Beyond Coffee: A Sustainable Guide to Nootropics, Adaptogens, and Mushrooms

When it comes to productivity, there aren’t many things we do today that we did 200 years ago. We send emails instead of post, drive cars instead of horse-drawn carriages, and look up stuff on our phones instead of traveling a hundred miles to the nearest library.

However, when it comes to our morning routines, 80 percent of the world consumes caffeine each day to wake them up and give them a boost for their daily tasks. Whether it’s black tea or coffee, most of us consume the same ingredients we consumed 200 years ago without realizing two important facts. First, coffee beans and tea leaves are not the only sources of energy that nature provides us. Second, productivity is more than just wakefulness. It’s energy, focus, creativity, decreased stress, and improved sleep, among other things.

What can nature, science, and global access to different ingredients tell us about optimal productivity? And which ingredients are scientifically proven to be effective and safe? Backed by over 240 scientific studies, Beyond Coffee is a simple guide that answers these questions.

"In an area where it is hard to tell hype from substance, helpful from harmful, James does a fantastic job of breaking down what is backed by science, what isn't, and most importantly--what is a sustainable, daily approach to these ingredients beyond my morning coffee."
--Justin Kan, co-founder (Twitch.tv, Atrium, Exec) and investor

"There's more to life than coffee! That's why I recommend reading Beyond Coffee. It's the must-read, detailed, science-backed guide on how to become more productive using nootropics, adaptogens, and mushrooms. So glad James finally put together his years of research into one, easy-to-read book for all of us that were interested but didn't know where to start."
--Hiten Shah, founder and investor in over 120 startups

"As a doctor, I am fascinated by new discoveries in natural alternatives to prescription medications, but wary of supporting these alternatives without rigorous safety and efficacy studies. James brings over 240 scientific studies to bear with his research on each of these compounds and supplements. It's the most robustly, scientifically-backed breakdown of this space that I've come across. More than that, his focus is on a daily, incremental, and long-term approach to these compounds--rather than short bursts of compounds that are unhealthy or addictive, long-term."
--Patrick Thompson, MD, vascular surgery, Stanford University

"When we feel better, we do better. Many of us seeking to feel and do better assume a route of pharmaceutical solutions. James's book offers alternatives--first by harnessing the power of lifestyle changes such as good sleep, exercise, a healthy diet, and improving stress tolerance, and then by augmenting with "sustainable nootropics" in lieu of synthetic medications. This book is an honest and deep dive into the world of nootropics, rigorously exploring the scientific backing of many of these compounds, with the explicit goal of helping others feel and do better as safely and sustainably as possible." 
--Tina Toutoungi, MD, psychiatrist

"I've studied optimizing health and brain performance for the last eleven years (and have tried nearly every 'brain-hack' out there)--yet still found myself wanting to highlight nearly every sentence of this book. I wish I had this years ago when I spent countless hours trying to research what's so clearly laid out here. It's such a real, down-to-earth guide to navigating your energy and stress levels--and figuring out which might be the right nootropics, adaptogens, and other compounds for you. James, Dan, and Katherine do a great job making it practical, educational, entertaining, and actionable!"
--Tara Viswanathan, Rupa Health founder and CEO

"James, Dr. Engle, and Katherine have written an efficient, concise guide to optimizing performance by utilizing non-caffeinated substances. If you're looking for an ideal companion to your daily coffee or your morning ritual, then this is the resource for you."
--Paul Austin, entrepreneur and founder of The Third Wave