Your Guide to Adaptogens Vs Nootropics

Adaptogens vs nootropics are trending big, with influencers, health experts, and everyday people raving about their benefits for stress, focus, sleep, emotional well-being and more.

But before investing in the hottest new celebrity-endorsed adaptogenic nootropic supplement, it’s important to understand what you’re buying.

For example, should you buy an adaptogen vs nootropic, or would a combination formula of both be better (and BTW, what’s the difference?!)?

In this article, we’ll dive deep into adaptogens versus nootropics, including what they are, their benefits, examples of each, how to choose which (adaptogen vs. nootropic) is right for you, and how to find high-quality supplements and teas.

Adaptogens Vs Nootropics: What’s The Difference?

Traditional herbs have been categorized by their actions, benefits, energetics, tastes, and intended uses for thousands of years throughout countries and cultures.

Unlike pharmaceuticals, which are generally approved for a single function (though they may be used off-label for other things), herbs are multifaceted and, therefore, may be listed in multiple categories.

A few examples of herbal categories include:

• Adaptogens: Helps the body create resilience, energy, and vitality when under stress
• Alteratives: Restore healthy function, bolster effectiveness of other herbs, support digestion & detox
• Bitters: Promote liver and digestive health and detox
• Carminatives: Reduce and expel gas, promote comfortable digestion
• Demulcents: Coat the inner organs, like the digestive system
• Expectorants: Promote expulsion of mucous, support respiratory function
• Nervines: Support nervous system function
• Nootropics: Promote brain and cognitive function
• Rasayanas: Tonic-like herbs that promote overall health, longevity, and rejuvenation
• Sedatives: Relaxing, sleep-supportive herbs
• Tonics: Provide full-body benefits

These represent a small fraction of global herbal categories, which vary by culture, location and wellness practice.

In Ayurveda, for example, herbs are also categorized by their taste (bitter, sweet, salty, pungent, spicy astringent), energetics (cooling, drying, heating, etc.), effects on dosha (tridoshic, vata-pacifying, pitta-aggravating, etc.), astrological factors, and more.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll keep it simple and focus on two categories: adaptogens and nootropics.

Although adaptogens and nootropics share many qualities, such as promoting a healthy stress response, relaxation, and calm focus, and may even apply to the same plant, they are separate categories.

Let’s continue by looking at examples of adaptogens and nootropics in Ayurveda and other systems of herbalism.

Related reading: The Six Tastes of Ayurveda Explained

What are Adaptogens? + Examples in Ayurveda

Adaptogens are a category of herbs that help build resilience, strength, and vitality amid physical, energetic environmental or spiritual stress.

The term “adaptogen” was coined in the 1940s by a scientist in Russia who was studying the herb Schisandra.

In Ayurveda, adaptogens are closely related to Rasayanas (tonic-like herbs that promote excellence of body, mind, and spirit) and may be categorized as such.

Adaptogens work by supporting the normal function of the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis, which controls the flow and output of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

This is significant because the HPA axis has a downstream effect on all other hormonal processes in the body.

Examples of adaptogenic herbs in Ayurveda include:

• Ashwagandha: Also known as Withania somnifera, winter cherry, or Indian Ginseng, this adaptogenic and nootropic herb has become popular for promoting healthy sleep, increased energy, inner peace, endurance and more.
• Bacopa: Also known as Brahmi and the herb of grace, Bacopa is a nootropic, nervine, and adaptogen prized for its brain health and nervous system benefits.
• Tulsi: Also known as Holy Basil or the incomparable one, this sacred adaptogen is prized for its calming, stress-relieving, immune-supportive, detoxifying, spiritual-enhancing, and enlightening properties.
• Shatavari: Also known as Asparagus racemosus and the Queen of Herbs, this adaptogen is considered the ultimate lifelong female tonic.
• Turmeric: One of the most studied herbs on the planet, Turmeric and its active compound, Curcumin, have been central to Ayurvedic herbal formulas and cooking for centuries. Turmeric has been shown to support immunity, joint health and mobility, cardiovascular function, flexibility, antioxidant properties and much more.

Examples of adaptogens from other traditional herbal practices include:

• Maca: Also known as “Peruvian Ginseng,” this ancient cruciferous vegetable was prized by the Incas and Spanish conquistadors for promoting energy, stamina and virility and as a staple in cooking.
• Ginseng: Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western herbalism, various forms of Ginseng are prized for supporting energy, immune function, stamina, and reducing stress.
• Rhodiola: Also known as “Russian Ginseng,” Rhodiola, aka Rhodiola rosea, was used in traditional Russian herbalism to help people survive and thrive in harsh conditions.
• Mushrooms: Various functional mushrooms like Reishi and Cordyceps (technically a fungus) are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to mitigate the effects of stress and promote immunity and vitality.

These are just a few examples of many adaptogens used throughout the world.

