For most people, caffeine is their first drug of choice, and a very legal one used in everything from energy drinks and coffee to products you wouldn’t expect (think protein bars and over-the-counter pain relievers).

That over-reliance on caffeine to provide a daily boost in energy and alertness often comes at a high cost, especially if you’re addicted to it (which many people are) or metabolize it very slowly (as a majority of people do).

So, if you could find a substitute to caffeine that provides some of the same benefits but without the health problems, would you try it?

Though Paul loves his one-shot morning espresso because that is his personal threshold, beyond which he finds himself being addicted to caffeine, he has found UPDATE, an energy drink formulated with the far gentler paraxanthine, invaluable for support when working late or is in need of a little "pick-me-up" that won't lead to addiction or negative symptoms. Paul feels that UPDATE is a revolutionary drink that is a far better alternative than sweetened caffeine drinks or things that contain caffeine in general and is excited to talk with the formulators of UPDATE, Daniel Solomons and Shawn Wells, this week on Spirit Gym.

Connect with Daniel and Shawn and the UPDATE community at their website and on social media via Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, TikTok and Instagram. Learn more about Shawn and his work at his website and Zone Halo.

For Spirit Gym listeners: Save 25 percent on a 12-pack of UPDATE’s four refreshing flavors (Berry, Lime, Mandarin or Peach or a variety pack) at this website and use promo code CHEK25 at checkout. (Special offers from Spirit Gym guests are time-sensitive and at their discretion to redeem after 30 days.)

Paul will also be hosting an exclusive Q&A session with Daniel and Shawn exclusively for Spirit Gym listeners at a future date so sign up for your Spirit Gym podcast membership today!

Timestamps

1:01 Why Paul invited Daniel and Shawn to talk about UPDATE.

7:52 “I believe I was on the edge of death either intentionally committing suicide or unintentionally committing suicide through all my work.”

15:05 How much caffeine do you drink every day?

19:51 Today’s energy drinks over-fuel people.

32:03 A chemistry lesson in formulating a cleaner, healthier energy drink.

42:26 Allostasis, homeostasis and hormesis.

58:04 Experiencing the flow without the frazzle.

1:08:26 Could UPDATE be used as a supplement?

1:16:29 The combination of caffeine and paraxanthine can be problematic.

1:22:45 The deeper physical and mental implications of always being switched on.

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EP 331 — Daniel Solomons and Shawn Wells: Life — Beyond Caffeine