Mild stimulants and alternatives to coffee

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disappoint

Lifer
Dec 7, 2009
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Maybe your lack of energy is due to low blood glucose. Get a glucose meter at the pharmacy and test yourself. They are inexpensive. Better yet go see a doctor and find out why you need caffeine to stay awake maybe there is something else wrong that needs to be addressed. Could just be run of the mill caffeine addiction as some other's have alluded to. Wouldn't want to be you when those withdrawal symptoms kick in.
 

Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
23,720
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Mio or Dasani flavor additives? The caffeine free versions of them. Ok haven't done my homework on them but seems there must be something in them as a pick-me-up. Now I'll go google the ingredients.

Without Googling, it's probably B-vitamins.

I like to get my B vitamins from fruit and veggies, which I eat a lot of anyway.
It seems every other product on the supermarket shelf these days has added B vitamins.

EDIT: Looked it up for Dasani. It has guarana. Essentially caffeine.
 
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desura

Diamond Member
Mar 22, 2013
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Update:

I went to Krogers.

...and, all they have is Hersheys and some Ghiradelli

got dark chocolate hersheys and white chocolate ghiradelli.

Kinda sorta works. Is a decent pick me up when I get slightly groggy.

Uh, so Lindt's is a good brand? Anything good (and affordable) off of amazon?
 

Miramonti

Lifer
Aug 26, 2000
28,653
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The real key to mental clarity (lucidity?) is not a pill.

Cut out the cr@p foods - preservatives, processed food, unhealthy oils/fats, and so on.

Then add the good sh!t. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Start juicing or drinking fresh produce smoothies daily.

And take an allergy test to see what foods negatively affect you the most. Not the scratch test, the thorough blood test panel. Eat those foods only in moderation.

As a result of these things (lifestyle changes for most people), you'll most likely experience lasting mental clarity and physical energy better than you ever have in your life.

(then throw in some caffeine and let it act like rocket fuel. ;) )
 

Cappuccino

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2013
4,018
726
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Chinese Tea. Restore your energy faster than Coffee.

Any Chinese tea will do. Sweet, bitter and spicy. ;)
 

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
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0
Update:

I went to Krogers.

...and, all they have is Hersheys and some Ghiradelli

got dark chocolate hersheys and white chocolate ghiradelli.

Kinda sorta works. Is a decent pick me up when I get slightly groggy.

Uh, so Lindt's is a good brand? Anything good (and affordable) off of amazon?

The real chocolate at Krogers is in the Health Food isle, where they keep the protein bars, natural cereals, almond milk (non-refrigerated kind) and Vitamin Water, among other things. I picked up a Green & Black's Organic 85% Cocoa bar today for less than $3.

Oh, and I take N.O.-Xplode almost daily. When I don't, I am in the dumps the whole day. Fruit Punch or Watermelon flavor, one scoop. I will take a week or so off after about 6-8 weeks of usage.
 
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Nov 7, 2000
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Most things mentioned in this thread are going to be much milder than coffee.

Your body is just accustomed to it. As others have suggested, wean yourself off and the effects will come back.

Nicotine is another common stimulant.

Most of the energy drinks are packed with B vitamins. They don't seem to have much effect IMO.

There are other OTC chemicals I have no experience with, anything marketed for weight loss will just be some stimulant.

You could look into Guarana, yerba mate, and tea, but its all just caffeine still in different concentrations. Tea is very weak in comparison to coffee. As is chocolate.

IMO the stimulant arms race is terrible and really unhealthy. I have been nearly caffeine free for almost a year now and it feels GREAT! Much more stable energy levels & reduced anxiety.

Oh almost forgot the illegal drugs, meth or cocaine would probably do the trick for you.
 
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bradley

Diamond Member
Jan 9, 2000
3,671
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That's probably due to the high choline and lecithin content, as precursors to acetylcholine. In fact, I might also recommend a few tbl of lecithin daily or Alpha GPC.

What the OP is probably looking for though are dopaminergics, such as: B vitamins, theanine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, yohimbe bark etc.

Anything considered a nootropic that increases NGF would be a long-term stimulant too: idebenone, inositol, glutathione, pregnenolone, acetyl l-carnitine arginate, fish oil (in particular DHA) etc. For instance, I personally get a way bigger kick from royal jelly (increases BDNF) in the morning than coffee.
 

Broheim

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2011
4,587
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stop using stumilants and exercise both mentally and physically. Everything else is just a shortcut that you'll eventually develop a tolerance of.
 

raildogg

Lifer
Aug 24, 2004
12,892
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I get some tea by a company called Stash. I use the Chai Green Tea and it is great. Lovely aroma and is very nice. It is refreshing. I'm not sure of the caffeine content but it is like Indian tea but mixed with green tea - I guess :). I got it at Wal-Mart, in their tea aisle. I don't want to drink coffee outside of work so this is good. I don't think it has too much caffeine in it, though I might be mistaken.

I would also suggest drinking more water, eating better, and sleeping more. I want to do all these as well.

I feel that a good night's sleep is the key to energy during the day. Then one doesn't need much caffeine or anything artificial. You can then enjoy a nice cup of tea without needing it. Or anything else for that matter. Stimulants should be enjoyed occasionally but should not be depended upon.
 
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