Life in Manchester, like any bustling city, can often feel like a whirlwind. Between work, family, social commitments, and the ever-present drizzle, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed. In our constant quest for balance, many of us turn to natural solutions to help us navigate these challenging moments. Today, I am diving into the doTERRA Adaptiv blend, a popular essential oil mix designed to promote feelings of calm and relaxation, and I'll even look at some interesting clinical trial data supporting its efficacy.
This was one of my favourite oils during lockdown for supporting my mental health on the front-line in a busy A&E department and it is still one I use daily for work and probably my most requested oil blend by my colleagues at work too!
What is doTERRA Adaptiv Blend?
Adaptiv is a proprietary blend of CPTG (Certified Pure Tested Grade) essential oils carefully selected for their soothing and uplifting properties. The blend typically includes:
- Lavender: Renowned for its calming and relaxing aroma, often used to promote restful sleep and ease tension.
- Magnolia: Known for its calming and uplifting properties, it can help create a sense of tranquility.
- Neroli: Derived from bitter orange blossoms, Neroli is cherished for its ability to reduce feelings of anxiousness and promote emotional well-being.
- Sweetgum: A unique essential oil with a comforting and grounding aroma, often used to help reduce stress.
- Copaiba: Known for its powerful antioxidant properties and its ability to soothe the nervous system.
- Spearmint: Offers an uplifting and invigorating aroma that can help reduce feelings of fatigue and improve mood.
- Rosemary: Traditionally used to enhance focus and reduce mental fatigue.
- Wild Orange: A cheerful and uplifting oil that can help boost mood and reduce stress.
Together, these oils create a synergistic blend that can be diffused, applied topically, or even taken internally (Adaptiv capsules are also available for convenient internal use). The aim is to help you adapt to stressful situations, promoting mental well-being and emotional resilience.
How Can You Use Adaptiv?
Here are a few ways you might incorporate Adaptiv into your daily routine:
- Diffusion: Add a few drops to your diffuser to create a calming atmosphere in your home or office. This is particularly lovely after a long day exploring the Northern Quarter or battling rush hour traffic.
- Topical Application: Apply a drop or two to your pulse points, the back of your neck, or the bottoms of your feet. Diluting with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil is recommended, especially for sensitive skin.
- Aromatherapy Inhaler: For on-the-go support, you can put a few drops on a cotton ball inside a personal aromatherapy inhaler.
- Bath Time: Add a few drops (mixed with a tablespoon of Epsom salts or a carrier oil) to a warm bath for a relaxing soak.
I used this oil also when lockdown dog walks were taking their toll on me and my nervous blind dog. With the sheer number of off -lead dogs with no recall invading on our space and stressing Inka out I found using this blend reduced my heart rate in these tense experiences - with peaks of apx 129 bpm as captured by my FitBit you can see my heart rate returning to normal quickly after use!
The Clinical Trial: What Did It Show?
While anecdotal evidence for essential oils is abundant, it's always reassuring to see scientific research supporting their use. doTERRA conducted an internal clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of the Adaptiv Calming Blend, particularly in reducing feelings of stress and promoting emotional well-being.
The trial, an IRB-approved, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design study, involved adults who reported experiencing daily stress. Participants were given either the Adaptiv Calming Blend (applied topically) or a placebo, and their stress levels and emotional states were monitored using various psychological questionnaires and physiological measurements.
Participants were randomized and put into two separate rooms, one where Adaptiv was being diffused and the other where a placebo was being diffused. To the horror of the participants, the assessments were a combination of math and word problems that progressively increased in difficulty. There were 15 questions in total with a time limit of 12 minutes. Furthermore, a countdown clock was projected onto the wall in each room. After completion of one assessment, participants would cross over, go into the opposite room and take the other assessment. Throughout the course of both assessments, each person wore a pulse oximeter to monitor their heart rate and a temperature strip on the forehead to measure autonomic response to the stress-inducing environment. Following the assessments, all participants answered a series of questions regarding how they felt throughout the test.
Key findings from the study indicated that participants using the Adaptiv Calming Blend reported a statistically significant reduction in feelings of stress, anxiousness, and tension compared to the placebo group. They also reported improved feelings of calmness, relaxation, and overall emotional balance. The physiological measurements (which can include things like heart rate variability or skin conductance) also showed trends consistent with reduced stress.
It's important to note that this was an internal study conducted by doTERRA. While the methodology (randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover) is robust, independent replication by external research institutions would further strengthen these findings. However, these initial results are promising and provide a scientific basis for the calming effects many users experience with Adaptiv.
Incorporating Adaptiv into Your Wellness Routine Whether you're dealing with the everyday stresses of A& E work or facing a particularly challenging period, doTERRA Adaptiv blend could be a valuable addition to your wellness toolkit.
Finding your calm doesn't have to be a monumental task. Sometimes, it's as simple as taking a moment to breathe, diffusing a comforting aroma, and letting nature's wisdom work its magic.
Pop to my Essential Oils Store to get Adaptiv for yourself.
Ready to embrace a holistic path to well-being for your entire family – paws and all? As a medical doctor specialising in integrative health, essential oils, and animal behaviour, I offer tailored consultations designed to empower you and your beloved pets.
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Please remember: Information shared is for educational purposes and not a substitute for medical or veterinary advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for specific health concerns.