Adaptogens?
- Thread starter AndroRage
- Start date
bolt10
Well-known member
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera: preferably Sensoril): Stress relief, improved sleep, and performance enhancement. I take 200mg (Abyss UP) or up to 450mg (3 caps Bioforge) when I use it. Haven't used it standalone.
Rhodiola Rosea (standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside): Stress relief and energy (reduced fatigue). Too much is just as inefficient as too little. I prefer 500mg pre-workout or upon waking (it can be somewhat stimulating).
Bacopa Monnieri (50% Bacopasides): Nootropic and anxiety relief.
Those are the three I use most often. Sure others can throw in more options as well.
Rhodiola Rosea (standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside): Stress relief and energy (reduced fatigue). Too much is just as inefficient as too little. I prefer 500mg pre-workout or upon waking (it can be somewhat stimulating).
Bacopa Monnieri (50% Bacopasides): Nootropic and anxiety relief.
Those are the three I use most often. Sure others can throw in more options as well.
AndroRage
Well-known member
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera: preferably Sensoril): Stress relief, improved sleep, and performance enhancement. I take 200mg (Abyss UP) or up to 450mg (3 caps Bioforge) when I use it. Haven't used it standalone.
Rhodiola Rosea (standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside): Stress relief and energy (reduced fatigue). Too much is just as inefficient as too little. I prefer 500mg pre-workout or upon waking (it can be somewhat stimulating).
Bacopa Monnieri (50% Bacopasides): Nootropic and anxiety relief.
Those are the three I use most often. Sure others can throw in more options as well.
Strong post.
Rhodiola Rosea was one interested in. Trouble is I can't find many products which contain solely that or ones without proprietary blends
jcc80
New member
They're everywhere. Lots of brands of rhodiola at vitamin shoppe, etc. Apparently a lot of people consider the shr-5 extract the best, but I haven't tried it.
xhrr
Well-known member
NOW has a standalone RR product and I know T-Nation does as well. The effects seem to be acute so a dose pre workout should suffice.
VaughnTrue
Well-known member
I love Rhodiola Rosea. I notice a big difference when using it. Compete includes it in it's formula in the "mental edge complex"
AndroRage
Well-known member
Acute?
Beau
Well-known member
Yes, purportedly, taking RR makes you more attractive.
jcc80
New member
And to follow up, this one isn't very impressive. I used to like bulk powder rhodiola from some sites
xhrr
Well-known member
as in it works the first time and does not need chronic dosing to be effective
mr.cooper69
Legend
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera: preferably Sensoril): Stress relief, improved sleep, and performance enhancement. I take 200mg (Abyss UP) or up to 450mg (3 caps Bioforge) when I use it. Haven't used it standalone.
Rhodiola Rosea (standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside): Stress relief and energy (reduced fatigue). Too much is just as inefficient as too little. I prefer 500mg pre-workout or upon waking (it can be somewhat stimulating).
Bacopa Monnieri (50% Bacopasides): Nootropic and anxiety relief.
Those are the three I use most often. Sure others can throw in more options as well.
These three are king. The amount of human evidence is overwhelming
tyrub42
Well-known member
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera: preferably Sensoril): Stress relief, improved sleep, and performance enhancement. I take 200mg (Abyss UP) or up to 450mg (3 caps Bioforge) when I use it. Haven't used it standalone.
Rhodiola Rosea (standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside): Stress relief and energy (reduced fatigue). Too much is just as inefficient as too little. I prefer 500mg pre-workout or upon waking (it can be somewhat stimulating).
Bacopa Monnieri (50% Bacopasides): Nootropic and anxiety relief.
Those are the three I use most often. Sure others can throw in more options as well.
Haven't even heard of that last one. Looks like I have some Googling to do. What's your favorite brand? I have ashwaganda on the way now to try to help me stay asleep all night and I am combining with relora as I heard the two are great together pre bed. How expensive is backpack? Thanks for the new info!
tyrub42
Well-known member
Maca has a big following. I have some bulk to try when I get a chance. It's cheap but I haven't tried it so can't say anything from experience. Not sure about performance (depending on what you mean by performance
) but I hear good things about well-being so I got some.mr.cooper69
Legend
Alpha-T2 uses a full dose of the proper extract of Bacopa. As for ashwaghanda, make sure it's standardized to a high % of withanolides.
mr.cooper69
Legend
SHR-5 is just 3% rosavin/1% salidroside. It's not the best, but it is standardized which helps
mr.cooper69
Legend
Most of rhodiola's effects are actually chronic. Some are acute, e.g. the performance enhancement secondary to increased pain threshold. Others, like anti-fatigue/pro-mood effects, will take months to manifest.
tyrub42
Well-known member
I got the NOW ashwaganda as it is the only one Nutraplanet had. How is that one?
bolt10
Well-known member
Should have just grabbed Abyss UP. It has Sensoril (Ashwagandha) and Relora.
