Coffee-like energy without the coffee? page

[tarek]

When I first started drinking coffee, all I would need was a 12 ounce cup and I would be off the walls for 12+ hours. Obviously, this feeling declined as my body acclimated to that amount of coffee. Right now, I drink an 18 ounce cup a day and I don't really want to add more coffee/tea/mate/cacao to that.

So, with that said, aside from getting to bed on time, getting adequate sunlight, etc., are there any energy hacks you guys have found work for you?

Fasting seems to work well for me on occasion. I've also experimented with maca, which definitely works, but ONLY if it's gelatinized. Raw maca has little to no effect aside from making me feel weird. Quick, intense workouts also do the trick, but only for an hour or two after.

I'd definitely be into trying out less commonly used supplements and herbs. I've read about nettle rhizome, pine pollen, and a few other things, and I'll be giving them each a try sometime.

Any suggestions?

[Daydreamer]

No coffee at all and a proper functioning circadian rhythm and optimal functioning adrenals

[naiadknight]

Try guarana. It's like a caffeine boost without the jitteriness or the sudden drop when it's over. The energy curve is more sinusoidal than stepped.

[2ndChance]

Try Rhodiola rosea. It's an herb that acts as a slight stimulant, helps the body adapt to stress, helps me cope with my anxiety.

You could also try a coffee detox and then reintroduce it. If I reach a point where, say, 2 cups of coffee leaves me feeling no different, I'll cut back for a couple days and my body returns to normal.

[tarek]

No coffee at all and a proper functioning circadian rhythm and optimal functioning adrenals

Eventually, that would be great! Haha. I believe this is why maca seems to work for me -- I've read about it being used to help balance hormone levels.

Try guarana. It's like a caffeine boost without the jitteriness or the sudden drop when it's over. The energy curve is more sinusoidal than stepped.

I'll definitely give guarana a shot -- any particular products you recommend?

[tarek]

Try Rhodiola rosea. It's an herb that acts as a slight stimulant, helps the body adapt to stress, helps me cope with my anxiety.

You could also try a coffee detox and then reintroduce it. If I reach a point where, say, 2 cups of coffee leaves me feeling no different, I'll cut back for a couple days and my body returns to normal.

I actually went two months without coffee recently, and it was GREAT when I first started drinking it again. The problem is that I don't really like having to cycle my intake of it, and I don't like becoming acclimated to a certain amount. At some point, I would like to cut coffee out completely and then maybe reintroduce it as a once-a-month "treat" or something. I'll look into Rhodiola, though, thanks for the suggestion!

[naiadknight]

Not really. Good N Natural's seems effective, but I use it so rarely, that one bottle has lasted me a while. You probably should start at 200 mg and adjust from there.

[namelesswonder]

How does one get gelatinized maca? I've only just started reading about it.

There are different amino acids that might help/work for you. Is it just fatigue you're struggling with, or mental focus as well? L-Tyrosine works well for some. DLPA is another. They are both recommended for anxiety, as well. DLPA works TOO well for me, I can't sleep when I take it, so I have to look for DPA instead (something about the missing component makes it less amped up for some peole).

[Dr. Bork Bork]

Might be a little extreme, but I found that chugging 30 oz of water first thing in the morning had a similar rush to caffeine. Weird, but true.

[tarek]

Might be a little extreme, but I found that chugging 30 oz of water first thing in the morning had a similar rush to caffeine. Weird, but true.

I actually drink two glasses of water upon waking every day -- I'll try three tomorrow!

How does one get gelatinized maca? I've only just started reading about it.

There are different amino acids that might help/work for you. Is it just fatigue you're struggling with, or mental focus as well? L-Tyrosine works well for some. DLPA is another. They are both recommended for anxiety, as well. DLPA works TOO well for me, I can't sleep when I take it, so I have to look for DPA instead (something about the missing component makes it less amped up for some peole).

You can actually take gelatinized maca in tablet form, and you can even order the powdered form in bags online. I've never taken it this way, however -- I usually have a big piece of MacaSure chocolate (I believe Vega actually bought this company, and it's now just called 'Maca Chocolate'). It's 70% dark chocolate made with 4,000mg of gelatinized maca. There's definitely a noticeable increase in energy from taking this. I would have assumed it to be the cacao, but cacao never has that effect for me.

I've never looked in to either of these amino acids, but I'll do some reading on each -- thanks!