Why You’re Always Tired (And It’s Not Just Lack of Sleep)

We used to think being tired all the time was just part of life. We believed it was just how we are meant to operate as human beings. Wake up exhausted, rely on caffeine, push through the brain fog, repeat. That was the routine. Sleep? We’d get some. Energy? Never.

At first, we blamed it on my schedule—long days, late nights, not enough downtime. After all majority of our life we worked in the nightlife scene, surrounded by partying and bad habits. But even when we started “doing things right” (sleeping more, eating better, cutting back on the stupid habits), we still felt like walking corpses.

So, we started digging. We watched videos on Gary Brecka and other famous nutritionists, and they made me realise that most people don't operate on energy levels half of what they should be at. Turns out, it’s not just about sleep. There’s a whole list of reasons why you’re drained 24/7—and if you don’t fix them, no amount of “getting to bed early” is going to save you.

1. You’re Running on Fake Energy (And It’s Screwing You Over)

Caffeine. Sugar. Energy drinks. We’ve all been there. They give you a quick hit of dopamine and adrenaline, tricking you into thinking you’re energized. Then? The crash hits. Hard.

Caffeine blocks adenosine, the chemical that makes you feel sleepy. But instead of actually giving you more energy, it just numbs the tiredness—until it wears off and you feel even worse.

So here is the fix... Instead of tricking your brain, fuel it. Functional mushrooms like Cordyceps work differently. They don’t just mask fatigue—they increase ATP production (aka your body’s actual energy currency). That means more oxygen to your cells, better stamina, and no crash.

2. Your Brain Is Fried, Not Just Your Body

Ever feel tired, but like… mentally? Like your brain is moving through sludge? That’s mental fatigue, and it’s just as real as physical exhaustion. Sometimes we felt very energised physically, could still hit the gym, but wasn't at all focused when it came to work, problem solving, or even having the mental energy to have a deep conversation with our partners at times. 

Your brain runs on glucose and oxygen, and when it’s overloaded (stress, decision-making, too much screen time), it burns through its fuel faster than your body can keep up. The result? Foggy thinking, zero motivation, and the overwhelming need to take a nap in the middle of the day.

Then entered mushrooms... We started to do some research on Lion's Mane, the hype around Bali was incredible on this new bio-hacking supplement. People were calling it the limitless pill of the food world. And this is what we found: You need nootropics—compounds that support brain function, repair neurons, and improve focus. Lion’s Mane is the MVP here of course, known for boosting NGF (nerve growth factor)—meaning your brain actually functions better over time. And its no joke. It took a bit of time and consistency, but the results, well... You'll have to see for yourself!

3. Stress Is Draining You (Even If You Don’t Notice It)

We’re all stressed, but most people don’t realize that stress is an energy killer. When your body is in constant fight-or-flight mode, it floods you with cortisol and adrenaline—which, in small bursts, is fine. But when it’s always on, your body burns through its reserves, leaving you feeling completely drained.

Ever notice how after a super stressful day, you just want to collapse, even if you didn’t physically do much? That’s your nervous system running on fumes. 

Adaptogens like Reishi help balance cortisol, keeping your nervous system chill without killing your energy levels. Think of it as stress armor—letting you handle life without burning out. 

4. You’re Sleeping, But Not Recovering

Eight hours of bad sleep is still bad sleep. If you’re waking up tired, you’re not getting into deep, restorative sleep. If you don't believe me or are not sure if this is you, put on a watch that tracks your levels of sleep, and we guarantee you aren't sleeping how you should be.

Screen time, stress, and even late-night caffeine all wreck your melatonin production, stopping your body from hitting those deep REM cycles where real recovery happens.

The Fix: Reduce cortisol before bed (again, Reishi’s your guy), and if you must stare at your phone, at least turn on night mode.

The Real Side Effect of Fixing This? Actually Having Energy.

If any of this sounds painfully familiar, it’s because most of us have been trapped in this cycle for years. And no, the solution isn’t more coffee—it’s fueling your body properly.

That’s why we made Side Effects. No BS, no fake energy—just real ingredients that help your body and brain function how they’re supposed to.

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

Time to stop feeling tired and actually fix it.

References

Research, I. of M. (US) C. on M.N. and Marriott, B.M. (1994). Effects of Caffeine on Cognitive Performance, Mood, and Alertness in Sleep-Deprived Humans. [online] www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK209050.

Acslab.com. (2023). Functional Mushrooms: Exploring Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Reishi Benefits & Uses. [online] Available at: https://www.acslab.com/mushrooms/functional-mushrooms-lions-mane-cordyceps-and-reishi 

Are Mushroom Supplements the Key to Boosting Your Brain Health? [online] Verywell Mind. Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/mushroom-supplements-for-brain-health-8784675

Healthline. (2021). What Are Adaptogenic Mushrooms? Benefits, Risks, and Types. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/adaptogenic-mushrooms.

Communication, M. and (2024). Functional Mushrooms: What’s Up with These Fun Guys? | University of Utah Health. [online] healthcare.utah.edu. Available at: https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2024/01/functional-mushrooms-whats-these-fun-guys.