By Nikhail Thakker, Dr. Christine Wong, PhD
Diving into Dry January or looking to cut back on booze? Continue reading to find a better buzz without the hangover.
For some of us, there are few feelings better than being a few drinks into the night whilst out with friends. The buzz you get seems hard to top by any other means, especially when coupled with equally electric company and music. All seems well in the moment, until the reality of the dreaded morning after hits.
Although there has been a rise in non-alcoholic drinks, as closely as they may match their alcoholic counterparts for taste, they simply don’t put you on the same wave. Finding a similar buzz without having to give your liver a weekly kicking might sound extremely far fetched. Better yet, what if we could channel these good vibes into streamlined Productivity and focus, and make it a sustainable part of our lifestyles?
As it turns out, such a fabled formula for a productivity buzz does in fact exist, with its natural bioactive elements also supporting brain health. That’s a huge win-win! And no, we’re not talking about anything caffeinated here. Functional drinks have been making their own waves in the beverage industry, and here’s exactly why.
Driving focus
Functional drinks also feature Nootropic compounds such as Yerba Mate, ginseng, and cacao, complementing the calming effects of adaptogens by providing that spark in cognitive function. Cacao provides the great benefits of alertness and heightening mood just as caffeine does in the short-term, but without the jitters and heart palpitations (1). Similarly, Ginseng boosts focus for short periods of time, as well as aiding in memory and recall (2)– which have seen them also emerge as viable complimentary treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Promoting chill and inhibiting stress
Amongst the many Nootropic and Adaptogen botanicals, Reishi is commonplace in many focus boosting formulas, and for good reason (3). A plant so potent yet so gentle, this mushroom native to East Asia is an all-round wellness powerhouse, with research highlighting its capacity to reduce fatigue (5) and improve calmness (4) – showing how the natural stress relief that is promoted amongst other sensations from feeling tipsy can be stimulated to a similar effect.
Likewise, the extract of the flower Rhodiola reduces brain fog (6), in turn promoting mental clarity and priming your mind to enter the zone.
The better-for-you, balanced buzz
Combining this selection of brain-boosting botanicals into a single can of goodness is exactly what Flojo does, providing you with a buzz you can feel good about. With less than 25 calories and 3 fruit flavors to choose from, you’ll be able to find your flow state and ride a wave of productivity through your day.
PHOTOGRAPH BY FLOJO DRINKS
Works Cited
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Cova, I.; Leta, V.; Mariani, C.; L. Pantoni; S. Pomati. Exploring Cocoa Properties: Is Theobromine a Cognitive Modulator? Psychopharmacology/Psychopharmacologia 2019, 236 (2), 561–572. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-5172-0.
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Lee, R.; Kim, J.-H.; Kim, W.-W.; Hwang, S.-H.; Choi, S.-H.; Kim, J.-H.; Cho, I.-H.; Kim, M.; Nah, S.-Y. Emerging Evidence That Ginseng Components Improve Cognition in Subjective Memory Impairment, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Early Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia. Journal of Ginseng Research/Journal of ginseng research 2024, 48 (3), 245–252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgr.2024.02.002.
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Gallacher, C. (2024, September 27). Discover the Power of Mushroom-Infused Drinks. BRĒZ. https://www.drinkbrez.com/blogs/brez/discover-the-power-of-mushroom-infuse d-drinks
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Qiu, Y.; Mao, Z.-J.; Ruan, Y.-P.; Zhang, X. Exploration of the Anti-Insomnia Mechanism of Ganoderma by Central-Peripheral Multi-Level Interaction Network Analysis. BMC Microbiology 2021, 21 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-021-02361-5.
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Tang, W.; Gao Y.; Chen G.; He G. A Randomized, Double-Blind and Placebo-Controlled Study of a Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Extract in Neurasthenia. J. Med. Food 2005, 8 (1), 53–56. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2005.8.53.
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Panossian, A.; Wikman, G.; Sarris, J. Rosenroot (Rhodiola Rosea): Traditional Use, Chemical Composition, Pharmacology and Clinical Efficacy. Phytomedicine 2010, 17 (7), 481–493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2010.02.002.
