Adaptogens are having a moment. But they've been used for thousands of years — and the science behind them is more interesting than the wellness industry gives them credit for. Here's what they actually are and what they actually do.
The word nobody can quite define
Adaptogen is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot in wellness circles without much explanation. It sounds impressive. It appears on packaging next to words like ancient, natural and powerful. But what does it actually mean?
The term was coined in 1947 by Soviet pharmacologist Nikolai Lazarev, who used it to describe a substance that increases the body's non-specific resistance to stress. In plain English: a compound that helps your body adapt to whatever is being thrown at it — physical, mental or environmental stress — without pushing it too hard in one direction.
Unlike stimulants, which force a reaction, adaptogens work by reading your body's state and responding accordingly. Wired? They help you settle. Fatigued? They help you lift. They don't override your system — they support it.
How do they work?
Adaptogens primarily work by regulating the HPA axis — the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which governs your body's stress response. When you're under stress, your adrenal glands release cortisol. In short bursts that's useful. Sustained over weeks and months — from work pressure, poor sleep, not eating properly, not moving your body — elevated cortisol starts to cause real damage. Disrupted sleep. Brain fog. Low energy. Weakened immunity. Hormonal imbalance.
Adaptogens help moderate that cortisol response. They don't suppress it entirely — you need a functioning stress response — but they help prevent the kind of chronic cortisol elevation that quietly dismantles your health over time. Read what chronic stress actually looks like when it catches up with you.
The goal isn't to eliminate stress. It's to stop your body being destroyed by it.
Korean Ginseng — the energy adaptogen
Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is one of the most extensively studied adaptogens in the world and has been used in traditional East Asian medicine for over 2,000 years. It's best known for supporting energy and mental performance — not by spiking you like caffeine, but by improving your body's efficiency at producing and using energy at a cellular level.
Research suggests Korean Ginseng may help reduce mental fatigue, improve reaction time and support cognitive performance under stress. It's also been studied for its effects on the immune system, blood sugar regulation and physical endurance.
GOOD MORNING MOTHERFUNGI® contains 1,000mg of Korean Ginseng per serving — a meaningful dose, not a trace amount included for label value.
Bacopa Monnieri — the memory adaptogen
Bacopa Monnieri is a small aquatic herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, primarily to support memory, learning and mental clarity. It contains active compounds called bacosides, which are thought to support the repair and growth of nerve endings in the brain — enhancing the speed at which nerve impulses are transmitted.
Several clinical studies have looked at Bacopa's effects on memory formation and retention, with results suggesting it may be particularly effective for reducing the rate at which we forget newly learned information. It's also been studied for its anxiolytic effects — meaning it may help reduce anxiety and improve mood stability without sedation.
It's worth noting that Bacopa is one of those ingredients that rewards patience. Most studies that show meaningful results use it consistently over 8–12 weeks. It's not a quick fix — it's a long game ingredient, which fits exactly with how we think about GOOD MORNING MOTHERFUNGI® as a whole.
GOOD MORNING MOTHERFUNGI® contains 1,000mg of Bacopa Monnieri per serving.
What makes something a true adaptogen?
Not everything marketed as an adaptogen actually qualifies. To be classified as a true adaptogen, a substance traditionally needs to meet three criteria:
1. Non-specific — it increases resistance to a broad range of stressors, not just one specific type.
2. Normalising — it helps return the body toward balance, whether the system is over- or under-activated. It doesn't just push in one direction.
3. Non-toxic — it must be safe for long-term use at normal doses, with no significant side effects.
Functional mushrooms like Lion's Mane, Chaga and Cordyceps also meet these criteria — which is why they sit alongside Korean Ginseng and Bacopa Monnieri in GOOD MORNING MOTHERFUNGI®. See how each mushroom works differently. The formula isn't random. Every ingredient earns its place.
Why adaptogens work better together
One of the most interesting things about adaptogens is that they tend to be more effective in combination than in isolation. The functional mushrooms and botanical adaptogens in GOOD MORNING MOTHERFUNGI® are formulated to work together — the mushrooms supporting cognitive function and immune health, the botanicals supporting stress resilience and memory, the vitamins covering the nutritional foundations, and the pea protein aiding absorption of the active ingredients.
5,000mg of active ingredients per serving. Every one of them there for a reason.
How to take adaptogens consistently
The most common reason adaptogens don't work for people is inconsistency. Because they work cumulatively — building up in your system and modulating your stress response over time — skipping days undermines the effect. They're not a supplement you take when you remember. They work best as a daily habit.
Which is exactly why GOOD MORNING MOTHERFUNGI® is designed the way it is. One level teaspoon (2g). Add it to your coffee, matcha, smoothie, protein shake, overnight oats or yoghurt bowl. Unflavoured. No new routine. No extra step. Just something you do every morning without thinking about it — and that compounds quietly in the background. Read how to build a morning routine around real, sustained energy.
That's the whole idea.