The Modern-Day Dilemma
In 2024, we are all bombarded by an endless stream of notifications, emails, and social media updates that fracture our attention and make it hard to feel mentally calm. Each generation faces unique challenges; whether it's saving for a mortgage, the cost of living crisis and so on.
We find ourselves reaching for quick fixes as ways to adapt - coffees to focus, booze to relax - a cycle which only provides temporary relief and doesn't actually solve the root issue or improve our performance. The result? Stress and a nagging feeling that we're not living up to our potential; in work, relationships, and life.
The numbers don't lie - stress, burnout and concentration issues are at all time highs.
79% of people say they frequently felt work related stress and over 50% of people think their productivity is decreasing year-on-year.
As a neuroscientist, Mike was seeing this pattern all too often. Adapt’s other co-founder, Christian, was in this cycle in 2023. We soon began looking at natural, healthy ingredients and what the evidence was saying about their benefits. That’s when Adapt was born—created out of passion for better alternatives, necessity, frustration, and a desire to break free from the cycle of quick fixes.
The Downside of the “Quick Fix” Culture
Quick fixes—like caffeine to push through a meeting or a drink to unwind—are familiar crutches. But these habits can compound stress and disrupt our natural rhythms, often leading to the exact problems we’re trying to solve: low energy, focus, and resilience. Research shows that while caffeine and alcohol can offer temporary relief, they don’t address our deeper need for sustained, genuine wellness.
- Caffeine: While it’s an excellent pick-me-up for a few hours, caffeine often leaves us jittery and eventually, more tired. It works by blocking adenosine receptors, essentially muting your brain's natural tiredness signals. The temporary burst of energy from caffeine can also create a dependency that leads to crashes, poor sleep, and needing more coffee the next day.
- Alcohol: It’s no secret that alcohol relaxes the mind and eases social interactions. It hits the GABA receptors, creating temporary calm but disrupting your natural stress response systems. We're not just masking our body's signals, it also slows down cognitive function and disrupts sleep quality, leaving us groggy the next day.
But what if their were natural products that give us the feeling we crave? Whilst actually improving our health and our performance.
Our Journey to Burnout—and the Solution We Didn’t See Coming
In November 2023, Christian found himself at a breaking point. Giving everything he had to his job and receiving almost nothing in return. Burned out and mentally exhausted, he was turning to quick fixes to help push through. But over time, he was more stressed, fatigued, and unable to stay focused.
With Mike’s background as a neuroscientist, he’d long been interested in how natural compounds and adaptogens could support the mind and body. We began to explore the science-backed benefits of functional mushrooms—especially adaptogens like Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Cordyceps. The more we learned and the more we tested, it became clear that functional mushrooms could offer a genuine solution, helping people to adapt to stress without relying on unsustainable quick fixes, backed up by scientific evidence. This is where Adapt was born.
Developing Adapt
Adapt was created by leading food scientists who developed TRIP, Huel and PerfectTed. With Mike's research-led approach & input, we have ensured that each drink delivers optimal & science-proven levels of each adaptogen for your maximum benefit. We are the only functional drink that delivers on this promise.
We are proudly caffeine-free and alcohol-free, or 'quick-fix' free as we say! 100% natural ingredients designed to improve your brain performance, help you relax - all whilst improving sleep quality.
Breaking the Cycle: How Adapt Can Help
If you’re feeling caught in the caffeine-alcohol loop, know that you’re not alone. There’s a growing movement of people seeking alternatives, people who want to perform and feel better without sacrificing their health. Functional mushrooms and adaptogens offer a powerful solution. They’re about long-term support and can provide short-term benefits, giving you the energy, focus, and calm you need to adapt to life’s demands, whilst actually improving your health and helping you fulfil your potential.
A Note from Us
Our goal with Adapt is simple: to help people reach their potential in all aspects of life. Of course we're still going to have a coffee or a pint, but we believe a more balanced approach is key
We’re not about creating a magic bullet or quick fix. Instead, we’re building a community of people who want to take control of their well-being and feel empowered to make healthy choices.
Adapt was born from our desire to help others also reap the benefits we have from functional mushrooms & thrive in today’s fast-paced world. We’re soooo excited to share our products with you.