A performance enhancer, brain booster and hormone balancer. This is the hot chocolate you need when you are missing coffee but not the cortisol spikes. When you need to sharpen your mind and get in the zone with love and respect to your entire system, these 7 ingredients will deliver. It is also…. so tasty! And thank goodness because giving up coffee is hard! I see you, I feel you.
I like to sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top, just be aware when you lean in for that first, delicious, warming sip, if you sniff the chocolatey aroma with too much enthusiasm, the cinnamon nose burn is real.
Ingredients
- 50ml milk of your choice (I used soy)
- 1 tsp cacao powder
- 1 tsp honey (I used a super dark one for the extra medicinal and immune boosting properties)
- 1/2 tsp lions mane
- 1/2 tsp l-tyrosine (optional and with consideration to your unique needs*)
- pinch of cinnamon
- pinch of nutmeg
Method:
- Get a kettle of fresh water boiling and whilst this is happening mix the above (without the milk) in good sized (300ml-ish) mug.
- It should have formed a paste by the time you add a little bit of hot water in, this is just to help you mix it better. Once it resembles something silky smooth, add your milk and top with hot water till your cup is full (literally and figuratively.)
Important notes on l-tyrosine
- It is a fabulous amino acid, the precursor to L-dopa which then become dopamine. Beneficial in those suffering from depression or working with ADHD. The amino acid may serve to boost levels of dopamine in your brain such that you feel heightened levels of motivation, focus and drive. Often used by those in the general population prior to engaging in deep work, it can boost productivity and the quality of your work output.
- A bit like caffeine, your body can adapt to l-tyrosine so trying one week on, one week off may serve you better.
- What is critical to understand is dosage, timing and whether your brain chemistry will thrive on additional amounts of this amino acid. Know thyself and consult your physician should you have any concerns before changing or adding anything to your diet.
Further reading and resources
Bloemendaal, M., Froböse, M. I., Wegman, J., Zandbelt, B. B., van de Rest, O., Cools, R., & Aarts, E. (2018). Neuro-cognitive effects of acute tyrosine administration on reactive and proactive response inhibition in healthy older adults. eNeuro, 5(2), ENEURO.0035-17.2018-. https://doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0035-17.2018
The role of protein and amino acids in sustaining and enhancing performance. (1999). National Academy Press.
SaeYond Health 