11 May 2026 3 min read adaptogen

Adaptogens: Scientific Foundations and the Role of Medicinal Mushrooms

The concept of an adaptogen was formally introduced in 1947 by Soviet scientist Nikolai Lazarev, who established a distinct set of criteria to define these substances.

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Mycelial Library No.10

— THE HOOK —

You have seen this word everywhere over the last five years. At smoothie bars, in pharmacies, on wellness blogs. The label reads 'contains adaptogens' — yet what it actually means, no one fully explains.

Adaptogen is not a buzzword. It is a concept with decades of research history and defined biological criteria.

What Is an Adaptogen?

The term adaptogen was first used in 1947 by Soviet scientist Nikolai Lazarev. During the Cold War era, the Soviets conducted extensive studies on plants that enhance human adaptation capacity as part of military performance research.

Lazarev's definition was straightforward: substances that normalize the body's stress response, increase resistance to fatigue, and function without harming organ systems.

This definition rests on three core criteria:

1. Non-specific effect: Acts on general adaptation capacity rather than a single system.

2. Normalizing effect: Lowers what is elevated, raises what is diminished — it influences balance, not direction.

3. Harmlessness: Does not disrupt normal physiological function and produces no dependency.

Are Functional Mushrooms Adaptogens?

No — at least not all of them, and not in a direct sense. This distinction matters.

The term 'adaptogen' has been used technically for plant-derived compounds. In the literature, the more accurate term for functional mushrooms is 'immunomodulator' or 'biological response modifier.'

Nevertheless, certain mushroom species exhibit mechanisms that overlap with adaptogenic activity:

Cordyceps militaris: Studies on ATP synthesis and energy metabolism reveal mechanisms parallel to performance adaptation.

Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi): Its triterpene content, which influences the HPA axis, is examined within stress response research in contexts similar to adaptogenic plants.

Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane): Its NGF synthesis-supporting constituents feature in neuroadaptation research.

These mechanisms do not render the word 'adaptogenic' entirely unjustified. However, marketing mushroom powder as an 'adaptogen' constitutes a scientifically loose usage.

Why So Popular?

Because it answers a genuine need. The chronic stress burden of modern life, sleep disorders, cognitive fatigue — these are real and widespread problems.

Caffeine works but brings palpitations, anxiety, and a subsequent crash. Pharmaceuticals are effective but carry inherent risks. The 'adaptogen' category occupies a middle ground between these two poles: botanical, ancient, documented — yet not a drug.

This gap explains the growing interest in mushrooms and adaptogenic plants.

The MYCOVITA Perspective

We do not use the word 'adaptogen' in our products. There are two reasons: first, scientific precision; second, regulatory obligation.

Instead, we communicate each species' biological profile, its standing in the scientific literature, and its traditional use context. The decision is yours.

Mycelial Library No.10 | MYCOVITA

MYCOVITA products are food products. They carry no claim to treat, prevent, or cure any disease. If you have a health concern, consult your physician.

— SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES —

Lazarev, N.V. (1947). General and specific in the action of pharmacological agents. Pharmacology and Toxicology, 10(3), 81-86.
Panossian, A. & Wikman, G. (2010). Effects of Adaptogens on the Central Nervous System and the Molecular Mechanisms. Pharmaceuticals, 3(1), 188-224.
Panossian, A. (2017). Understanding adaptogenic activity: specificity of the pharmacological action of adaptogens and other phytochemicals. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1401(1), 49-64.
Todorova, V. et al. (2021). Plant Adaptogens — History and Future Perspectives. Nutrients, 13(8), 2861.