Effects of Adaptogens on the CNS and Stress-Protective Mechanisms

The scientific paper by Panossian et al., titled Effects of Adaptogens on the Central Nervous System and the Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Their Stress–Protective Activity, explores how certain plant-based substances known as adaptogens help the body resist stress and maintain balance. Drawing from decades of research, including numerous clinical and laboratory studies, the authors focus on three well-known adaptogens—Rhodiola rosea, Schisandra chinensis, and Eleutherococcus senticosus. The paper highlights how these herbs influence the central nervous system (CNS), reduce mental and physical fatigue, and protect against stress-induced damage at the cellular and molecular levels. The research places particular emphasis on adaptogens’ ability to regulate key stress-response systems, such as the HPA axis, and molecules like Hsp70 and FOXO transcription factors.

Adaptogens are natural substances, mostly from plants, that help the body resist stress and stay balanced. They don’t target one illness but instead support the body’s ability to handle many types of stress—emotional, physical, and even chemical. The idea came from the Soviet Union during World War II, when researchers wanted to help soldiers and pilots stay focused, alert, and strong during high-stress missions.

One of the first plants studied was Schisandra chinensis, used by hunters in Siberia to reduce thirst and hunger and improve night vision and endurance. Later, the Russian scientist Nikolai Lazarev introduced the word "adaptogen" to describe herbs that raise the body’s "state of non-specific resistance." That means they help the whole body handle stress better, not just one organ or system.

In this scientific study, researchers focused on three well-known adaptogenic herbs:

• Rhodiola rosea
• Schisandra chinensis
• Eleutherococcus senticosus

These plants are often called the “classic” adaptogens because they have been studied the most and show substantial benefits for animals and people.

This was a review of hundreds of scientific studies, including over 1,000 from Russia and Europe. The authors looked at laboratory research (in vitro), animal experiments (in vivo), and human clinical trials. They focused on how adaptogens help balance the nervous system, hormone levels, and immune system under stress.

The study followed international guidelines to assess the strength of each experiment or trial. For example, they used the European Medicines Agency (EMA) assessment scale and the Natural Standards grading system to judge how solid the evidence was. The most important outcomes were measured through mental focus tests, hormone levels like cortisol, and physical endurance tasks.

In short, this was a detailed review of how adaptogens work and how they help people in stressful, real-life situations.

One of the most essential things the study found was that adaptogens help the body resist stress without causing side effects like addiction or sleep problems. Unlike potent stimulants such as caffeine or amphetamines, adaptogens work more gently and help the body stay balanced.

“Adaptogens increase the state of non-specific resistance in stress and decrease sensitivity to stressors,” the authors explain.

That means they help your body handle stress better, making you feel less tired and more focused. They can also help you avoid the "crash" that comes with regular stimulants.

Adaptogens also help prolong the phase of resistance in the stress response. Normally, after a short burst of energy during stress, the body crashes into exhaustion. Adaptogens help people stay in the resistance phase longer, giving the body more time to cope and recover.

Adaptogens help balance a system in your body called the HPA axis. This system controls how your body responds to stress and releases hormones like cortisol. When the HPA axis is working well, your body can react to stress and return to balance quickly. You might feel tired, anxious, or mentally foggy when it's not working.

The study found that adaptogens affect several key molecules:

• Hsp70 (Heat shock protein 70): A type of protein that helps fix damaged cells and supports recovery from stress.
• FOXO (Forkhead transcription factor): Helps control genes that affect survival, stress resistance, and aging.
• JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase): A protein that can cause inflammation and cell death if overstimulated.
• Cortisol: The primary stress hormone in the body. High levels over time are linked to depression, anxiety, and poor memory.
• Nitric oxide (NO): A molecule that affects energy and immune function.

“Adaptogens act like low molecular weight vaccines or stress-mimetics,” the paper says, meaning they gently activate the stress system to prepare the body for more serious challenges.

In one experiment, a blend called ADAPT-232 (a mix of Rhodiola, Schisandra, and Eleutherococcus) helped worms (C. elegans) live longer by 29%. That’s strong evidence that these herbs affect deep, cell-level processes related to aging and stress.

Each of the three main adaptogens has its own active ingredients:

• Rhodiola rosea: Contains salidroside and tyrosol. These support brain function and reduce damage caused by stress. They also affect proteins that help with memory and mood, like SIRT1 and monoamine oxidase.
• Schisandra chinensis: Rich in schisandrin and other lignans. These protect cells from oxidative stress and help the liver work better. They also increase ATP, which is your cell's energy source.
• Eleutherococcus senticosus: Contains eleutherosides, which help regulate hormones and support immune health.

These compounds often resemble the body’s stress hormones and can bind to the same receptors. This lets them "talk" to the body in a language it understands.

“The effect of adaptogens is mainly associated with their influence on key mediators of stress response,” the researchers write.

Human trials showed clear results, especially for mental fatigue, focus, and mood. In one study, people who took Rhodiola rosea for four weeks had less fatigue and higher attention scores. Their salivary cortisol levels also dropped, which may explain why their thinking improved.

In another study with Russian cosmonauts, the combination formula ADAPT-232 helped improve memory and performance in computer tasks during periods of stress and sleep loss.

Eleutherococcus senticosus was tested on over 6,000 healthy people and 2,200 patients in Soviet clinical trials. It showed improvements in mental and physical performance under tough conditions, like heat, noise, and high-pressure work environments.

Schisandra chinensis was shown to help with fatigue, irritability, and sleep problems in people with nervous disorders. It even helped patients with psychiatric symptoms recover faster when used with other treatments.

Adaptogens are special because they help the whole body deal with stress, not just one organ. This makes them useful for people who feel burned out, tired, or mentally foggy. Instead of just giving a short-term energy boost, adaptogens help the body restore energy naturally.

“Normal glucocorticoid receptor function and ATP levels are associated with the anti-fatigue and anti-depressive effects of adaptogens,” the study explains.

Because adaptogens also help balance stress hormones like cortisol, they may protect the brain over time. Chronic stress is known to harm areas of the brain involved in memory and learning. By keeping stress levels in check, adaptogens might help prevent these effects.

They may even help with aging. Molecules like FOXO and Hsp70 are linked to longevity and cell repair. By boosting these, adaptogens may support healthy aging from the inside out.

This scientific study strongly supports the idea that adaptogens are more than just herbal supplements—they’re a real tool for helping the body handle stress, improve mental focus, and recover from fatigue. By balancing stress hormones, protecting brain cells, and improving energy levels, adaptogens may offer long-lasting support for physical and mental health.

Unlike synthetic stimulants, adaptogens work with the body’s natural systems. They don’t just push harder—they help restore balance. Whether you're dealing with everyday stress, job burnout, or just feeling mentally drained, adaptogens like Rhodiola rosea, Schisandra chinensis, and Eleutherococcus senticosus may help you bounce back stronger.

As researchers continue to study these powerful plants, it’s clear that adaptogens have the potential to be a key part of natural health routines—and possibly the future of stress relief.