One of the biggest challenges with ADHD is our sensitivity to stress.
The ADHD nervous system can easily get stuck in the flight, flight or freeze state, which can overload our body with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenalin and lead to constant burnout.
One of the best ways to counteract the effects of stress on your nervous system is with adaptogens.
Adaptogens are natural substances from plants and mushrooms that help our bodies manage stress and maintain a balanced equilibrium.
I recommend taking plant adaptogens in the warmer months and using mushroom adaptogens in the colder months.
The beauty of adaptogens is they aren’t expensive, and in the case of mushroom adaptogens, it’s actually pretty easy to grow your own medicinal mushrooms at home.
🌿 The Most Powerful Plant Adaptogens:
Plant adaptogens are a good place to start if you want to make yourself more resilient to stress.
Here are some of the most powerful plant adaptogens that can potentially help with ADHD by reducing inflammation and providing a mild stimulatory effect:
1. Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)
Rhodiola is a positive mood booster with a mild antidepressant effect.
I find that Rhodiola has a naturally energizing impact during the day while not affecting my sleep at night.
2. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha is used for cognitive and brain support, boosting energy and immunity, stress management and improving sleep.
It is one of the most used plant adaptogens because it is effective for stress and anxiety relief.
3. Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
Helps to prevent colds and flu. Increase energy, longevity, and vitality.
4. Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)
Helps balance hormones naturally and makes you more resilient to stress and less prone to fatigue.
5. Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium grandiflorum)
As you can imagine from the name, Horny Goat Weed is one of the most powerful natural viagra-like herbs. It can boost libido and testosterone and people taking it generally feel like it gives them more energy and zest for life.
6. Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Holy Basil is one of the most sacred plants in Ayurvedic medicine where it is referred as Tulsi the “elixir of life”. It can be a powerful adaptogen for ADHD because it has been shown to increase both dopamine and acetylcholine. It can reduce cortisol spikes, and it generally has a calming effect on anxiety.
7. Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra):
Licorice root has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and relax the nervous system, which can helpful for creating better balance in the ADHD nervous system.
8. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
There is some evidence that it may reduce symptoms of depression and it can be easily taken in supplements or used in cooking. Tumeric is a key ingredient in a lot of Indian food.
9. Saffron (Crocus sativus)
In Ayurvedic medicine, Saffron is described as an adaptogen because it has the effect of increasing mental resilience without causing exhaustion.
🍄 The Most Powerful Mushroom Adaptogens:
The reason I really like adaptogenic mushrooms is because I can easily grow them myself at home with minimal effort, and living in Canada, I find they help boost my energy and mood during the long, cold and dark winters.
With the notable exception of Chaga, you can inexpensively grow all of these medicinal mushrooms at home.
If you want to try a blend of these mushroom adaptogens, I recommend Stamets 7, which was formulated by fungal pioneer Paul Stamets.
Here are the most powerful mushroom adaptogens to boost your mind and body during the winter months:
1. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum):
The king of all the herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Reishi mushrooms are also referred to as the herb of longevity. They are also effective for reducing inflammation and improving overall energy.
2. Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus):
Lion’s Mane helps improve immune function, and it has been shown to be beneficial in treating anxiety and depression. It also improves memory and is shown to increase neurogenesis in the brain (new brain cells).
3. Chaga (Nonotus obliquus):
Chaga is the most potent medicinal mushroom that grows in the northern boreal forest that stretches across Russia and Canada. It boosts immunity, reduces inflammation, as well as having a positive effect on blood sugar and it makes a relaxing alternative to coffee.
3. Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis):
Cordyceps, also known as the zombie fungus, supports the immune system, kidney and lungs. It has been found to increase energy and stamina while supporting your adrenal glands to maintain consistent energy.
4. Shiitake (Lentinula edodes):
Shiitake mushrooms are rich in B vitamins, vitamin D and zinc for improving cognitive functioning. They have been shown to improve immunity, high in antioxidants, anti-aging compounds and are good for heart and liver health.
5. Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor):
Turkey Tail can boost immunity, cellular regenerative, better digestion, antiviral and antimicrobial properties, reduces oxidative stress and may help with certain cancers and heart disease.
6. Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus):
Oyster mushrooms are one of the easiest mushrooms to forage in the fall and you can also inexpensively grow them at home. They are an excellent source of vitamins, high in protein and they contain all the same amino acids found in animal protein, which makes them excellent nutrition for vegans and vegetarians.
