Feeling the Weight of Stress? This Form of Ginseng Might Be Your New Go-To for Clarity and Calm
Most of us are walking around under a pretty steady cloud of stress. Whether it’s work, parenting, world events, or just the relentless pace of life, chronic stress has become an everyday companion—and not the helpful kind.
Long-term stress doesn’t just affect your mood. It’s been linked to everything from cardiovascular issues to inflammation, poor sleep, anxiety, brain fog, and even depression.² So the real question is: what can we do about it that doesn’t involve another prescription or quick-fix gimmick?
One of my favorite natural tools for nervous system support? Panax ginseng—specifically the form found in Thorne’s Ginseng Plus.
And now, science is backing that up.
A Closer Look at Ginseng’s Stress-Relieving Power
Panax ginseng (also known as Asian or Korean ginseng) has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to promote vitality, resilience, and mental clarity. The magic lies in its active compounds—ginsenosides, polysaccharides, and antioxidants—which support your stress response at a cellular level.
Ginseng works by modulating the HPA axis (your body’s main stress response system), balancing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. These actions support emotional balance, sharpen mental clarity, and may even protect brain cells over time.
What the Research Found
A recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial studied the effects of daily Panax ginseng supplementation in moderately stressed adults over three weeks. Participants took 200 mg of ginseng daily or a placebo and were evaluated on stress levels, mood, and cognitive performance.
Here’s what happened:
✅ Lower stress levels
The ginseng group had a greater reduction in perceived stress than the placebo group (−4.3 vs. −2.7 points on the stress scale; p = 0.040).¹
✅ Less emotional reactivity
Participants felt less irritability and tension compared to placebo (−2.6 vs. −1.1 on negative emotion scales; p = 0.032).¹
✅ Sharper thinking under pressure
Ginseng improved accuracy and speed on memory and problem-solving tasks—suggesting better focus and mental clarity.
✅ A trend toward improved mood
Depression scores dropped more in the ginseng group (−6.4 vs. −4.7), though this wasn’t statistically significant (p = 0.073).¹
Why I Recommend Thorne’s Ginseng Plus
Not all ginseng supplements are created equal. That’s why I trust Thorne’s Ginseng Plus—a clean, potent blend formulated with adaptogens like Panax ginseng and Eleuthero to support mental energy, stress resilience, and immune function.
Thorne is a trusted name in functional medicine, used by top-tier practitioners, athletes, and researchers alike. If you’re looking for a reliable way to support your stress response without stimulants or side effects, this is a solid place to start. (And yes, you’ll get 15% off when you shop through Fullscript HERE—plus access to all my other favorite practitioner-grade supplements with the same discount)
If you’re feeling mentally foggy, emotionally stretched, or just in need of extra support, Panax ginseng may be the boost your brain and body need.
Try Thorne’s Ginseng Plus and see how just a few weeks of consistent support can help you feel clearer, calmer, and more in control.
Your nervous system deserves it.
References
Dormal, V., Jonniaux, L., Buchet, M., Simar, L., Copine, S., & Deldicque, L. (2025). Effect of hydroponically grown red Panax ginseng on perceived stress level, emotional processing, and cognitive functions in moderately stressed adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Nutrients, 17(6), 955. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17060955
Chu, B., Marwaha, K., Sanvictores, T., & Ayers, D. (2024). Physiology, stress reaction. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541120/
Iqbal, H., Kim, S. K., Cha, K. M., Jeong, M. S., Ghosh, P., & Rhee, D. K. (2020). Korean red ginseng alleviates neuroinflammation and promotes cell survival in the intermittent heat stress-induced rat brain by suppressing oxidative stress via estrogen receptor beta and brain-derived neurotrophic factor upregulation. Journal of Ginseng Research, 44(5), 593–602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgr.2019.09.007
Lee, B. (2012). Effect of ginsenoside Re on depression- and anxiety-like behaviors and cognition memory deficit induced by repeated immobilization in rats. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 22(5), 708–720. https://doi.org/10.4014/jmb.1112.12057
