Objective: Panax ginseng, particularly Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), enhances energy, influences stress responses, and provides therapeutic benefits through ginsenosides and polysaccharides. This systematic review assessed whether P. ginseng supplementation reduces perceived psychological stress in humans, based on its suggested neuromodulatory properties.
Materials and Methods: Following Cochrane methodology, databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched up to June 2025. Included studies measured human psychological stress. Risk of bias was assessed. Significant heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis, leading to the completion of only systematic review.
Results: Eight studies revealed varied impacts on psychological stress, with significant enhancements linked to larger doses or bioavailable formulations, not 200 mg KRG. Cognitive advantages were consistently noted, although not for depression. Physiologically, particular ginseng extracts reduced cortisol in 2 out of 3 studies, whereas effects on catecholamines and other biomarkers varied. A study indicated genomic mechanisms through the downregulation of beta-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene expression.
Conclusion: Most studies indicate P. ginseng supplementation may reduce psychological stress and positively influence key stress pathways (epinephrine, autonomic nervous system, serotonin, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA axis), but inconsistencies in outcomes and biomarkers, coupled with insufficient gene expression data limit current evidence. More rigorous, standardized research is needed to confirm effects and elucidate mechanisms, warranting caution in interpretation.