Adaptogens

Adaptogens are herbs marketed to normalize stress responses (ashwagandha, rhodiola, and others). Pharmacology is real; hype is larger.

Peat's view

Peat defined adaptogens functionally: chemicals that increase resistance to stress without accumulating damage, which is why he excluded glucocorticoids (they aid short-term resistance but deplete future reserves).^[1] Some raise thyroid or hormone questions. Food, sleep, and salt-sugar-thyroid basics outrank herb stacks for recovery narratives.

References

↑ Ray Peat, The Generality of Adaptogens. "Adaptogens are chemicals which increase an organism's ability to resist stress without suffering cumulative damage. This is a useful definition, since it excludes the glucocorticoids, which promote adaptation and short term resistance to stress, but do so at the expense of the organism's future reserves."

[1] Ray Peat, The Generality of Adaptogens. "Adaptogens are chemicals which increase an organism's ability to resist stress without suffering cumulative damage. This is a useful definition, since it excludes the glucocorticoids, which promote adaptation and short term resistance to stress, but do so at the expense of the organism's future reserves."

[1]

Peat's view

See also

References