6 Reasons to Ditch Caffeine (and What to Drink Instead)

Let’s be real, caffeine isn’t working like it used to.

Maybe your morning brew leaves you anxious. Maybe your afternoon latte ruins your sleep. Or maybe you're just tired of being tired of being tired.

Caffeine is one of the most socially accepted stimulants on the planet, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for your body, your hormones or your health.

Here are six science-backed, life-backed reasons to cut caffeine, and what you should drink instead.

1. Caffeine spikes cortisol and keeps you stressed

Caffeine stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol, your body’s main stress hormone. Elevated cortisol levels over time can lead to chronic stress, impaired sleep, and burnout.

A landmark study by Lovallo et al. (2005) found that caffeine significantly increases cortisol secretion, especially in individuals with high habitual stress. For women in particular, caffeine appears to magnify stress reactivity (Lovallo et al., 2005).

 

2. It disrupts your sleep, even if you drink it early

Caffeine has a half-life of 5–8 hours, meaning even a cup in the morning can affect your sleep that night. Caffeine delays melatonin release and reduces deep sleep stages, even in people who feel they “sleep fine” after coffee (Clark & Landolt, 2017).

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, Drake et al. (2013) found that caffeine taken even 6 hours before bedtime significantly disrupted sleep quality and duration.

3. It gives you energy, until it doesn’t

Caffeine doesn’t create energy, it blocks adenosine, a neurotransmitter that signals fatigue. Once caffeine wears off, adenosine floods your system, leading to that familiar “crash.”

Nehlig (2016) describes how caffeine’s alertness is followed by a rebound effect where fatigue, irritability, and mental fog set in, especially with chronic use.

 

4. It increases anxiety, heart rate and nervous tension

Caffeine activates the sympathetic nervous system, triggering a fight-or-flight response even in low doses (Smith, 2002). This can worsen symptoms of anxiety, heart palpitations, and panic attacks.

A study in Psychosomatic Medicine found that individuals with anxiety disorders experience amplified physiological responses to caffeine, including elevated blood pressure and muscle tension.

5. It disrupts hormonal balance

Caffeine has been shown to interfere with estrogen metabolism, particularly in women. A study by Wu et al. (2001) found that caffeine intake altered estrogen levels in premenopausal women, effects which may compound issues like PMS, hot flushes or cycle irregularities.

Caffeine also elevates cortisol, which can further dysregulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, contributing to menopausal and stress-related hormone imbalances (Seifert et al., 2011).

 

6. It’s more expensive than you think

Let’s do the math.

• One $5 takeaway coffee per day = $1,825/year

• Add snacks, milk alternatives, and double shots and it gets worse

• Even brewing at home averages $2–3/day or $700–$1,000 annually

Our coffee alternative costs around $1.73 per serve, or even less in a bundle. And unlike regular coffee, it actually supports your wellness, not just your alertness.

What to drink instead?

If you want:

• Better energy

• Balanced mood

• Less anxiety

• Deeper sleep

• Hormonal harmony

Then it’s time to replace the stimulant, not the ritual.

 

Our Mushroom Coffee is:

• Extremely low caffeine (we don't even need to legally print it on the label, but we do)

• Made with organic Lion’s Mane, Reishi and Cordyceps

• Blended and packed in Australia

• Designed for daily calm, clarity, and focus

You can grab some great discounts on our Starter Kit, the perfect place to begin your coffee alternative journey.

 

 

FAQs

Can quitting caffeine reduce anxiety and improve sleep?

Yes. Research shows caffeine disrupts sleep architecture and increases anxiety symptoms, especially in sensitive individuals. Many people sleep better and feel calmer after quitting.

Is mushroom coffee actually effective for energy?

Yes. Ingredients like Cordyceps support mitochondrial ATP production, while Lion’s Mane improves cognitive function — delivering real, sustained energy without the crash.

Can I transition slowly from coffee using Earthrise?

Absolutely. You can start by mixing Earthrise with a smaller dose of coffee, then gradually taper down until you’re caffeine-free.

Is it safe to drink Earthrise daily?

Yes. Earthrise is formulated for everyday use and contains no stimulants. It’s ideal for sensitive nervous systems, midlife hormonal shifts, or anyone seeking balance.

How long until I feel the benefits of quitting caffeine?

Most people notice reduced anxiety and better sleep within 3–5 days. More stable energy and improved focus follow within 1–2 weeks.

References

• Lovallo, W.R. et al. (2005). Cortisol responses to mental stress, exercise, and meals following caffeine intake in men and women. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 81(3), pp.634–639.

• Drake, C. et al. (2013). Caffeine effects on sleep taken 0, 3, or 6 hours before going to bed. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 9(11), pp.1195–1200.

• Clark, I. & Landolt, H.P. (2017). Coffee, caffeine, and sleep: A systematic review of epidemiological studies and randomized controlled trials. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 31, pp.70–78.

• Nehlig, A. (2016). Effects of coffee/caffeine on brain health and disease: What should I tell my patients? Practical Neurology, 16(2), pp.89–95.

• Bruce, M. et al. (1992). Caffeine’s effects on the human stress response. Psychosomatic Medicine, 54(2), pp.155–162.

• Wu, A.H. et al. (2001). Caffeine intake and endogenous hormone levels in premenopausal women. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 10(6), pp.729–735.

• Seifert, S.M. et al. (2011). Health effects of energy drinks on children, adolescents, and young adults. Pediatrics, 127(3), pp.511–528.

• Wachtel-Galor, S. et al. (2011). Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes: A review. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects.

• Paterson, R.R.M. (2008). Cordyceps – a traditional Chinese medicine and another fungal therapeutic biofactory? Phytochemistry, 69(7), pp.1469–1495.