Supplement · Nootropics & cognition
Panax ginseng
Also known as: Korean ginseng, Asian ginseng
An adaptogen with early evidence for fatigue, cognition and, tentatively, performance.
- Evidence
- Silver· human data
- Sources cited
- 1
- Last reviewed
- 22 July 2026
Panax ginseng is a classic adaptogen used for energy, cognition and resilience to stress, with ginsenosides as its active compounds.
Human evidence is preliminary but reasonably active: some trials suggest reduced fatigue, modest cognitive and mood benefits, and improved immune measures, while exercise-performance results are mixed. Ginsenoside content varies a lot between products, which muddies the picture. It can affect blood sugar and interact with some drugs.