Travis Barker Deals With Stress, Too. Here’s How He’s Solving It With Adaptogen Gummies
Adaptogens are having a moment in the wellness world — and Travis Barker is all-in.
The Blink-182 drummer’s premium health brand, Barker Wellness, recently expanded its line of adaptogen mushroom gummies into Target stores nationwide, making the buzzy supplements easier than ever to grab on a regular grocery run.
“I’ve always focused on building products that I actually use every day and that fit into real life,” Barker said in a press release published April 29. “We’re creating functional products that help people feel their best every day, and bringing these gummies to Target makes it easier for more people to make them part of their daily routine.”
So what are adaptogens, what’s actually in Barker’s gummies and should you try them? Here’s a breakdown.
What are adaptogens, exactly?
Adaptogens are natural, non-toxic plants, herbs and mushrooms that help the body manage and adapt to physical, chemical or biological stress, according to UCLA Health. They work by modulating the body’s stress response system (the HPA axis), balancing cortisol levels and restoring homeostasis to improve energy, focus and fatigue.
The Cleveland Clinic identifies three qualities that define an adaptogen: it must be non-toxic at normal doses, help the body cope with stress and allow the body to return to balance.
While there are hundreds of mushroom varieties, only about a dozen fit inside the functional mushroom category — and four are revered for their adaptogenic properties:
- Reishi: stress reduction and cortisol regulation, sleep enhancement and calming effects
- Cordyceps: potent antioxidant effects, modulates the HPA axis and balances stress hormones
- Lion’s Mane: stimulates nerve growth factor and neurogenesis, enhances memory, focus, clarity and mood
- Chaga: enhanced physical performance, oxygen utilization, anti-fatigue and endurance boost
Other common adaptogenic herbs include ashwagandha, astragalus, ginseng (both American and Asian), schisandra, holy basil, lemon balm, ginkgo biloba and bacopa monnieri.
What’s in Travis Barker’s adaptogen mushroom gummies?
According to the April 29 press release, the Barker Wellness gummies are made with “real fruit extracts and made without gluten, sugar, artificial flavors and preservatives.”
They come in four adaptogenic blends, each formulated for a different need. The lineup is designed to slot into a daily routine — energy in the morning, focus during the workday, calm in the evening and rest at night.
Daytime Blend supports energy, focus and immunity with a natural strawberry pineapple flavor. It’s formulated with Shiitake, Turkey Tail, Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi and Tremella mushrooms plus adaptogens Amla, Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Goji, Maca, Panax Ginseng, Siberian Ginseng and Schisandra.
Nighttime Blend supports rest, relaxation and recovery with a natural mixed berry lemon flavor. It includes Chaga, Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps and Reishi mushrooms plus Lemon Balm, Passion Flower, L-Theanine, Mucuna Pruriens, Ashwagandha, Holy Basil, Magnolia Bark and Wild Jujube.
Memory Focus/Brain Health supports memory, focus and cognitive function with a natural passion fruit watermelon punch flavor. It’s formulated with Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Cordyceps Mushroom, Cognizin, Ginkgo Biloba, Bacopa, Alpha GPC and Huperzine A.
Relax Magnesium offers calm support for stress, tension and daily balance with a natural tropical mango flavor, formulated with magnesium citrate, reishi mushroom powder and chamomile extract.
The product line is available online at Barker Wellness and Amazon, plus Sprouts locations across the country. As of April 29, the Daytime, Nighttime and Memory Focus/Brain Health gummies are also stocked at Target stores nationwide.
What to know before trying adaptogen mushroom gummies
Adaptogens aren’t risk-free, and experts say they shouldn’t be added to a daily routine without first consulting a doctor.
“Supplements in general are not highly regulated the way medications and drugs are,” says UCLA Health senior dietitian Dana Ellis Hunnes. “A bottle can say it contains ashwagandha or ginseng, but it’s not regulated by the FDA and may not have the right potency.”
Uma Naidoo, director of nutritional and lifestyle psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, advises caution before leaning on adaptogens as a wellness solution.
“I always encourage patients to view adaptogens as supportive tools – not quick fixes,” she told USA Today. “And I stress remembering to prioritize foundational habits like nutrition, sleep, movement and stress management first.”
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
