Can An Adaptogen Drink Help You Calm Down? Recess® vs MTE®

It seems we’re all looking for a way to chill out without needing a 4-hour nap to feel calm and tranquil. Well, let’s be honest – nobody’s felt calm and tranquil after a 4-hour nap. More like, What year is it?!

Anyway – alcohol is the go-to for fun, low-key vibes. But alcohol’s got its caveats. It’s not healthy, not to mention too much of it does make you wanna pass out. Plus, it’s not exactly appropriate to pour some whiskey in your coffee at 9am because you’re stressed about the awkward lunch you planned with your ex. But what else have we got? Prescriptions? Also not really a win-win.

But there are new products out there offering a healthy, clean alternative to alcohol and pills to get that positive, calm vibe we’re searching for? Yes! Both Recess® and MTE® are adaptogenic alternatives to not-as-healthy unwind habits that can offer you an additional option that’s natural and positive for wellness.

Let’s look at how both of these adaptogen-stacked drinks work and compare the specs on MTE® & Recess®:

How it Works

Where Does the Chilled Out Vibe Come From in MTE® & Recess®?

MTE® is a wellness companion to help replace things like excessive caffeine for energy or alcohol for stress reduction. It utilizes an advanced blend of adaptogens and nootropics to help your body balance itself into a calm, clear state.

Recess® is a sparkling water meant to taste like a cocktail, so its purpose is a little more specific than MTE®. But Recess® also knows the power of natural nootropics and adaptogens, so uses the same mechanisms as MTE® to give you that tranquil, unburdened feeling.

So, how do adaptogens and nootropics work?

Adaptogens are plants, mushrooms, algae, and other flora that help the body adapt to stress. Adaptogens are thought to work by regulating the body's stress response system. They often have broad-spectrum effects, because balancing that activity has a cascade of positive health benefits besides just feeling clear, calm and chill.

Nootropics are a diverse group of substances – synthetic and natural – that are thought to enhance cognitive function. Each has a specific route by which it boosts brain function; some modulate neurotransmitters, others increase the generation of new neurons, and others reduce oxidative stress and improve blood flow to the brain. Nootropics can offer a feeling of being present, together and ready for whatever situation you’re in.

Benefits

What’s Good? Advantages of Recess® vs MTE® Adaptogen Drinks

Let’s look at what each of these anti-stress drinks claim to do:

Recess®’ sparkling adaptogen water blends key herbs with bioactive properties that:

A refreshing alternative to alcohol that still acts and tastes like your favorite cocktails
A balanced boost of energy and focus
Reduced feelings of tension and stress

MTE®’s daily greens powder is comprised of 13 carefully-curated ingredients that support and promote:

Stress resilience
Zoned-in focus
Energy boost
Calm, clear mood
Quality rest/recovery
Immunity
Reduced inflammation

Ingredients

What’s Inside? Comparing Adaptogen Stacks in MTE® & Recess®

Adaptogens and nootropics are rarer classes of compounds, especially since neither Recess® nor MTE® use any synthetic ones. So, we see an overlap in both products’ active ingredients. Both Recess® and MTE®’s calming formulas contain:

L-theanine (Nootropic)

An amino acid found in some plants and medicinal mushrooms, l-theanine reduces feelings of stress and promotes relaxation without drowsiness. It’s thought to do this by modulating key neurotransmitters in the brain to hack the interconnected systems of mood, energy, focus, wakefulness, etc. back into balanced, functional communication. This includes supporting levels neurotransmitters that:

Have calming and relaxing effects not associated with drowsiness
Promote motivation and reward
Facilitate learning and memory formation/retention

L-theanine has also been shown to improve nighttime rest by promoting the production of alpha waves, which are brain waves associated with relaxation and meditation.

Ginseng (Adaptogen)

Panax ginseng (in Recess®) and its cousin eleuthero (in MTE®) share many of the same bioactive properties, but in clinical settings, eleuthero has shown additional abilities, too. Ginsengs fight the physical and psychological effects of stress, which can result in several benefits:

Increased immunity
Better stress resilience
Better cognitive performance
Improved sleep health
Better physical performance

Other adaptogens and nootropics utilized by MTE®, and their intended purposes, are:

Ashwagandha for reduced stress/tension
Maca for sustained energy and mood
GABA for tranquil mood
Holy basil for reduced stress and boosted immunity
Chicory root for stress response and gut health
Methylliberine for energy and focus
Amaranth for sustained energy
Spirulina for inflammation response and immunity
Green tea for energy and focus
Theacrine for euphoric energy and focus
Saffron for peaceful mood and better recovery

Recess®, on the other hand, uses:

Hemp balances the mind and centers the body
Lemon balm supports equilibrium and helps you unwind
Guayusa for a balanced boost
Magnesium for cognitive support
Passion flower balances ups and downs

Pricing & Packaging

Logistics: MTE® vs Recess® Cost & Convenience

On a daily basis, what are we dealing with when we talk about using MTE® or Recess®?

MTE® is a non-caffeinated daily energy drink powder that comes in 30-serving bags with a measured scoop included. Available online directly from the company’s website, a subscription to MTE® comes in at $1.98 per drink, and will just show up at your door once a month – no errands needed.

Recess® is also a caffeine-free turn-up, wind-down canned sparkling water that can replace alcoholic drinks (though the company also offers mood powders in tubs and packets). Available on the company’s site and on Amazon, a Recess® subscription comes in 12-packs that break down to $3.33 per can.

Other Highlights

More Cool Stuff About Recess® & MTE®

But wait – there’s more! The thing about adaptogen-laden, natural alternatives to energy drinks and alcohol is that they naturally come with additional cool stuff. For instance, the form of magnesium in Recess® provides nutrition for the brain, and their formula also includes electrolytes for balanced hydration. Recess® is also low-sugar and low-calorie, and uses real fruit juice to flavor it.

MTE® is a low-caffeine, no-sugar option to replace things like coffee, energy drinks or those two post-office glasses of wine. Free of excessive caffeine and artificial sweeteners, MTE®’s daily greens supplement powder is also:

Vegan
Keto
Gluten-free
Dairy-free
Kosher
Halal
Organic

So, if you’re looking for a true substitute for alcoholic cocktails, Recess® is definitely for you. With the nootropics for energy and focus, and the adaptogens for a calm, peaceful mood, Recess® imitates the pro-social, pro-relaxation feeling of real cocktails.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for an all-around mood and health booster that combines those same feelings of clear focus and tranquil energy, MTE® is a better alternative for substances like caffeine and sugar – things like coffee, tea and energy drinks.

Curious about how a greens powder can replace unhealthy habits? Learn more about MTE®.