Let us start with the basics: how do we define stress? In 1936, the British Journal of Medicine published an article introducing this new concept through general adaptation syndrome (GAS). It defined stress as the body’s non-specific response to an unpleasant or harmful stimulus — a stressor — together with the effort required to overcome it or adapt to it. We may all be unique, yet the article described a response to stressful stimuli that follows three stages common to most people: reaction, resistance and exhaustion.
First, the body receives an alarm signal and then prepares to deal with the adverse situation. If the situation persists and we are unable to resolve it within one to three months, we enter the third stage. At this point, the body becomes severely depleted and exhausted, which can lead to serious damage and compromise vital functions.
The author of the article was Hans Selye, widely regarded as the father of stress research. This Austro-Hungarian physician published a large number of scientific studies on stress and laid the foundations for the concept as it is understood today in the field of health. His findings, however, also came with an interesting linguistic twist. Although he spoke seven languages and spent much of his professional career in the United States and Canada, his command of English was not yet perfect in 1936.
This is why we now use the word stress rather than strain, the English term that more accurately conveys ideas such as pressure, tension and overload, as Selye himself acknowledged several years later.
Origins and causes: are stress and distress part of a vicious circle?
Today, the scientific community tends to define stress as a dynamic process shaped by internal and external factors, as well as by the interaction between them: the individual, their circumstances, and the way they interpret and respond to those circumstances.
Within this theoretical framework, stress arises when a situation feels overwhelming and the individual does not have the resources needed to cope with or overcome it.
1. Stress accelerates ageing
Chronic stress promotes cellular oxidation, contributes to higher blood pressure and may lead to anxiety and depression. Among the many ways stress can affect health, its potential to impair the immune response is particularly significant, as highlighted in a 2006 meta-analysis based on 300 previous scientific studies.
In traditional medicine, adaptogenic substances have been used to help counteract the biochemical and emotional effects associated with stress. The meta-analysis cited above, together with numerous more recent publications, supports the use of adaptogens and describes their specific activity in relation to stress-related factors.
The mushrooms associated with stress management and relief include Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), Cordyceps sinensis and Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane). Overall, the triterpenes and polysaccharides found in these species have been shown to:
- improve mood;
- reduce fatigue;
- reduce the incidence of illness;
- support greater longevity.
Hifas da Terra is a laboratory with more than 25 years of experience in producing mushroom species used in traditional medicine and researching their applications. One of the standout products in its range is HIFAS-Equilibrium, a food supplement that combines the three mushroom species mentioned above and has been studied for its effects on sleep.
Fatigue, irritability and other consequences of stress
From a psychological perspective, work-related stress might unfold as follows: when you are under pressure at work, you may respond by working longer hours. As a result, you may feel increasingly tired and find it more difficult to manage your everyday responsibilities. This frustration could lead you to consume more caffeine, tobacco or alcohol, or to rely on substances that help you sleep.
This example helps us understand the far-reaching effects of a stressful situation and the impact stress can have on health. However, both susceptibility to stress and the ability to tolerate it vary from person to person. As we will see below, a negative response to an adverse situation, together with the third stage described by Dr Selye becoming prolonged, may have serious consequences for vital functions.
Below, we will examine the effects of stress across five key areas and explore the natural substances that may help to counteract them.
2. Do you have a headache? Are you struggling to sleep?
As surprising as it may seem, stress is a common trigger for headaches and migraines. A 1997 study highlighted this link in 50–70% of participants.
The triterpenes found in Ganoderma lucidum have a calming effect on the nervous system. Studies conducted in animal models observed a sedative effect on the central nervous system, which:
- increases sleep duration;
- reduces spontaneous motor activity.
3. The connection between the brain and the digestive system
For years, we have known that the links between our nervous and digestive systems have far-reaching implications—greater than we could ever have imagined. It is no coincidence that the gut is often referred to as our “second brain”. We now know that stress plays a role in the development of irritable bowel syndrome, which is characterised by constipation and/or diarrhoea, abdominal pain and bloating.
The anti-inflammatory properties of Reishi may help manage common digestive disorders, as may its sedative properties. Indeed, a 1991 study showed that patients with digestive problems responded to treatments commonly used in cases of stress. Intestinal disorders are also often associated with dysregulation of the gut microbiota, also known as the intestinal flora.
In this regard, compounds found in Lion’s Mane have been shown to help restore balance within the gut. Among the compounds of particular interest in this mushroom are hericenones. Their distinctive feature is their ability to promote the formation of new neurons—a process known as neurogenesis—which is directly associated with antidepressant and anxiolytic effects.
The effects of these compounds were assessed in a scientific study involving 30 women, with an average age of approximately 41, all of whom were experiencing various health complaints. The findings indicated that Lion’s Mane may help reduce anxiety and depression.
4. Hormones and fatigue: more closely linked than you might think
According to experts, stress may also be associated with hyperthyroidism. In stressful situations, the body releases glucocorticoids that may disrupt the immune response and increase interleukin levels, a common feature of autoimmune diseases.
In this context, the triterpenoid compounds found in Ganoderma lucidum are known to have powerful immunomodulatory activity and may influence antibody production. The properties of Cordyceps as an endocrine regulator have also been examined in a double-blind trial. The findings suggest that this mushroom may help normalise the physiological effects of stress on the thyroid and other endocrine glands.
Furthermore, the adenosine identified in Cordyceps sinensis may increase resistance to fatigue by 73% after at least three weeks of intake, making it particularly relevant when your body needs more energy.
5. Stress… straight to the heart
Stress increases the risk of high blood pressure, a common factor in cardiovascular disease. Although it is not a direct cause of hypertension, it can raise levels of catecholamines, cortisol, vasopressin, endorphins and aldosterone — hormones associated with increased blood pressure.
The results of the INTERHEART study showed that people who reported experiencing “permanent stress” were more likely to suffer a heart attack.
Summary
To help counteract these effects, it is worth looking more closely at the compounds found in Reishi and Cordyceps. These medicinal mushrooms contain polysaccharides with demonstrated lipid-lowering, hypotensive and antithrombotic effects, as well as other cardiotonic substances. To learn more about these medicinal mushrooms, visit the Pure Mushrooms section of our website.
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