End the stress, before it ends you

Stress is the body's response to a demanding situation, whether it's overwork at the office or a grueling workout at the gym . When your brain perceives that you are in some kind of danger or that you need maximum performance, the body's defense mechanisms activate the "fight or flight" response.

This is your body's survival instinct kicking in to protect you, honed over years of evolution. It is designed to clear your mind, increase your energy and improve your concentration, so that you can overcome the problem you are facing or escape it intact in the shortest possible time. In essence, stress is actually a good thing, as it can save your life.

As you probably know, your body is built to release the hormone cortisol to respond to stress , but elevated cortisol levels over long periods of time and chronic stress can affect every physiological system in your body, including the thyroid and glands. adrenals.

Long-term chronic stress leads to adrenal fatigue and even potentially more dangerous problems, if not treated early. While most researchers and clinicians agree that a multifunctional approach is necessary to reduce chronic stress, at Bionobo we propose an innovative approach to ending stress naturally, as well as reducing cortisol levels. long-term through the use of adaptogenic herbs.

What are adaptogens?

Adaptogens are compounds extracted from plants that help regulate the body's response to stress. They can come from herbs, fungi, and roots, and many have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Adaptogens are a unique class of healing plants : They help balance, restore and protect the body by normalizing physiological functions.

The term adaptogenic herbs or substances was first recorded in 1947 by NV Lazarev, a Russian scientist, who used it to describe the effect of increasing the body's resistance to stress.

Scientists say that adaptogens act on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis - the interaction between the brain and the adrenal glands - and the sympathetic-adrenal system - the part of the nervous system that helps control the body's response to stress. stress -. According to an article published in the journal Pharmaceuticals, adaptogens can help boost focus and stamina in situations where fatigue and/or feelings of weakness could decrease performance. They can also help the body resist stress-induced neuroendocrine and immune system disturbances.

What are adaptogens used for?

The short answer: they help the body deal with stress . However, the more accurate answer is that adaptogens are used to help the body maintain the resistance phase of general adaptation syndrome for longer, helping to avoid the exhaustion phase.

So what does that mean exactly? The 3 phases of stress

When we are faced with a stressor (any source of mental or physical stress), our body deals with it through a process called general adaptation syndrome (ARA). This process consists of three phases: alarm, resistance and exhaustion.

The alarm phase is the fight or flight reaction described above. Something worrisome appears, so the heart rate increases, adrenaline pumps, and the hormone cortisol is released. These changes make you feel alert and energized to protect yourself from any threat or danger.

The resistance stage is the one that occurs right after fighting the “shark”, taking the exam or finishing the training. Your body begins to recover from the "trauma" of the event, returning your blood pressure to normal and stopping the release of cortisol. If the source of stress is completely removed, the body will return to its pre-stress state. However, if the stress persists for a long time and you remain alert, your body will try to adapt to this condition, recognizing it as the new normal. In other words, you learn to live with stress. This is acceptable, up to a point, but if your body continues on this borderline between alarm and resistance for too long, with no room for proper recovery, the stress will overwhelm the body and you will enter phase 3 of ARA: burnout.

The exhaustion phase is exactly what it sounds like. You may feel tired, anxious, have an unstable mood, and be more susceptible to illness due to a compromised immune system. In any case, if you are in the exhaustion phase, you need to rest, or you will suffer a serious decline in health and performance.

Adaptogens help you stay in the ARA's stamina phase for longer, giving your body time to recharge before further damage is dealt. In this regard, adaptogens are believed to have a stimulating effect, speeding up the recovery process which supports healthy stress hormone levels. 

Should I take adaptogenic supplements?

The answer is simple and straightforward, Adaptogens are the supplements of the future.

Health professionals agree that our bodies are in a prolonged state of constant stress due to work, personal relationships, or simply the day-to-day problems that come with tight deadlines, hectic schedules, and not being able to have enough time to rest since there is also stress at the physiological level. Stressors like lack of sleep, sedentary jobs, and overexposure to toxins through diet and the environment can have a huge impact on our physical and emotional well-being.