Related reading: Holy Basil Uses Beyond Stress Management

What are Nootropics? + Examples in Ayurveda

Nootropics, also known as “brain tonics” or “medhya rasayana” in Ayurveda, are a category of herbs with cognitive, focus, memory, intelligence, and emotional support properties.

The word “nootropic” comes from the Greek words nous or “mind” and trepein, which means “to bend or turn.”

Although nootropic herbs are chemically unique, they all contain specific plant compounds, like various antioxidant properties believed to support the normal supply and function of neurochemicals, such as neurotransmitters, enzymes, and hormones, in the brain.

Some examples of nootropics in Ayurveda include:

• Gotu Kola: Like Bacopa, this herb is an adaptogen and a nootropic. Also known as the “herb of longevity, Gotu Kola is best known for its brain- and memory-supportive properties.
• Bacopa: Also listed above as an adaptogen, this “herb of grace” is a nootropic, nervine, and adaptogen with brain and nervous system support properties.
• Ashwagandha: Best known as an adaptogen, this beloved Ayurvedic herb is also a prized nootropic and emotional-support herb in Ayurveda.
• Celastrus paniculatus: Also known as “Black oil plant” and “intellect tree,” this ancient Ayurvedic herb is well-known for its brain, neurological, and sleep-supportive properties.
• Shankhpushpi: Regarded as one of Ayurveda’s most potent nootropics, Shankhpushpi is traditionally used to promote intellect, brain function, memory, reduce stress, and protect overall health.

Examples of nootropics from other traditional herbal practices include:

• Lemon balm: Also known as Melissa officinales, this herb promotes relaxation, cognitive function, and immune health.
• Saffron: Best known in the West as the most expensive culinary spice, “the golden spice” is prized in Middle Eastern herbalism as a powerful nootropic and relaxant. 
• Ginkgo Biloba: This tree leaf is well-known for its memory and cognitive support properties.

As you can see, there is plenty of overlap between adaptogens vs nootropics, which is why they’re often used interchangeably in various herbal formulas.

Related reading: 5 Gotu Kola Benefits for Brain

Primary Benefits of Adaptogens

The primary benefit and use of adaptogens is to help the body create resilience, vitality, and balance during times of stress.

Other benefits include:

• Supporting healthy sleep
• Supporting energy
• Promoting well-being
• Promoting relaxation
• Supporting calm focus

Primary Benefits of Nootropics

The primary benefit and use of nootropics is to support brain health, including various cognitive processes, memory, focus, attention, neurological, and executive functioning.

They also support nervous system function, sleep, and immune function.

Adaptogens vs Nootropics: Which is Best for You?

As you can see, many Ayurvedic herbs are categorized as adaptogens and nootropics.

So, when it comes to adaptogens vs nootropics — which is best for you? That depends on your health goals and individual constitution or Dosha.

For example, if you’re looking for ways to achieve greater inner peace, better quality sleep, and balanced energy, an herb with strong adaptogenic qualities, like Ashwagandha may be ideal.

Or, if you’re looking for better clarity of thought, focus, and memory, a well-studied nootropic herb like Bacopa, Gotu Kola, or our Memory formula (which combines the two) may be the best fit.

Your Ayurvedic practitioner can help you dial in the right herb or combination of herbs and lifestyle practices to meet your goals.

Can you Take Adaptogens with Nootropics?

Generally, yes.

As discussed previously, herbs are often categorized as adaptogens and nootropics, and many common Ayurvedic formulas contain a blend of both.

For example, Organic India’s Joy! formula combines adaptogens and nootropics to support a joyful expression of being.

Always check with your healthcare practitioner for individual recommendations.

Where to Start with Adaptogens and/or Nootropics for Better Health

Adaptogens and nootropics have been used for thousands of years to promote nearly every aspect of well-being, most notably stress response, energy, brain health, memory, immune function, and overall vitality.

The best place to start depends on your individual needs and health goals, so check with your Ayurvedic practitioner for recommendations.

Buying supplements from a reputable company that employs cGMP manufacturing practices, including testing for contaminants and identity, and uses organically-grown, fair-trade raw materials is also essential.

Organic India meets these criteria and then some! 

Since our inception, our company has been dedicated to empowering small Indian farmers to grow Ayurvedic herbs using regenerative organic farming methods. We also exceed cGMP manufacturing practices and are a Certified B-Corp.

Some of our best-selling adaptogens and nootropics include:

• Ashwagandha Capsules, Teas, Gummies, and Bulk Powder
• ROC™ Bacopa Capsules, also featured in Memory, Joy Supplements
• Gotu Kola Capsules, Memory, and Joy Supplement
• Shatavari Capsules and Essential Female Capsules
• Tulsi Teas, Capsules, Sleep Supplements, Bulk Herb
• Turmeric Capsules, Teas, Gummies, and Bulk Powder

Learn more about our company mission in our Impact Report.