Stimulants are some of the most popular substances in the United States and around the world. Unfortunately, many stimulant substances, like drugs and energy drinks, are made synthetically and come with a variety of serious effects on the overall health of their users. Thankfully, mother nature has several solutions to mankind’s need for energy-boosting supplements without any unnecessary, negative effects on a person’s health. Of the many substances available in the United States and around the world, only five natural stimulants are the absolute best of the best.
What is a Stimulant?
The category of stimulants applies to a variety of substances. No matter what form these substances take, a stimulant of any kind will speed up the signals and messages sent between a person’s brain and body. When consumed, stimulants almost always provide a person with an immediate burst of energy. This also means that stimulants can and often do increase a consumer’s heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and brain functioning. However, not all stimulants, especially natural stimulants, will have these dramatic effects on the body. In fact, many natural stimulants have additional beneficial effects on a person’s body and mind.
Top 5 Natural Stimulants
The category, “stimulant”, can be applied to dozens of natural and unnatural substances. Unfortunately, many of these substances can be dangerous and harm their users with serious side effects on their health and wellbeing. However, there are also dozens of safe, natural stimulants that can help provide a person with a burst of energy and other significant health benefits. Of them, the following are the top 5 natural stimulants:
5. Coffee
No list of the best and most popular stimulants in the United States and abroad would be complete without coffee. Although most people only think of coffee as a hot, brown liquid, coffee comes from the seeds of berries. Before they are roasted, ground, and used in coffee makers, the seeds are green.
As a stimulant, coffee can be used and enjoyed in a number of ways. The most common way to consume coffee is to drink it as a hot or cold beverage – sometimes accompanied with pumpkin spice or other flavorings. However, people can also consume coffee by eating the green beans or one of the many other forms coffee has taken, such as mints, gum, energy bars, and more.
Caffeine and alkaloids are what make coffee a great natural stimulant. These two help provide a person with a healthy and natural boost of energy.
4. American Ginseng
Every variety of natural stimulant will help a person have more energy. However, they sometimes go about it in different ways. While coffee typically provides a person with a surge of energy, American Ginseng helps provide a person with energy by reducing fatigue.
American Ginseng is a herb that grows in many areas in the United States. This herb is an adaptogen. Members of this classification for substances provide a consumer with an ability to stimulate their resistance to physical and emotional stressors. Because of this, American Ginseng can help a person maintain their energy more consistently and reduce burnout and fatigue.
Unfortunately, American Ginseng is considered an endangered species in some states due to high demand with little supply, so it can often be difficult to find. Nevertheless, it is an effective and helpful natural stimulant.
3. Theobromine
The caffeine found in coffee and tea is not the only substance capable of providing an individual with a quick burst of energy. Theobromine is an alkaloid that can also help give a person some extra energy when they need it. In many ways, theobromine is actually a much healthier and more effective stimulant than caffeine.
Theobromine is a natural stimulant that affects a person’s central nervous system when consumed. This keeps a person from feeling overly alert or jittery when consuming it. It also keeps theobromine from becoming addictive.
Overall, theobromine is an effective natural stimulant capable of providing a person with long lasting but relaxed energy without a spike or crash.
2. Yerba Mate
Originally from South America, yerba mate is a type of herbal tea that is quickly gaining traction around the world. It is made from the leaves and twigs of a plant named ilex paraguariensis. When made into a tea, yerba mate contains several nutrients, such as xanthines, caffeoyl derivatives, saponins, and polyphenols. Each nutrient has their own benefits, but when combined in yerba mate tea, they make a powerful, natural stimulant that is rich in antioxidants.
As a natural stimulant, yerba mate offers its consumers not only a boost of energy but also the ability to reduce overall fatigue. Yerba mate also has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to help fight infections and diseases.
1. Guarana
One of the most effective and powerful natural stimulants is guarana. It comes from Paullinia cupana, a plant native to the Amazon basin in Brazil. When fully matured a guarana fruit is roughly the same size as a coffee berry.
The guarana fruit is one of the most powerful natural stimulants in the world. It contains a variety of substances that ensure this, including caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine. Guarana also contains a number of beneficial antioxidants like tannins, saponins, and catechins.
Despite being a natural stimulant, guarana often receives some hesitation and even criticism because it can often be found in unnatural and unhealthy energy drinks. However, when consumed outside of energy drinks, guarana is an extremely effective, natural stimulant with a minimal risk for side effects.
Learn Which Natural Stimulant is Right for You!
A natural stimulant can be a great addition to anyone’s diet or lifestyle. If you or a loved one would like to learn more about natural stimulants and which may work best for your body or lifestyle, help is available in your area! At Asheville Recovery Center, our team are experts on the human body and the natural remedies they often need. Contact us or call us today for more information!
