Energy: 5 Top Brands Reviewed
If you have a serious caffeine habit, then you might have noticed unpleasant side effects such as insomnia and energy crashes. Fortunately, the market offers a range of natural stimulants promising all-day energy without significant side effects. We’ll count down five top caffeine-free brands so that you can make an informed purchase decision.
Some days you feel like you’re on top of your game with plenty of energy to finish your “to-do” list, exercise, and complete your work. Other days aren’t so good, so you turn to your favorite energy supplement for a lift. This could be a cup of tea, coffee, or a popular energy drink. If it’s a caffeine-based supplement, then you might have noticed that its effects seem to be wearing off quicker than they used to, causing you to need it more often and in greater amounts. Depending on how your body reacts to caffeine, this may or may not be problematic.
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Getting to know caffeine and how it works.
Caffeine is a naturally occurring CNS (central nervous system) stimulant found in various plants, including coffee beans, tea leaves, and cocoa beans. It is a drug belonging to a class of stimulants known as methylxanthines.
Caffeine is a psychoactive substance that works in your brain to make you feel more “awake” by artificially blocking the action of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep and suppresses arousal. Essentially, caffeine helps you to remain unaware of the fatigue your body is experiencing. It also increases the levels of other neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine, which are involved in mood, attention, and learning – that’s how it makes you feel so good.
The effects of caffeine can vary depending on your tolerance, metabolism, and the amount and frequency of consumption. In general, low to moderate doses of caffeine (around 50-200 mg) can help to improve cognitive function, increase focus and concentration, and reduce fatigue. However, high amounts of caffeine (> 500 mg) can lead to side effects such as anxiety, jitteriness, insomnia, and rapid heart rate.
Caffeine withdrawal is a recognized medical diagnosis and can affect anyone who regularly consumes caffeine. Withdrawal symptoms can include headache, anxiety, irritability, and low energy levels.
The best caffeine-free natural stimulants should take care of your brain
Even though caffeine is a natural stimulant, it doesn’t work in the same way as other substances in its class. For example, the nootropics we have selected for this countdown have a different mechanism of action than caffeine. These products offer more than stimulation and use a holistic approach to increase energy levels, improve mood, and increase focus while providing benefits toward long-term brain health.
We selected the top 5 brands that offer the best natural stimulants for all-day energy. The products selected for this countdown had to meet the following criteria:
- Caffeine-free.
- Have a quality guarantee and refund policy.
- A website with some degree of explanation regarding product formulation, ingredients, and sourcing.
- Contain no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners.
The best natural stimulants countdown:
5th place goes to Onnit’s Alpha BRAIN
Onnit is based in Austin, TX. Their mission is “to empower as many individuals as possible with a holistic philosophy regarding physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.”
They offer brain, workout, and general health supplements. Concerning natural stimulation, their supplement Alpha BRAIN is a powerful caffeine-free option. It offers many potential benefits, and can help:
- Improve mental processing
- Encourage a flow state
- Promote focus
- Support memory
Alpha BRAIN is created with their branded ingredients and is designed to help your brain produce more alpha waves and additional neurotransmitters.
The best natural stimulants countdown:
4th place goes to NooCube’s Brain Productivity
This product is an all-in-one, daily nootropic formula. Their clever tagline explains that this product is ideal “for people with deadlines.”
NooCube’s Brain Productivity is designed to:
- Improve mental alertness
- Increase focus and attention
- Help lower stress levels
Furthermore, it contains 13 science-backed ingredients for overall cognitive support, including award-winning Lutemax®. It is also soy-free and grain-free.
The best natural stimulants countdown:
3rd place goes to Thesis’ Energy Formula
Thesis takes a unique approach to supplementation. Consumers are encouraged to complete an online quiz on their website to discover their own personal nootropic blend. Thesis believes that neurotransmitter imbalance is a problem their product can address. Concerning natural stimulation, their Energy Formula is designed to “increase energy, overcome fatigue, and build mental stamina.”
They have both caffeine and caffeine-free products. Furthermore, all their products are created using high-quality vegan ingredients and have high bioavailability.
The best natural stimulants countdown:
2nd place goes to Qualia Mind Caffeine Free from Neurohacker Collective
Neurohacker Collective’s goal is “to provide people with the products, resources, and tools they need to help their whole being – mind, brain, and body – work together in harmony.”
This inspired them to create Qualia Mind Caffeine Free, a universal nootropic for mental performance that includes nootropic compounds, vitamins, amino acids, choline donors, and herbal adaptogens.
We appreciated their user-friendly website, which includes links to various formal studies concerning the ingredients they incorporate. Additionally, their products are certified gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan. If you are not satisfied with their product, they offer a 100-day guarantee.
The best natural stimulants countdown:
1st place is myPEAK Brilliance by myPEAK Supplements
myPEAK Supplements’ caffeine-free nootropic drew our attention because it is explicitly meant to be used as a caffeine replacement. myPEAK reports that myPEAK Brilliance is“the best nootropic caffeine alternative/replacement to support 8 hours of sustained energy, peak cognitive performance, memory, focus, productivity, and long-term brain health.”
Additionally, myPEAK Brilliance includes an ingredient called Teacrine®, a clinically-tested form of form of theacrine that offers the benefits of caffeine without the negative side effects. Furthermore, it is physician-formulated and lab-tested to ensure safety and effectiveness.
myPEAK Supplements also has a well-designed website with information about their formulations and an educational blog.
Their products contain patented and branded ingredients, are produced in the United States in a state-of-the-art FDA-registered facility, and are 100% vegan.
Natural stimulants for energy and their benefits
If you’ve experienced unpleasant side effects from caffeine use, are concerned about becoming addicted to it, or are tired of the “high” that comes with a “crash and burn,” you may want to consider a caffeine-free natural alternative.
Ongoing studies about nootropics and their benefits for brain health and function are promising. When used daily, nootropics can help provide you with the physical and mental energy needed to be at the top of your game every day.
For further reference:
Mayo Clinic – “Caffeine: How much is too much?”
National Center for Biotechnology Information – “Nootropics as Cognitive Enhancers: Types, Dosage and Side Effects of Smart Drugs”
National Center for Biotechnology Information – “Establishing Natural Nootropics: Recent Molecular Enhancement Influenced by Natural Nootropic”
VeryWell Mind – “What Are Nootropics?“
Insider – “‘Smart drugs’ are real — here’s what’s scientifically proven and how to tell if nootropics are right for you“
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
