Adaptogens, Performance, and Psychophysiological Responses to Exercise: A Narrative Review

Adaptogens are a group of bioactive substances that are purported to enhance non-specific resistance to stress and promote physiological homeostasis. Adaptogens are typically derived from specific medicinal plants or fungi, with many having been used in folk medicine for centuries for their stress-reducing properties. Emerging evidence has shown that adaptogens modulate various aspects of stress responses through hormonal, neural, and cellular mechanisms, which are highly relevant to performance and responses to exercise. Adaptogens may exert ergogenic effects by modulating fatigue, autonomic balance, neuromuscular function, and metabolic responses during exercise. Collectively, evidence has suggested that adaptogens have the potential to improve responses to exercise and enhance performance during aerobic, sprint, and resistance modes of activity. Despite promising findings, the current body of literature is highly fragmented, heterogeneous in study design, and has largely failed to bridge the gap between mechanisms in preclinical models and applicable exercise performance outcomes in humans. Furthermore, the psychophysiological underpinning of potential improvements to exercise responses remains less described. The purpose of this narrative review is to synthesize current evidence of adaptogens, supplementation, and responses to exercise as it pertains to performance, physiological, and psychological domains. Particularly, adaptogen supplements (i.e., Rhodiola Rosea, Ashwagandha, Cordyceps, Panax ginseng), which are commercially available and prominent in the exercise literature, are highlighted. Information related to dosing, effectiveness, and underlying mechanisms of action are discussed with an emphasis on how this influences psychophysiological responses to exercise. Lastly, future research needs and limitations based on the current literature are discussed. Despite some promising evidence of the ergogenic effects of adaptogens, this review highlights the need for additional well-controlled studies with more emphasis on psychophysiological mechanisms before widespread recommendations for their use can be made.