I used Bacopa several years back, but hadn't used it again until it was put in the updated Alpha T2.
RecompMan
Well-known member
I love rhodiola especially pre workout
On a diff note VaughnTrue I tried dexaprine with the isopropyl octopamine. Legit 1 cap Saturday. Replacing my oep with it. Should be here Wednesday
tyrub42
Well-known member
Should have just grabbed Abyss UP. It has Sensoril (Ashwagandha) and Relora.
I used Bacopa several years back, but hadn't used it again until it was put in the updated Alpha T2.
Oh man that looks awesome. Plus it has gaba which i really like and 5htp in it (haven't tried 5htp but everyone loves it) and it is discounted to like 19 bucks right now...wish this thread got made last week
. I wish this thread got made a week ago, haha.Any idea how the NOW ashwaganda stacks up? I read somewhere about what the ideal percentage is and I think it's what is in Abyss, but not sure how NOW compares.
Either way I have those and melatonin on the way and a tub of GABA here so hopefully I can get some Zs from those.
Honestly I never thought about Alpha T2. I haven't been too interested in thermos as it is like a freakin rain forest here and I am constantly sweating too much (also diet control is the main thing I have trouble with so even with a thermo I might not see much), but it looks pretty interesting. I like the lack of stims as I never like the idea of loading up on stims for weight loss. Does it affect mood and well-being?
Thanks!
Tyler
cumminslifter
Well-known member
does anyone have any experience with panax ginseng
Beau
Well-known member
I do - but I am taking it along with a bunch of other things - so, candidly - I cannot attest that it (by itself) does anything specific.
cumminslifter
Well-known member
i just read that it is the most popular adaptogen
Sprinterguy4
Member
I took it a few years ago it was in my centrum performance vitamin. I can say that it gave me a nice little energy boost but this was before i ever took any supplements.
Beau
Well-known member
That is one of the reasons it is in my stack.
I can recommend:
Relora
Bacopa
5-HTP
Rhodiola
cumminslifter
Well-known member
never heard of the first 2, will look into them
tyrub42
Well-known member
I got some relora on the way now based on user reviews and can't wait to try it. Someone recommended stacking with ashwaganda for a great sleep stack, but I forgot who. I ordered both because of that, though, to keep me down through the night
bolt10
Well-known member
Oh man that looks awesome. Plus it has gaba which i really like and 5htp in it (haven't tried 5htp but everyone loves it) and it is discounted to like 19 bucks right now...wish this thread got made last week
Any idea how the NOW ashwaganda stacks up? I read somewhere about what the ideal percentage is and I think it's what is in Abyss, but not sure how NOW compares.
Either way I have those and melatonin on the way and a tub of GABA here so hopefully I can get some Zs from those.
Honestly I never thought about Alpha T2. I haven't been too interested in thermos as it is like a freakin rain forest here and I am constantly sweating too much (also diet control is the main thing I have trouble with so even with a thermo I might not see much), but it looks pretty interesting. I like the lack of stims as I never like the idea of loading up on stims for weight loss. Does it affect mood and well-being?
Thanks!
Tyler
You have a label for the NOW product you bought (or link)?
Bacopa is definetely one of the premier adaptogens IMO. I do feel it gives me a nice calm and stress relief benefit. Bacopa combined with the SA2-A extract in Alpha T2 does seem to have a mood boosting effect.
tyrub42
Well-known member
You have a label for the NOW product you bought (or link)?
Bacopa is definetely one of the premier adaptogens IMO. I do feel it gives me a nice calm and stress relief benefit. Bacopa combined with the SA2-A extract in Alpha T2 does seem to have a mood boosting effect.
Awesome; that might be something to look into in the future (definitely a winter-only supp though
).I only have the NOW label from the NP website that claims to be 4.5%, but I have heard of people getting bottles that were standardized to 2.5%. Here is the link: Invalid Link Removed . How does that look?
Thanks!
Tyler
bioman
Well-known member
NOW brand Relora, Ashwagandha, and Rhodiola are all great and generally better priced than most other brands. NOW is always legit. There are certainly higher percentage extracts out there, but when I'm curious about an herb I start with NOW.
Relora is great stuff although I don't think it is an adaptogen per se. MOA is supposedly somewhat valium-ish, upregulating GABA with one abstract claiming it boosts DHEA levels. I don't know how it works exactly, I just love it, lol.
Relora is great stuff although I don't think it is an adaptogen per se. MOA is supposedly somewhat valium-ish, upregulating GABA with one abstract claiming it boosts DHEA levels. I don't know how it works exactly, I just love it, lol.
bolt10
Well-known member
Awesome; that might be something to look into in the future (definitely a winter-only supp though
I only have the NOW label from the NP website that claims to be 4.5%, but I have heard of people getting bottles that were standardized to 2.5%. Here is the link: Invalid Link Removed . How does that look?
