Are you looking for natural caffeine alternatives but can’t sacrifice the energy boost? Caffeinated beverages come in different forms, such as brewed coffee, carbonated soft drinks, green tea, black tea, and energy drinks.
A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information reveals that 85% of the U.S. population consumes a minimum of one caffeinated beverage daily. Daily caffeine intake up to 400 milligrams is still safe for the majority of healthy adults. However, you may need to curb your caffeine consumption as soon as you experience side effects like headache, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, increased heart rate, muscle tremors, or frequent urination.
Nootropics as Healthy Caffeine Substitutes
It can be hard to put down that cup of joe but there’s a good variety of caffeine substitutes that are also brain-boosting and energy-enhancing. Nootropics, for one, are energy-boosting alternatives. They are sometimes called smart supplements because they enhance human cognitive processes. Nootropics are categorized into two: natural and synthetic. Below are the remarkable benefits of using natural nootropics as healthy alternatives to coffee and other caffeinated drinks.
- Safe and effective since they are either natural or derived from natural sources
- Enhance memory and cognitive function
- Enhance mental functions like thinking and memory retention
- Improve focus and concentration
- Improve short and long-term memory
- Improve reflex and reaction time
- Improve neurotransmitter levels in the brain
- Increase alpha brain waves to stimulate an alert yet relaxed state of mind
- Promote calmness and mental clarity
Here are some of the natural nootropics that enhance mental function. They can be used as caffeine alternatives to give you the boost you need to get through your work day.
- 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)
- Alpha-GPC
- Ashwagandha
- Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
- DMAE Bitartrate
- GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)
- Ginkgo Biloba
- Huperzine A
- L-Theanine
- Lemon Balm
- Magnesium
- Melatonin
- Panax Ginseng
- Passionflower
- Rhodiola Rosea
- Valerian
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Aside from the benefits mentioned, natural nootropics do not contain stimulants or additives found in caffeinated drinks that can cause adverse effects like sleep problems, jitters, caffeine withdrawal, and restlessness. Some nootropic supplements have ingredients with caffeine-like effects like alertness, focus, and resistance to fatigue. However, they do not have the undesirable side effects of caffeinated beverages such as coffee.
These natural nootropic supplements, such as OPTML NootropX, are designed to work synergistically with caffeine to unleash the brain’s full potential while taking the edge off of caffeine. Nootropics are effective energy alternatives to caffeine but they can have different effects at different dosages on various people. Always make sure to find out the pros and cons of each nootropic.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5021479/
https://nootropicsdepot.com/articles/the-nootropic-synergy-of-ltheanine-and-caffeine/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/caffeine-withdrawal-symptoms