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Peak & Mean Power + Power Capacity Increase (5-8%) in 11 Trained Women W/ OTC Rhodiola Extract in Non-Sponsored Cross-Over Trial ++ Review of Evidence from Other Studies

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While there's some evidence that other plants from the genus "Rhodiola" may have similar effects, you want to rely on the std. exctracts from "Rhodiola Rosea" that were used in several studies if you want to try it | for dosage recommendation, see bottom line. Some of you will probably remember that " Rhodiola " aka"Golden Root" is a putative adaptogen, i.e. a "nontoxic [sic!] substance and especially a plant extract that is held to increase the body's ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and promote or restore normal physiological functioning" (Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary )... No? Well, I remembered "Rhodiola Rosea", as I should have written before to avoid confusion with other plants from the  same genus , when I saw a recent post by Jason Cholewa on Facebook. The link to a study that was attached to the post didn't just remind me of this almost forgotten herb (ten years ago it was used...
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16 Little Known Plants + Phytocompounds to Control(!) Your Cortisol Levels | Plus: A Dozen Better-Known Alternatives

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Don't forget: Cortisol is no stressor, it's released to help us cope w/ stress. While I have repeatedly emphasized that the notion of cortisol as the "muscle-catabolic stress hormone" you have to "keep as low as possible" is fundamentally flawed, there are reasons why you may want to control your cortisol levels within what would be considered the circadian normal zone, i.e. high(er) levels of cortisol that get you going upon waking, lower levels of cortisol in the PM and at night to facilitate optimal glucose control, avoid HPTA suppression (=keep normal thyroid, GH, and testosterone/estrogen levels), allow for healthy and recuperative sleep and so on and so forth. If you are physically healthy and not overweight/obese, you are probably able to achieve this goal if you have the following (health) habits: (1) getting enough sleep (6-8h), (2) adhering to fundamental rules of sleep hygiene (same time, same routine, no blue light exposure before and dur...
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Cordyceps militaris Improves Tolerance to High Intensity Exercise - Effects Take Time and High Dosages (4g/day)

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In China, cordyceps is also used in dishes - here: Chicken With Mushroom & Cordyceps Militaris Soup. Cordyceps is the tribulus of adaptogens... why's that? If you look at the scientific evidence supporting its efficacy the results are similarly ambiguous as they are for tribulus and still, Cordyceps has been among the supplemental topsellers for years - and rarely in the way it is used in classic Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) for respiratory and kidney diseases, renal dysfunction, and cardiac dysfunction (Zhu, Halpern, & Jones, 1998b). The popularity dates back to bogus rumors about Chinese female athletes in the 1990s - god knows what these "world-recordbreaking" athletes took, but cordiceps was almost certainly not the most effective of the PED cocktail. For longer sprints bicarbonate may be the more effective choice The Hazards of Acidosis Build Bigger Legs W/ Bicarbonate HIIT it Hard W/ NaCHO3 Creatine + BA = Perfect Match Bicarb ...
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Ashwagandha Boosts Size & Strength Increases, Augments Fat Loss & Recovery in 8-Week Resistance Training Study

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Ashwaghanda may be for gymrats, too. Ashwaganda is one of the supplements that has been around forever. While this would suggest that it works, the relatively low number of people who actually use it suggests otherwise and scientific evidence in form of peer-reviewed, non-sponsored studies that would allow us to draw a reliable conclusion with regard to its usefulness for athletes is rare... Well, actually there are only four studies on Withania somnifera, which is also known as Indian Ginseng or Winter Cherry, of which you could say that they are at least relevant to the topic - even though none of them was conducted in resistance trained / training individuals. Read more about exercise-related studies at the SuppVersity Tri- or Multi-Set Training for Body Recomp.? Aug '15 Ex.Res. Upd.: Nitrate, Glycogen, and ... Pre-Exhaustion Exhausts Your Growth Potential Full ROM ➯ Full Gains - Form Counts! Body Pump, Cardio & Exercise Expenditure Study Indicates Cu...
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