As Tom Smale, co-founder of Wunder Workshop and an expert on adaptogens, explains: "Today's modern lifestyle leaves many of us susceptible to fatigue, low energy and a weakened immune system. Adaptogens are for anyone who wants to improve their health in general".

Although they seem ideal for those who suffer from stress, adaptogens offer us benefits for our mood, cognitive development, and the regulation of stress and energy levels. They can also help regulate cortisol and promote sports performance. In addition, they have been used for centuries in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine, so they are supported by their ancient use, as well as recent studies.

How to know which adaptogen to take?

With dozens of adaptogens on the health shelves, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Let us guide you when choosing the most suitable one for you...

BEST FOR STRESS – GINGSENG PANAX: "Ginseng is especially useful for treating anxiety and stress-related problems such as depression."

BEST FOR SLEEP - REISHI : "Reishi is the best for calming busy minds, and helps balance mood and energy."

BEST FOR FITNESS - SHITAKE: "Shiitake is widely recognized as a nutritional powerhouse of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin), magnesium, phosphorous, and zinc."

THE BEST FOR FATIGUE – ALKALINE FULVIC ACID: " It is ideal for increasing energy levels and nourishing our body with more than 70 minerals, vitamins, amino acids and electrolytes at the cellular level. Ginseng is also worth trying, as it can promote concentration and keep the mind sharp."

THE BEST FOR COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT- MELENA DE LEÓN: "Melena de León mushrooms are composed of 2 bioactive components (hericenones and erinacines) that are very important for the growth of the nervous system and the growth of new neurons."

How long will it take to see results? Are they instant?

Some people experience instant effects after taking adaptogens , but it can take weeks before you notice any real changes. The response to adaptogens can be difficult to estimate, as it depends on the degree of stress of the individual and the length of time the stress has been endured. When starting adaptogens, it is best to take them for 10-12 weeks and keep a symptom diary. This allows you to recognize subtle changes and make a comparison between weeks 1 and 12 .

For how long should I take them?

It should be noted that adaptogens should not be taken long-term (more than 1 year), it is better to take a break after taking it for six months, as the body can create Resistance . The goal of an adaptogen is to bring our body back into homeostasis so that it can handle stress well enough on its own; the ultimate goal is not to become dependent on them, but to restore balance to the body.

Where should I start?

Taking an adaptogen on its own is a good start, but experts say the best results are taking a combination formula.

At Bionobo we have made it easy for you, we have developed a new product based on adaptogens, BIOHACK® , our exclusive formula of adaptogens (organic mushrooms) with Maitake, Reishi, Shiitake, Lion's Mane, Chaga and astragalus root, acerola fruit and black pepper - all in one convenient capsule, providing important nutrients (such as vegan vitamin C and vitamin D) and active ingredients not found in other plants.

If you want to know more about the benefits of Biohack® and its ingredients, keep reading below. To buy Biohack® click on this link to visit our store.

Many of our clients have obtained the best results by combining Biohack® with Alcalina® and NEUR-ON®, which is why we have prepared this pack where we include all 3 products at an unbeatable price. SEE PACK

1. Panax Ginseng

Benefit-rich ginseng is a well-known adaptogen, with Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) considered by many to be the most potent. In humans, Panax ginseng has been shown to successfully improve subjective calm and some aspects of working memory performance in adults and youth.

Interestingly, multiple studies on Panax ginseng have found that it does not directly alter cortisol levels, at least in the short term, but it does affect other stress response systems, such as blocking the action of ACTH on the adrenal gland ( a hormone that stimulates the production of glucocorticoid steroid hormones).

Red ginseng also has antioxidant effects—it has been found to improve mood and mental performance in small studies, may lower fasting blood sugar levels, and may even help newly diagnosed diabetic patients lose weight.

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a common decay fungus of birch and some other deciduous trees. Tea made from them has been used in Finland for hundreds of years, especially as an adaptogen and as a natural medicine.

