Do you ever feel like your To-Do list is just…never-ending? You’re not alone. A whopping 89% of people struggle with their daily tasks, and only 12% of employees feel fully productive at work.
In this hectic world we live in, productivity is the name of the game. From meeting deadlines to juggling housework, we’ve all got tasks to tick off — and it’s not unusual to seek ways to boost our efficiency and output.
For many, this starts with a cup of coffee. But what if there was a way to take your daily dose of caffeine to the next level — all while boosting productivity and nurturing your well-being? Luckily, there is a way, and it’s called ‘adaptogenic coffee’
The famous ‘coffee break’
Coffee has always had an interesting link to productivity. When the Industrial Revolution took hold in the 18th and 19th centuries, employers recognised how important it was for workers to maintain morale and productivity — and coffee was seen as a way to solve the issue.
Thanks to its stimulating properties, employers started providing coffee to their workers during their breaks. The caffeine offered a temporary mental and physical pick-me-up, making it easier for factory workers to stay alert and focused during their long work hours.
Fast-forward to 2024, and coffee breaks are still a core part of our workday. They give us a brief respite from our to-do’s, allow for social interaction and offer a way for us to stay alert.
Sounds good. But why drink adaptogenic coffee instead?
Why drink adaptogenic coffee for productivity?
Before we get into it, let’s briefly explain what adaptogens are — just so we’re all on the same page.
Adaptogens are plants, herbs and mushrooms that help the body adapt to stress. Humans have used these powerful substances for thousands of years, and they’re thought to bring the body and mind back to a state of balance. It’s kind of like a thermostat. If the thermostat detects that the house is too hot or cold, it will bring the temperature up or down to match.
So, if you’re battling brain fog or suffering from sleepless nights, and it’s having a hit on your productivity, adaptogens can help. They target various systems in the body to help you adapt to stressors — reducing feelings of anxiety, regulating sleep patterns and boosting energy.
And caffeine, well…caffeine needs no introduction. It’s the fuel that powers countless workdays, found in millions of cups every day. Low to moderate doses (50-300mg) daily can boost our alertness and attention, giving us a well-needed mental lift for the day ahead.
What’s great about adaptogens and caffeine is that they synergise well. For example, in one study, participants were given different drinks: one had caffeine and adaptogens, another just had caffeine, and a third was a placebo. What they found was that the drink with adaptogens and caffeine showed more consistent improvements in people’s mood and thinking abilities.
This suggests that adaptogenic coffee can impact our neurocognitive function and mental state in positive ways — both of which directly influence productivity and problem-solving.
And how else can adaptogenic coffee, in particular, help boost our productivity?
Adaptogenic coffee can keep cortisol balanced
Have you ever finished a cup of coffee and felt tense, nervous or jittery? This is because caffeine causes a spike in the stress hormone cortisol and may lead to many undesirable side effects — such as heart palpitations, restlessness and general feelings of unease.
Why does this happen? Well, caffeine is known for increasing heart rate and blood pressure — and it’s this that can make us feel all jittery and tense. So, when you’re sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day or about to give a big team presentation, regular coffee might not be the best idea.
Since adaptogens are known for helping us adapt to stress, adaptogenic coffee can be a godsend for many people – helping us to stay balanced whilst enjoying the benefits of coffee in our day.
In addition, caffeine on it’s own is absorbed quickly, which can result in a spike and crash – then we want another coffee! We can rollercoaster through our day in the spike and crash cycle, and end up having 4-5 regular coffees in a day – which can result in our cortisol spiking, making us feel on edge and not our most productive selves. Adaptogens and caffeine together have been shown to mitigate against the caffeine-crash, and many customers of London Nootropics have reported reducing from 4-5 regular coffees to 1-2 adaptogenic coffees in their day.
This can be a game-changer for those in need of a productivity boost. In addition, some of us struggle with productivity due to poor-quality sleep. Good sleep improves productivity. For example, one study found that employees with insomnia or not enough sleep performed worse at work compared to those who didn’t, highlighting the cost of lost productivity due to tiredness was about $1,967 per employee each year.
Caffeine can have an impact on sleep quality, and when we reduce from having 4-5 coffees to 1-2 adaptogenic coffees, we reduce our overall caffeine intake – resulting in better quality sleep and higher productivity levels the following day. In addition, some adaptogens can improve sleep directly. One study found that ashwagandha — an adaptogenic root extract — was able to promote better sleep in individuals who suffer from insomnia and anxiety.
The study involving 60 participants was split into two groups: one got an Ashwagandha supplement, and another got a placebo for 10 weeks. The study revealed that the people who took ashwagandha fell asleep faster, had better sleep quality, and felt less anxious compared to those who took the placebo.
“London Nootropics’ coffee tastes so clean, and the additional nootropic ingredients really make a difference. I love the Ashwagandha and L-theanine one; it definitely gives me a nice calm focus and clarity of mind.” — Sam T.
Adaptogenic coffee helps sharpen focus and memory
It’s true that regular coffee can improve focus and concentration. Adding adaptogens to your brew can amplify this further with their cognitive-enhancing benefits.
Take Lion’s Mane mushroom, for example. Lion’s Mane is an ancient medicinal mushroom known to have neuroprotective properties. This powerful adaptogen can be beneficial to supporting memory, focus and concentration.
For example, one study looked at whether Lion’s Mane could improve the memories of Japanese men and women. The 30 participants were split into two groups: one received the Lion’s Mane, and the other got a placebo, which they took three times a day for 16 weeks.
The study found that the Lion’s Mane group had better memory scores compared to the placebo group. The longer they took Lion’s Mane, the better their memory got!
What’s more, Lion’s Mane may also support focus. This is because the adaptogen is thought to improve blood flow around the body, providing our brains with more oxygen and nutrients. When the brain gets more oxygen and nutrients, it can positively affect brain performance.
The antioxidants in Lion’s Mane mushroom — such as hericenones and erinacines — may help protect brain cells from oxidative stress and contribute to better learning, memory and overall focus!
“I’ve tried all of London Nootropics’ coffee blends. I’ve bought two boxes and I feel like they are definitely cleaning my brain fog and helping my memory!” — Alison K.
Where to buy adaptogenic coffee
At London Nootropics, we’re on a mission to help you add premium adaptogens to your daily diet.
All our adaptogenic coffee blends have around 80-110mg of caffeine in each sachet. This is like the caffeine in a regular cup of coffee with a dose of high-quality adaptogen extracts to help you elevate your day and find your most productive self.
Our adaptogenic coffee comes in convenient single-serve sachets — perfect for those quick boosts at work or whenever you’re on the go.
- Flow with Lion’s Mane and rhodiola to clear brain fog, enhance cognitive performance and boost productivity.
- Mojo with cordyceps and ginseng for whenever you need a physical boost or immune support.
- Zen with ashwagandha and l-theanine for emotional balance and calmness.
Need some reassurance? Read our customer reviews for our adaptogenic coffee blends!
References
1. Caffeine-Containing, Adaptogenic-Rich Drink Modulates the Effects of Caffeine on Mental Performance and Cognitive Parameters: A Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Trial
2. The cost of poor sleep: workplace productivity loss and associated costs
3. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Insomnia and Anxiety: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study
4. Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial
