I have been trying NA beverages for a half-decade now, and there haven’t been great ones for me. I mostly don’t like the beverages that are supposed to be something, like gin, or vodka. I also had a strange reaction to Seedlip. Sleeplessness. But then I tried Kin Euphorics. I did not like their daytime concoction, but their evening blend, Dreamlight, really hits the spot for me. I feel noticeably calmer after a drink, sometimes a little too sleepy. Possibly due to the microdose of melatonin the beverage contains. But, it also contains some Adaptogens and Nootropics. Specifically, Reishi Mushroom and L-tryptophan. Here is a little more information on Adaptogens and Nootropics.
[Via Forbes.com] Adaptogens are plant substances (often herbs) that have been found to help our bodies manage stress and maintain balance, or homeostasis. In other words, they help us adapt to external stressors. By strengthening our internal systems, adaptogens can promote vitality, stabilize mood and improve performance and focus. They can be consumed as supplement capsules, teas or tinctures.
Adaptogens are meant to help our bodies build resilience to stress and mitigate its further affects on the body. They are not a cure, and they may not work in extreme or immediate cases of anxiety or depression. Further, adaptogens work best in addition to a foundation of a balanced diet and adequate hydration.
How Do Adaptogens Work?
Researchers say adaptogenic herbs interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is a complex system of glands, hormones and receptors in the human body. The HPA axis is central to the body’s homeostasis, stress responses and energy metabolism.
When we consume adaptogens, their organic properties and compounds work with the HPA axis to help balance our systems. If there’s too much of one hormone, for instance, the adaptogens help to lower it. On the flip side, if there isn’t enough of a hormone, adaptogens can help replenish its levels.
Studies also suggest adaptogens interact with the immune-neuro-endocrine system, which helps the body regulate its use of energy and maintain strong immune defenses.
It’s important to remember, though, that research on adaptogenic herbs is ongoing.
I have long been a fan of nootropics. But, the term is vague and includes lots of cerebral enhancing medicines. My favorites are Caffeine, L-theanine and B-Vitamins. I really find a surprisingly strong cerebral boost when I chew Neuro Gum. Kin Euphorics provide a dose of nootropics in their products as well. Here is some information on L-theanine and L-tryptophan.
L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid that helps the body make proteins and certain brain-signaling chemicals. Your body changes L-tryptophan into a brain chemical called serotonin. Serotonin helps control your mood and sleep
L-theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in tea, but it can also be taken as a supplement (7Trusted Source).
Several studies have shown that taking 200 mg of L-theanine has a calming effect, without causing drowsiness (8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).
Taking even just 50 mg — the amount found in roughly two cups of brewed tea — has been found to increase alpha-waves in the brain, which are linked to creativity (9Trusted Source).
L-theanine is even more effective when taken with caffeine. For this reason, they’re often used together in performance-enhancing supplements. What’s more, they are both naturally found in tea.
The origin story on Kin Euphorics is interesting. Here is an expert from an article in Vogue. In short order, Jen and Matt—let’s just call him Matt, yeah?—set up a makeshift lab at Matt’s house in Seattle and started experimenting. Matt lived off the first formulation of Kin for thirty days—and had his vitals read every three days. Instead of water, he drank Kin. One week he’d eat whatever he normally ate; the next week, just soup; the next week, no carbs. One week he’d smoke weed, the next not; one week he’d drink alcohol, the next not. The goal was to learn what Kin did to his energy levels, his sleep, his eating habits, his vitals. In short: Every day in every way, all of the above just kept getting better and better. His blood pressure dropped healthily, as did his cholesterol; he’d never slept better.
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