Thanks!
Tyler
That is probably fine. After I looked I honestly wasn't sure what standardization percent is even best. I usually just use Sensoril, but I use NOW for other ingredients quite often.
tyrub42
Well-known member
Really interesting info right there, thanks! So do you feel relora from single doses used when necessary like benzos? Same question for ashwaganda actually? Do either need to be taken daily?
tyrub42
Well-known member
I think sensoril is standardized to 8%, but it is also standardized for 2 different compounds that NOW doesn't list. I figure I laways like NOW brand stuff. Not always the most potent extracts but always consistent and good quality. Thanks man!
kisaj
Legend
I love Rhodiola, but over the years, I have noticed that there is a big difference in brands and not just the ratios they use. One 500mg 3:1 brand can make me really lazy and another brands 250 can make me bonkers with energy. The brands I have had the best luck with have been Gaia, Eclectic Institute, and Solgar.
bioman
Well-known member
Since I have actual time off this fall, I'll try to bring the sexy back as far as research goes...
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
And yes, some of those studies kinda suck, but I try to look at the big picture.
In general, smaller doses of RR will increase energy/alertness while larger doses are sedating. What those "doses" are is dependent upon the extract percentages, extract ratios and individual sensitivities. It took me quite a while to pin down what brand and dose to use for my purposes..but bottom line is that RR works and is fairly well researched for an herb.
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
And yes, some of those studies kinda suck, but I try to look at the big picture.
In general, smaller doses of RR will increase energy/alertness while larger doses are sedating. What those "doses" are is dependent upon the extract percentages, extract ratios and individual sensitivities. It took me quite a while to pin down what brand and dose to use for my purposes..but bottom line is that RR works and is fairly well researched for an herb.
kisaj
Legend
There is a definite bell curve. When I first started taking it, I assumed more was better because I needed a big boost and I took double the dose and within 45 minutes I fell asleep for 5 hours on the couch. I spent the next 5-6 hours in a lazy stupor. 100-250 at a 3:1 ratio is a sweet spot for me. Good natural energy, great stress response, and general heightened mood.
VaughnTrue
Well-known member
domore
Well-known member
I think the tough thing to handle with adaptogens is that their effects may take a month or two to manifest. And even then, it may be very subtle.
I'm beginning my second month of BaCognize (the patented extract at 250mg three times per day), and I've yet to notice much. I don't feel any acute anxiety relief. I will wait until a later date to assess its affect on working memory.
As for ashwagandha and rhodiola, I have a bottle of Sensoril that I'll be using sooner or later, and Matt will be releasing a product with a rhodiola rosea/rhodiola crenulata blend.
It is along the lines of adaptogens (I guess it would be labeled under TCM), but I prefer magnolia extract/lemon balm extract for anxiolytic effects (Non-TCM or non-adaptogen, I like theanine for this purpose).
I'm beginning my second month of BaCognize (the patented extract at 250mg three times per day), and I've yet to notice much. I don't feel any acute anxiety relief. I will wait until a later date to assess its affect on working memory.
As for ashwagandha and rhodiola, I have a bottle of Sensoril that I'll be using sooner or later, and Matt will be releasing a product with a rhodiola rosea/rhodiola crenulata blend.
It is along the lines of adaptogens (I guess it would be labeled under TCM), but I prefer magnolia extract/lemon balm extract for anxiolytic effects (Non-TCM or non-adaptogen, I like theanine for this purpose).
xhrr
Well-known member
Good stuff. I figured most are after the performance enhancement which is why I recommended a dose pre.
Any particular brand you trust for RR?
AndroRage
Well-known member
I have found a product that is 400mg per cap standardized to 3% Rosavins and 4% Salidroside. Is this good?
There's also the NOW Rhodiola?
Or Jarrow Rhodiola (5% rosavins)?
kisaj
Legend
How is this determined? I don't find it to be true based on my own use and anyone I know that takes it. The fatigue and mood benefits are the first noticeable to most people in a matter of days.
tyrub42
Well-known member
I have heard nothing but good things about cordyceps but I didn't think they were considered an adaptogen. I do have a bottle of bulk powder that I am hoping is good quality as I hear the quality of the extract is very important with cordyceps. Cordygen gets nothing but great reviews and is cheap. I mostly hear that it's effects are related to endurance, so I am not sure how much of a boost they would give you in your day-to-day life (although I should have a good idea within the next few months).
mr.cooper69
Legend
I use smartpowders bulk powder. Tastes awful but lasts forever
Determined based on scientific evidence. Especially with bacopa and rhodiola. Ashwaghanda produces more acute effects.
Synapsin
Well-known member
That's because they're worthless.