Tag: caffeine sensitivity

The world is crazed for coffee.

We’ve been drinking it for hundreds of years. And not just because of that oh-so familiar earthy taste. A lot of us depend on it to function.

Sitting down in the morning, that first sip — it can be a warm hug. A ritual.

Hot coffee that warms our souls on cold winter mornings, or iced coffee that refreshes us on hot summer days.

It can be our lively companion when we’re groggy-eyed and half-asleep.

All seems well… until the crash.

With it, comes tiredness that feels like you could fall asleep headfirst on your desk.

And sometimes, irritability to the point of wanting to throw the closest thing at that colleague.

⸻

My story: When Coffee Turned on Me

My problem with coffee wasn’t the crash.

In my teens, I drank four or five cups a day — no issues.

But by my early 20s, I started noticing a link between coffee and my anxiety.

One sunny day, I had a barista coffee. Later, out of nowhere, I was overwhelmed with anxiety and emotional sensitivity.

Thoughts churned like a washing machine.

After reflecting, I remembered this had happened before. Strong barista coffees were triggering something.

Things came to a head when I was in Vietnam.

After drinking a delicious egg coffee (trust me, it’s good), I was walking through a peaceful park when anxiety hit again — hard.

It ended in tears and became clear: I had caffeine sensitivity.

And I know I’m not alone.

⸻

Could Coffee’s Side Effects Be Adding To Your Anxiety?

If you often feel on edge, try tracking how you feel after your daily brew.

Jitters, insomnia, headaches, or spiraling thoughts — they could be side effects and signs of a caffeine sensitivity.

Just the other day my colleague told me that the one time they stopped biting their nails is when they worked abroad where coffee was scarce.

But the good news? You don’t have to give up coffee altogether.

We can still get that cozy morning ritual — without the anxiety.

⸻

Enter: Mushroom Coffee (Wait, Don’t Click Away Just Yet)

What helped me: Mushroom coffee. 

Stay with me.

I’ve seen the puzzled looks, the raised eyebrows, the “what?” reactions.

But hear me out — because this stuff changed my life.

⸻

How Can Mushroom Coffee Benefit You?

Here’s why these beverages made from fungi work:

Some mushrooms, like Reishi, are adaptogens — they help the body cope with physical and emotional stress.

Others, like Cordyceps, support energy and oxygen use.

Lion’s Mane helps to stimulate new nerve growth, which supports brain health.

I use Free Soul Wake, which you can find here.

Besides being a powerhouse of healing, natural ingredients, it has:

• Half the caffeine of regular coffee

• A blend of four mushrooms, ashwagandha (for mood), turmeric (for inflammation)

• Cinnamon, cocoa, and arabica beans

My experience? No jitters. No crash. Just focus. 

I can now actually enjoy coffee with a perfect dose of caffeine and all this other goodness for my mind and brain.

But what about the taste? I was skeptical. After trying it, I can vouch for how this brand actually tastes like a mocha because of the added cocoa.

And, after all, coffee and mushrooms share that earthy taste.

It’s also pretty versatile!

Latte, espresso, iced, shake-style — however you love your coffee, you can keep it.

So Why Make The Switch?

You could keep paying £3-4 for takeaways that leave you drained.

Or spend 99p per cup on something that supports your body and your mind.

⸻

Whilst Free Soul Wake is still my favourite (for the taste and the blend of mushrooms), I know everyone’s different. Some people want a bigger energy boost, some prefer simplicity, and others just want the best deal.

This post may contain affiliate links- through which I may earn a small commission, which supports me on my journey at no extra cost to you.

Here are a few more options that might suit you better — depending on what you need:

Options: For Caffeine Lovers + Mushroom Potency

Spacegoods ‘Rainbow Dust

For coffee lovers who can tolerate a bit more caffeine — this one’s got around 120mg per cup.

It includes Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Chaga (1,000mg of each), so you can feel sure that you’re getting a high-potency dose of functional mushrooms.

You’ll also find Ashwagandha (great for managing stress) and Maca (often used for hormone balance and energy).

Normally £39.99 (ouch, I know, but that’s the price of quality), it costs £1.33 per cup — but through this link, you can get it for £27.79 or 92p per cup.

Options: For A Safe Start To Your Mushroom Coffee Journey

Dirtea

Want to try mushroom coffee without diving in headfirst?

Dirtea offers a smaller blend — just Lion’s Mane (1,000mg), with Ashwagandha and Maca added in.

It’s also got just 50mg of caffeine, so it’s ideal if you’re sensitive like me.

You can test it out with a 7-serving trial sachets for £11.99 (that’s £1.71 per cup), or grab their 60-serving pack, which brings it down to just 63p per cup via this link.

---

Options: For Mushroom Cheap + Caffeine Cheerful

Ying & Yang Superfoods

This one’s for the strong coffee crew.

With 180mg of caffeine from Brazilian arabica, it’s definitely bold — but still balanced with Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Cordyceps (still all organic!).

You also get Ashwagandha and Maca in the mix.

A 35-serving bag is only £14.99 — just 42p a cup.

Or go big with a 100-serving bag for £29.99 — 29p per cup. Not bad for something that supports your brain and mood.

---

So, after a rundown of my favourite picks from top to toe, I want to end by bringing it back to my truth.

For me, it’s all about the small things — those little pockets of joy hidden in daily rituals as simple as sipping on a cup of coffee.

Little switches in our habits and altering the tools in our toolbox, so to speak, that set us up for success.

It can be small moment like that which draws us away from the noise — both inside and out – if we pay attention to it.

A few seconds to ground ourselves in the now.

Even if it’s just pausing to notice the smell of your brew, the familiar taste, the warmth of your cup, or the way it feels to be present.

Growth doesn’t always come from big breakthroughs — sometimes, it can start with our morning cup.

⸻

Have you found something that sounds like your cup of calm? I’d love to hear what you try — or feel free to drop me a comment or message if you’re not sure which one’s right for you.

If you’re new here, learn more about why I started Growded and my mission to help growth through grounding here.

⸻

---