20 Natural Stimulants For Energy That You Should Know About
​​Feeling a little sluggish? If your go-to fix for low energy is a cup of coffee or energy drinks, it's time to switch things up. Believe it or not, there are plenty of natural ways to boost your energy levels that don't involve caffeine. Say goodbye to those dreaded caffeine withdrawal symptoms for good!
Keep reading to get all the details on the best natural stimulants to give you a healthy energy kick. No more relying on sugary, processed energy drinks that can be harmful to your health. Trust us, you won't miss them!
If you're curious about how functional mushrooms can support your overall health and well-being, head on over to Mushroom Revival's Mushroom 101 guides. You won't be disappointed!
What Exactly Is A Natural Stimulant, And Why Might You Need One?
Coffee is the most popular stimulant there is. When the industrial revolution arrived, coffee helped workers survive the brutal working hours and conditions in the factories. Coffee has played an essential role in influencing the world we see around us today, but the overuse of coffee can cause some negative effects such as anxiousness, sleep disturbance, dependency, increased blood pressure, and heart palpitations.Â
The term stimulant is given to any substance that provides one or more of the following effects:
- Providing more energy for the body and central nervous system.
- Providing a pleasurable and invigorating feeling.
- Providing sympathomimetic properties (increasing blood pressure and heart rate).
There are many natural stimulants you can use to enhance your daily physical and mental energy levels. There are also prescription stimulants that your doctor might prescribe to provide you with increased energy and focus.
In this guide, we will cover all of the best natural stimulants you can use to take control of your health, boost your energy, and avoid the negative effects of too much caffeine consumption.
20 Best Natural Stimulants For Energy Besides Coffee And Caffeine
Join us on a journey to discover the amazing gifts nature has in store for supporting your energy - natural stimulants! Take a moment to determine which natural stimulant resonates with you and how incorporating them into your diet could potentially benefit you.
1. Cordyceps
Cordyceps mushrooms are renowned for their remarkable health benefits when it comes to supporting cellular energy and endurance. Cordyceps can help support healthy levels of oxygen in the bloodstream, which many athletes have found to be beneficial in athletic performance.Â
The adaptogenic properties of this mushroom can assist the body in adapting to occasional stress and maintaining balance. They can promote a natural energy support without the jitters or crashes associated with stimulants like caffeine.
Think of Cordyceps as your body’s jet fuel, helping to maintain optimum energy levels during the day so that you can perform your best.Â
2. American Ginseng
If you want to feel brighter and fresher throughout the day, American ginseng extract is the way to go. As a herbal stimulant, American ginseng extract can help to support your body's natural immune function, providing your immune cells with more energy. This means that your body will have help in fighting off viruses and other germs that enter your body throughout the day.
3. Cacao Beans/Dark Chocolate
Cacao beans and dark chocolate are your best friends if you're looking for a slight energy boost without the shakes. They provide nutritional value and calories and can stimulate the release of oxytocin to improve your mood. The energy boost you feel with cacao or dark chocolate will be minor, but can improve your focus throughout the day, plus who can argue with eating chocolate for your health!
4. Cayenne Pepper (Capsaicin)
Cayenne pepper can help to support the body's blood flow function. Since your blood flow is important for providing your muscles and organs with the energy they need, you will experience improved energy when incorporating a cayenne pepper supplement into your diet.
5. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can help to stimulate your body's breakdown of fat and energy production. This means that you will experience more rapid bursts of energy throughout the day, helping you to tick off your to-do list with better efficiency.
6. Reishi Mushrooms
While not traditionally known as an energizing mushroom, reishi offers unique benefits that indirectly impact energy. By helping to balance the body’s natural reaction to occasional stress, promote relaxation, and support quality sleep, reishi mushrooms can help optimize energy levels by addressing factors that can contribute to occasional fatigue.
7. L-Theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid found primarily in green and black tea and some mushrooms. It is a natural stimulant with strong antioxidant properties that people often supplement into their daily routine to experience enhanced energy, focus, and well-being.Â
8. B-Complex Vitamins
Say goodbye to those occasional bouts of brain fog with the help of B-complex vitamins. When you're low on these essential nutrients, it can result in pesky brain fog and increased fatigue. By incorporating B-complex vitamins into your daily routine, you can steer clear of the consequences of deficiency and keep your mental clarity in check.
9. Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Lion's Mane mushrooms are not only fascinating for their unique appearance but also for their potential to support energy levels. Known for their cognitive benefits, these mushrooms have been traditionally used to support mental clarity and focus.Â
By promoting nerve growth factors and supporting brain health, lion's mane mushrooms indirectly contribute to sustained energy. By incorporating lion's mane into your routine, you may experience balanced mental energy, increased productivity, and enhanced overall vitality. Say hello to a natural and energizing way to fuel your day!
10. Ashwagandha
Due to its numerous health benefits, Ashwagandha has recently become a popular supplement recommendation. Ashwagandha is derived from a plant known as the winter cherry and can help to support general health and well-being while providing energy, stamina, and performance benefits.
11. Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba has been used in holistic healing practices for centuries to support the body's natural blood regulation, memory, and brain function. It is a plant native to China that was influential in traditional Chinese herbalism.
12. Maca
Maca is a root commonly known for supporting male fertility. As a herbal stimulant, it is said to have tremendous benefits for your mood and energy levels. It is rich in nutrients and beneficial compounds, making it an excellent choice for your daily supplement routine.
