Caffeine Is a Liar: The Smarter Way to Stay Energized

Living in Bali, you’re surrounded by coffee culture. Every street is lined with cafés, each one promising the strongest, smoothest, most Instagrammable cup of coffee you’ve ever had. And we bought into it HARD.

Our daily routine? Wake up, head straight to the café, and order that first hit of caffeine before even thinking about functioning. It was automatic. A ritual. One we never questioned. Sound familiar?

Until we started realizing something weird...

Despite drinking coffee every single day, we still felt exhausted. The more we drank, the more we needed it. Morning coffee turned into afternoon coffee, then an emergency pick-me-up before heading out in the evening. And yet, the energy never lasted. The crashes got worse. The brain fog crept in. And when we didn’t drink it? Instant sluggishness, irritability, and a headache that could probably take down a small elephant.

That’s when we started asking the question no one else seemed to be asking:

If caffeine actually “gives” you energy… why do we need more of it every day just to function?

The truth? Caffeine is a liar. It doesn’t create energy—it just tricks your brain into thinking you’re not tired. And the more you rely on it, the worse your natural energy systems become.

It was time for a fix—one that actually worked.

How Caffeine Tricks You

Caffeine doesn’t actually give you energy. What it really does is block adenosine, the chemical in your brain that makes you feel tired. It’s basically putting duct tape over your body’s "low battery" warning instead of charging the battery.

Meanwhile, your adrenal glands are getting the signal to pump out adrenaline. That’s why your heart races, your focus sharpens (for a while), and you feel "awake." But here’s the catch—your body was still tired the whole time. You just temporarily silenced the alarm.

Then, as caffeine wears off? Boom. The exhaustion hits twice as hard. Your brain, which was trying to regulate itself, now floods you with all the adenosine it’s been holding back. This is why that 3 PM crash feels like you got hit by a truck.

And if you keep doing this every day? Your natural energy systems stop working properly.

🚩 Symptoms of Caffeine Dependence:

• Energy levels swinging like a wrecking ball.
• Needing more coffee just to feel “normal.”
• Feeling wiped out when you don’t have caffeine.
• Brain fog creeping in despite all the stimulants.

Sound familiar? Let’s talk about real energy.

The Smarter Way to Stay Energized

Instead of hacking your body into temporary energy, what if you actually supported it so it worked better?

Enter adaptogens, nootropics, and functional mushrooms—nature’s answer to long-lasting, crash-free energy.

1. Cordyceps = Real ATP Energy (Not Fake Stimulant Highs)

Unlike caffeine, Cordyceps mushrooms increase ATP production—aka your body’s actual energy currency. More ATP = more oxygen to your cells = more endurance, focus, and stamina without wrecking your system.

Why It’s Better Than Caffeine:

• Boosts cellular energy production instead of just blocking tiredness.
• No adrenal burnout or jitters.
• Long-lasting, real energy—not a fake high.

2. Lion’s Mane = Mental Clarity Without the Crash

Lion’s Mane is a nootropic powerhouse—meaning it doesn’t just keep you awake, it keeps you sharp. It supports nerve growth factor (NGF), which literally helps your brain form new neural connections.

Why It’s Better Than Caffeine:

• Boosts long-term cognitive function, not just short bursts of focus.
• Helps reduce brain fog instead of covering it up.
• No crash, no withdrawal—just better brainpower.

3. Reishi = Stress Regulation (Because Burnout Isn’t Energy)

Being wired isn’t the same as having energy. If your body is constantly stressed, it’s burning through resources like crazy. Reishi helps regulate cortisol, keeping your nervous system balanced and resilient—so you actually have energy instead of just forcing yourself to push through exhaustion.

Why It’s Better Than Caffeine:

• Keeps energy levels steady instead of sending them on a rollercoaster.
• Supports recovery and endurance, so you’re not drained all the time.
• Helps lower stress-related fatigue—because burnout isn’t a flex.

Ditch the Caffeine Dependence, Upgrade Your Energy

This isn’t about never drinking coffee again—it’s about not needing it just to function.

Caffeine isn’t the enemy, but relying on it like a crutch is. If you want smoother energy, better focus, and no crashes, it’s time to switch things up.

That’s why we made Side effects* — powered by Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and the right nootropics to fuel your brain and body without the dependency cycle.

🚀 More oxygen. More focus. Real energy. No crashes.

Because feeling good shouldn’t come with side effects.

References

Cappelletti, S., Daria, P., Sani, G. and Aromatario, M. (2015). Caffeine: Cognitive and Physical Performance Enhancer or Psychoactive Drug? Current Neuropharmacology, [online] 13(1), pp.71–88. doi:https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159x13666141210215655.

Van, G. (2018). 6 Benefits of Cordyceps, All Backed by Science. [online] Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cordyceps-benefits.

Julson, E. (2018). 9 Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Plus Side Effects). [online] Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lions-mane-mushroom.

Prendergast, L. (2023). What is Reishi Mushrooms: Benefits, Risks, How to use [2023 Nutritionist Reviewed]. [online] Feel. Available at: https://wearefeel.com/en-int/blogs/learn/what-is-reishi-mushroom-benefits-risks-how-to-use-nutritionist-reviewed