of adaptogens are (1) vitamins or micronutrients contained in food (such as dark leafy greens) that reduce reactive oxygen species and other aspects of cellular stress; (2) supplements – herbs or nutrients that would be difficult or impossible to obtain through diet (particularly ashwagandha, lion’s mane, chaga); (3) behavioral tools like cold shower in the morning, morning sunlight, exercise, 5-10 minutes daily mindfulness meditation, breathwork, yoga nidra, non-sleep deep rest
  • Adaptogens in the form of supplements can be helpful to cycle through stressful periods and manage cortisol
  • 300mg, 2x per day of ashwagandha can buffer cortisol – don’t take prior to exercise or in the morning; don’t take for more than 30 days straight
  • Lion’s mane (dose 1000mg per day)&/or chaga (500mg per day) may reduce anti-inflammatory cytokines that spike when you’re under stress – again, cycle off after 30 days (or less)
If you want to try a supplement regimen, try single-dose ingredient supplements to identify what’s working and what’s not
There’d very little evidence adaptogens can directly alter neurotransmitters but, can be ultimately impacted through effects on cortisol