Your stress hormones follow a daily rhythm, and when that rhythm is off, sleep, energy, mood and other hormones often feel off too. Hormone & Stress Rhythm gathers the products I commonly use to support a healthy stress response and steady hormone balance.
Creating a Fullscript account is free, and you can look through every product before you decide anything.
The mechanisms this protocol supports
The HPA axis is the communication loop between the brain and the adrenal glands that manages cortisol. In a healthy rhythm, cortisol rises in the morning to help you wake and gradually falls in the evening so you can rest.
Methylation is a chemical process that depends on B vitamins, and the body uses it to process hormones such as estrogen and to make and break down neurotransmitters. Magnesium supports both the nervous system and hundreds of enzymes involved in the stress response.
Research has linked a flattened daily cortisol rhythm with fatigue, poor sleep and changes in mood, and chronic stress has also been linked with faster cellular aging. This protocol supports the rhythm itself instead of simply pushing energy up or down.
What is in the protocol
The exact products and directions are listed in the Fullscript plan, and here is what each one is commonly used to support.
- Qualia Magnesium+ combines several forms of magnesium that support the nervous system and a healthy stress response.
- Cortisol Manager from Integrative Therapeutics is a blend that includes ashwagandha and is commonly used to support a healthy evening cortisol pattern and restful sleep.
- HPA Adapt from Integrative Therapeutics is an adaptogen blend that is commonly used to support the HPA axis during periods of stress.
- Methyl-Guard Plus from Thorne provides methylated B vitamins and related nutrients that support methylation and hormone metabolism.
Related protocols you may find helpful include Sleep & Overnight Repair.
How to use it thoughtfully
- Please talk with your provider before starting, especially if you take medications, are pregnant or nursing, or have a health condition.
- This page does not list amounts, so follow the label or the specific guidance your provider gives you.
- When you can, add one product at a time so it is easier to notice how you feel.
- Sleep, nourishing food, daily movement and stress care are the foundation, and supplements are meant to build on them.
- Ashwagandha and some other adaptogens are not appropriate during pregnancy and can interact with thyroid, sedative and immune-related medications, so please check with your provider first.
Frequently asked questions
What does an adaptogen do?
Adaptogens are herbs that are commonly used to support the body’s ability to adapt to stress and to keep the stress response balanced.
Why is methylation part of a hormone protocol?
The body uses methylation to process hormones such as estrogen and to make and recycle neurotransmitters, so methylation nutrients support both hormone and mood balance.
Do I need an appointment to order these products?
No, you can create a free Fullscript account and order directly, although I always recommend checking with your own provider first, and a free 15-minute consult is available if you would like to talk it through.
Ready to see the full protocol?
Every product I use for this protocol is waiting for you in my Fullscript dispensary.
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Book a free 15-minute consult and we can talk it through together.
Educational purposes only. This page shares general information and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and these products are not intended to replace care from your own healthcare provider. Please talk with your provider before starting any supplement, especially if you take medications, are pregnant or nursing, or have a health condition.
Free: The 28-Day Longevity Reset
A simple day-by-day email guide to sleep, movement, food, and daily habits that support healthy aging. It’s free, and you can unsubscribe anytime.
Get the free guide