Thorne Stress Balance

Heavy training blocks stack physical stress on top of whatever life stress you're already carrying, and your body doesn't cleanly separate the two when it comes to cortisol and the rest of the stress-response system. Thorne's Stress Balance combines six adaptogen botanicals, including 150mg of KSM-66 ashwagandha, with a high-potency B-vitamin, vitamin C, and zinc blend built to support that system from more than one angle.

Six adaptogens working together – Ashwagandha, Asian ginseng, eleuthero, astragalus, ginger, and licorice each work through slightly different pathways, covering more ground than a single-ingredient adaptogen product.

High-potency B vitamins for stress-related fatigue – Thiamin and pantothenic acid are included at levels well above baseline daily needs, supporting the energy production that stress places extra demand on.

Supports a healthy cortisol response – The full combination is built to help your body normalize its stress response rather than sedate or stimulate it.

Adaptogens work by helping the body's stress-response system adapt more efficiently, rather than by directly sedating or stimulating you the way a drug would. Vitamin C is worth calling out specifically here: your adrenal glands hold one of the highest concentrations of it in the body, since it's a required cofactor for the hormones those glands produce. Pantothenic acid and thiamin round out that energy-production support, while zinc contributes to the immune and endocrine functions that come under extra strain during high-stress periods.

How to Use Thorne Stress Balance

Dose: Take two capsules one to two times daily, or as recommended by your health-care practitioner.

During a heavy training block or a particularly stressful stretch: Consistency matters most here. Adaptogens build their effect with regular use rather than working from a single dose.

Because of ginger's blood-thinning effect, use this with caution or avoid it if you're on anticoagulant therapy. Licorice root can raise blood pressure and deplete potassium with regular use, so check with your provider if you have high blood pressure or a heart condition. Vitamin C can cause loose stools in some people at this dose, which typically resolves by lowering the amount taken. If pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive, do not use this product.