Alternatives to caffeine for focus

Helping your brain focus can be tricky. Despite what you may believe (or have been taught!), your ability to focus is not necessarily related to your self-discipline. Focus can be affected by a variety of factors like lifestyle, external distractions, age, and even stress. Strong willpower alone is not enough to help, but thankfully, there are several things that you can do to improve focus over both the short and longer-term. In this article, we take a closer look at alternatives to caffeine for focus.

What helps your brain focus?

Periods of intense concentration elude many of us. But it’s important to note that while it isn’t your fault, there are things within your control that you can do to improve your ability to focus. 

Caffeine has been touted as a good short-term solution, but the reality for many of us is that caffeine is a band-aid solution that doesn't provide the support we need for the long term. Small lifestyle changes can actually cumulate and ultimately make a big difference.

• Get some shut-eye. Sleep is critical to help your brain function at its best. It’s recommended that adults get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. You can read more about some great tips and tricks to help you relax and get a restful night’s sleep here.
• Get your daily steps in. Whether you’re a fitness guru or a novice, moving more could help improve concentration. Harvard Medical School recommends 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week.
• Design your space. If you need to focus, simply having some autonomy over the space in which you do so could lead to improved productivity. The National Library of Medicine published a study suggesting that decorating your space with plants, photos, and other personal touches could increase productivity by up to 32%! If you can control the sounds of your space by adding music or white noise, you may be able to further optimize your ability to concentrate.

Foods to increase concentration and focus

What we put into our bodies can also have either a positive or negative impact on our ability to focus. For example, drinking an excessive amount of alcohol can negatively affect concentration, whereas a healthy, balanced diet may have a positive effect.

A Mediterranean-style diet is best known for its brain-boosting benefits. Foods like healthy fats, ideally from fatty fish or nuts, berries, and leafy greens can be incorporated into your diet to help maximize your cognitive function. You can get more information on foods to improve your cognitive function here.

Alternatives to caffeine for focus

We’re not your mom, but honestly, making some lifestyle changes around sleep, exercise and healthy eating will play the biggest role in helping to optimize your focus and overall cognitive performance.

However, once you have the basics down, there are some alternatives to caffeine for focus that may do even more than just give you a small temporary jolt.

A class of substances called nootropics can boost brain performance.* These substances can be made from natural or chemical ingredients, with the former being found predominantly in dietary supplements and the latter being used to treat disorders like ADHD or Alzheimer’s.

What is Lion’s mane mushroom powder?

Lion’s mane mushrooms are considered one of these natural nootropics, which means that they can support brain activity and cognitive function, including focus.

Rritual’s Lion’s Mane Focus Elixir also includes other adaptogens and nootropics to help maintain a healthy brain. Rhodiola has roots in competitive sports, with world-class athletes using it to help ward off fatigue, promote physical endurance, and support peak cognitive function. Also included in the mix is Bacopa monnieri which is a traditional Indian (or Ayurvedic) herb, which may help the brain process information faster. Combined, these three powerhouse ingredients can help to promote mental agility, focus, and overall cognitive performance.*

Lion’s mane mushroom brain benefits

Lion’s mane mushrooms have been revered for centuries in Eastern cultures for the beneficial and enlightening effects they may have on cognitive health.

When taken consistently over a few weeks, you should begin to notice a difference in your cognitive performance. It can help bring focus and clarity without the use of stimulants (even if you’re feeling stressed, restless, or just plain foggy,) and can nourish and support that BBE (big brain energy).*

Learn more about the ins and outs of Lion’s mane mushroom brain benefits here.

How much Lion’s mane should I take?

If you are interested in giving Lion’s mane mushroom powder a go, we recommend mixing one stick (or 3 g) of our Lion’s Mane Focus Elixir into 6-8 oz of a warm non-dairy beverage. We love oat milk for the creamy finish, but when mixed with warm water can be more reminiscent of a coffee or tea. It can also work wonders in a smoothie due to the flavor: a dark roasted coffee and carob flavor with notes of herbs and freshly cut tea leaves make this the perfect addition to a smoothie containing nut butter.

Start with one serving every other day and adjust as needed. We recommend waiting a minimum of two weeks before altering your consumption to understand how your body will respond. For more information on how to use Lion’s mane mushroom powder, click here.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease.

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