13. Carnitine
Carnitine is essential in helping the body produce energy. It helps to support the breakdown of long-chain fatty acids, which aids in producing ATP for energy in the body. You'll typically find carnitine in red meat, but if you do not eat meat, you can easily find carnitine supplements online.
14. Yerba Mate
Yerba mate is filled with antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation in the body can lead to increased fatigue and brain fog. Yerba mate is a type of herbal tea or a herbal stimulant found in South America, often used as a substitute for coffee.
15. Black Ginger
Black ginger is a variant of the ginger we use to cook with. It has many beneficial properties, including being considered an aphrodisiac. Most importantly, however, it is extremely useful in helping the body to break down glucose, which provides more energy. More energy can boost cognitive function and make you feel more clear-headed throughout the day.
16. Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola is a great choice if you're looking to reduce lethargy and boost your mood. Gotu Kola can help to raise dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin levels in the body for a more balanced mood. Feeling happier can increase your energy levels and prepare you to face the day's challenges.
17. Artichoke
Artichokes are common in many Mediterranean cuisines, but their leaves are actually considered both a tonic and a stimulant. By taking artichoke extract or consuming the leaves, you can support your body in balancing both good and bad cholesterol, providing more energy.
18. Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola rosea is considered a herbal stimulant and has been used to improve brain function. It is one of the most highly-recommended supplements to help cope with occasional stress and anxiety. Rhodiola Rosea is a flower that typically grows in the arctic regions of Europe, South America, and Asia.
19. Guarana
Guarana is a common ingredient in energy drinks but can be harmful in large amounts. It has large leaves and clusters of flowers and is typically found growing in the South American region. It is widely considered a powerful natural stimulant that can support your central nervous system, cognitive ability, and support memory functions.
20. Theobromine
Theobromine is a chemical compound found in plants and is often found in cacao and chocolate. Like cacao, it offers a sustainable and light energy boost so that you don't need to suffer a crash later in the day.
Alternative Ways To Boost Energy Levels
We've discussed some of the best natural stimulants for your dietary supplement routine. Let's discuss other things you can do to increase your energy levels. Your lifestyle and habits play an important role in your energy levels, so reviewing your general health while taking herbal stimulants is important to ensure you get the best effects.
Have Good Sleep Hygiene And Get Enough Rest
If you want to improve your energy levels, you should consider your sleep health. Here are some best practices to keep in mind when improving your sleep health:
- Reducing your alcohol consumption.
- Limiting your caffeine intake, especially in the afternoon.
- Eliminating your use of devices around bedtime.
- Ensuring you go to sleep and wake up at consistent times.
By regulating your sleep cycle and choosing healthier sleep habits, you will experience other health benefits, too. Your mood will improve, and you can improve brain function throughout the day.
Take Naps
If you struggle to sleep at night, taking short naps is a great way to ensure your brain gets the rest it needs. Many of us struggle with energy dips in the middle of the day, and taking a cat nap is a great way to reinvigorate yourself and improve physical performance and mental clarity for the rest of the day.
Enjoy Sunlight
Vitamin D is vital for our energy levels, and enjoying an hour or two of sunlight each day can significantly enhance your mood. Try going for a short walk twice daily to ensure you get your daily dose of vitamin D.
Have A Healthy Diet
A natural stimulant only does part of the job, and relying on energy drinks, green tea, and coffee can cause your energy to spike and crash. The best way to improve your energy levels is to provide your body with the nourishment it needs via a healthy diet. You can still add a natural stimulant to your daily routine, but you will significantly feel the effects if you have a healthy and balanced diet.
Manage Stress Via Mindfulness And Journaling
Stress and burnout can lead to chronic fatigue, seriously inhibiting energy levels. In addition to adding a herbal natural stimulant to your diet, you can try a more mindful lifestyle.
Paying attention to your mood, meditating, and writing down your plans, goals, and thoughts can help you to manage your stress levels. When you start your mindfulness journey, try writing down the level of stress or fatigue you feel each day so you can track your progress and find what works for you.
Plan Your Weekly Schedule To Have A Routine
If you're looking to improve your sleep schedule, it can help to have a routine that incorporates the following elements:
- Daily sleep and wake times.
- Daily exercise habits.
- Daily supplement routines.
- Daily food diary.
- Daily water intake.
You should be purposeful in planning your daily routine to maximize your physical and mental health.Â
Stay Active And Do Moderate Daily Exercise
Achieving a healthy weight along with physical activity can help to improve your mental health cognitive performance, energy levels, and mental fatigue.
Moderate Alcohol Use
If you drink alcohol regularly, you might not be getting quality sleep. Alcohol impacts your sleep quality and can cause fatigue the following day. To improve your energy levels, moderate your alcohol consumption.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to finding the perfect balance for your energy levels and overall health, it's worth considering alternatives to caffeine. We all know the quick burst of energy that caffeine provides, but let's be honest, that crash, later on, can be a real downer. So why not explore the world of natural stimulants? They offer a different kind of energy, one that lasts longer and helps you enjoy life to the fullest. It's all about finding a sustainable way to boost your energy and enhance your well-being.Â
We have a fabulous blend of mushrooms called Daily 10 Mix that includes cordyceps, lion’s mane, and reishi that we’d love to introduce you to that will support your energy levels throughout the day.Â
We also have a Cordyceps Energy supplement that is all cordyceps, which is considered the king of energy mushrooms. All of our supplements are available in different formulations (tinctures, capsules, powders, gummies) to suit all lifestyles.
If you're curious about the various supplements and natural resources to improve your health, why not check out Mushroom Revival's blogs, podcasts, and supplement products? We’re happy to answer any questions you might have!