Chaga mushroom has the highest ORAC value (measure of antioxidant capacity) than any other food. Reduces cholesterol, triglycerides, inflammation and oxidative stress. Chaga mushroom fruiting body polysaccharides (PFIOs) have been shown to effectively promote macrophage activation through the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, which regulate immune system function.

3. Lion's mane

Lion's mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are white, globe-shaped mushrooms that have long, hairy spines. They offer a number of health benefits, such as reduced inflammation and improved cognitive and heart health.

Lion's mane mushrooms may improve the immune system, in part by reducing inflammation and preventing oxidation as well as boosting the activity of the intestinal immune system. Extracts from lion's mane mushrooms may be beneficial in the treatment of anxiety and depression.

But one of its greatest benefits is for cognitive function since it helps concentration and recognition memory, helping to prevent diseases that cause a deterioration in cognitive health, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

4.Reishi mushroom

For thousands of years, the Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) has been used in Chinese medicine to calm the mind and to relieve dizziness, insomnia, and anxiety. Reishi was first discovered and used around 2,500 years ago, when it was used mainly in royal and wealthy circles.

Reishi is known to promote health and balance bodily functions without side effects. Reishi is believed to increase the so-called shen, which in Chinese medicine is the channel for the connection of the heart and mind. Reishi contains a huge variety of bioactive polysaccharides, beta-glucans, and more than 120 different triterpenoid compounds.

Reishi's ingredients affect the cells that regulate the immune system. Reishi can stimulate or silence the immune system, balancing and teaching cells to adapt to responses produced by the environment. Due to these properties, Reishi acts as an immunomodulator. According to studies, Reishi increases general well-being, raises HDL cholesterol, activates the immune system (CD3 and CD4 lymphocytes, NK cells), lowers TNF-alpha and reduces fatigue.

5. astragalus root

Used in Chinese medicine, astragalus is known to strengthen the immune system and dampen the effects of stress.

A 2005 study looked at the impact of astragalus root in piglets and found that, at a dose of 500 mg/kg, the adaptogen "decreased the release of inflammatory cytokines and corticosteroids [a stress hormone] and enhanced the proliferative response." of lymphocytes". (30) Excessive inflammation and lymphocyte proliferation, or the replication of a specific type of white blood cell, are both associated with stress responses.

An animal study demonstrates the ability of astragalus as an adaptogen to enhance immunity and antioxidant levels.

6. shiitake mushroom

Shiitake mushrooms have one of the highest amounts of naturally occurring copper, a mineral that contributes to healthy blood vessels, bones, and the immune system. Mushrooms are also a rich source of selenium and are rich in polysaccharides such as lentinans and other beta-glucans. These compounds protect against cell damage, support the immune system, and stimulate the production of white blood cells to fight microbes. Polysaccharides also have anti-inflammatory properties.

7. Maitake

Maitake is one of the most beneficial functional mushrooms in the world. This mushroom offers a wide range of health benefits, including its ability to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and immune health.

Maitake contains an impressive amount of polysaccharides, triterpenes, and other bioactive chemicals known to offer a wide range of health benefits. Research shows that its beta-glucan content has immune-supporting effects and antiviral properties. The mushroom's bioactive polysaccharides help protect the body from pathogens, which is especially useful when there's a cold at the office or when you're under stress and your immune system is weakened. As a beneficial adaptogen, Maitake helps promote the body's natural balance and healthy stress response. In another study, Maitake has been shown to support healthy blood sugar levels, help lower insulin, and promote weight management.

*In our exclusive formula we have included two ingredients that not only contribute nutritionally but also help our body to absorb and use the ingredients described above.

8. Acerola fruit

Acerola cherries are nutrient-dense and in particular are exceptionally high in naturally bioavailable vitamin C. In fact, researchers have identified nearly 150 nutritional components, including bioflavonoids, proteins, mineral salts, iron, calcium, and phosphorus.

9. Black pepper

Black pepper is the fruit of the black pepper plant of the Piperaceae family. Piperine is the alkaloid in black pepper responsible for its pungency. Not only is it a very good anti-inflammatory agent, but it has been added to increase the absorption and utilization of the beneficial ingredients in the formula.