I tried the viral gummies users say help them 'feel focused' - but does a medical expert think they're worth it?
Looking to include adaptogens into your daily life but unsure where to start? TRIP has recently released new Lion's Mane Gummies – and I put them to the test to see if they could supercharge my focus.
Hailed as a got-to wellness ingredient with over 44 million posts dedicated to it on TikTok, Lion's Mane is packed with essential nutrients - and many people have shared their experiences online.
The TRIP Raspberry Lion's Mane Gummies are tasty, high-strength raspberry-flavoured gummies designed to be taken every day – and the brand says they're ideal as a 'pick-me-up'.
Each two-gummy serving contains 2000mg of Lion's Mane extract. Lion's Mane is a popular ingredient in nootropic supplements, and some users have shared that they notice improved focus after taking them.
'Another great tasting product from TRIP as expected,' raved one impressed reviewer. 'My brain fog is clearing and I feel more focused.'
Another added: 'Great taste, and a definite feeling of clarity. 5 Stars from me.'
But what do we really know about Lion's Mane? I spoke to Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, who told me that while there is fairly minimal evidence on the neurological benefits of Lion's Mane, there is still some research that shows some impressive potential benefits.
'Some research suggests that Lion's Mane may support nerve regeneration and brain health, potentially improving memory, focus, and symptoms of mild cognitive impairment,' Dr Suzanne told Daily Mail.
'It has also been linked to reduced inflammation and support for mood, with some studies indicating it may have mild antidepressant or anxiolytic effects. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution, as larger, high-quality clinical trials are lacking.'
Whether I'm in the office or working from home, I'm no stranger to the post-lunch slump, which leaves me feeling unfocused and sleepy. Thus, I've been after something to give me a bit of focus and pep during working days – and these TRIP gummies certainly performed for me.
Coming in the form of little pink duds, the gummies look just like your run-of-the-mill sweets – and taste like them, too, surprisingly delicious with their sweet raspberry flavour.
Let's just say that when I'm hungry, it's hard to resist popping a few more… alas, the serving size is two gummies a day – and this serving size certainly suffices.
After popping two, within about an hour, I genuinely do start to feel more switched-on. My work starts to feel far more manageable and, as a writer, words come to me much faster.
In short, my focus feels honed – and I can only credit that to these little gummies.
And while I wondered at first if it was just me, the rave reviews from other shoppers proved that was certainly not the case.
'I love taking these Lion's Mane gummies when I need a little cognitive boost, especially as an afternoon pick me up,' one raved. 'The raspberry flavour really comes through and they're so easy to take along with me anywhere, in my bag, for example.'
Another added: 'I definitely feel a bit more focused after taking the gummies. Another great Trip product.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
9 minutes ago
- The Independent
Why do people sometimes lose their appetite as they get older?
Loss of appetite is not uncommon as people age and can indicate underlying physical health problems or emotional wellbeing, potentially leading to malnutrition and reduced vitality. Dr Nick Thompson, a consultant gastroenterologist, identifies seven key reasons for decreased appetite in older individuals, including limited access to fresh food due to mobility issues, poor dental health, and depression. Other significant factors contributing to appetite loss include the side effects of multiple medications (polypharmacy), social isolation and loneliness, and various illnesses common in later life, such as gut issues or constipation. To manage reduced appetite, practical strategies include making eating a social activity and consulting a GP to review medications that might be impacting appetite. Maintaining regular physical activity to preserve mobility and strength, and addressing dietary deficiencies, particularly in vitamins like vitamin D, are also recommended.
Telegraph
40 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Don't turn new drivers into amateur ambulances
New rules from the DVSA will ensure that new drivers will be tested on their CPR skills in order to get their licence. I would refresh readers on what CPR is, but two-thirds of Britons already know how to perform this first aid function. Yet, new drivers will be forced to undertake testing on the subject in order to do what they took the test for in the first place. To drive. Already, the RAC estimates that the total cost of learning to drive can exceed £2,000. With waiting lists for tests exceeding five months, and an ongoing reform package not expected to take a hold until the summer of next year, these new changes needlessly add extra strains to an already rigorous driving examination. Since 2020, it has been mandatory to undertake first aid and CPR training as part of our school curriculum. In primary school, basic wound dressing and speaking to emergency services is taught, whilst in the secondary stages, rubber mannequins are deployed. Often St John's Ambulance or qualified staff will step in to rigorously teach compressions, breaths, and the Bee Gees (Staying Alive) in classrooms. In extra curricular activities, such as the Scouts, Cadets, or sports teams, first aid courses are also encouraged, or even form part of the participation tests. This is important – heart attacks happen on the pitch and in the pool, and there has been a very successful campaign to deploy 100,000 defibrillators across the UK in recent years, which is equivalent to the number of heart attacks per year. However, we do not know whether adding additional tests for young drivers will do anything to change the status quo to save more lives. Most people injured or killed in a car crash do not suffer from cardiac arrest. Rather it is blunt force trauma, deep lacerations and contusions, and shock that brings passengers, drivers, and pedestrians to the hospital. It is the inadequacies of the health service that is the central problem. Most ambulances still arrive past their targets, putting pressure on drivers to pick up the slack. But CPR, even if performed properly, can only do so much for major incidents. It cannot be incumbent upon drivers to take up the job of paramedics and rush to the nearest mangled car collision and provide the necessary treatment. Indeed, there is additional risk to encouraging young drivers, especially if they're shocked following an accident they've been involved in, to provide CPR. Poorly given CPR could result in battery charges, and could endanger the very person they are trying to resuscitate. Enough news stories about these amateur ambulance drivers and headlines of litigations, it may put even the most CPR-qualified drivers off leaping into the fray. If the Government wants to get serious about preventing driving accidents, they must start with the quality of our roads. Highways maintenance will only rise by £200m by the end of this Parliament, far short of what is required to fix the potted pavements and decaying road-signs that blight our tarmac. Likewise, the consideration should be given to the Government's continual pressure towards heavier electric vehicles (which are on average 400kg heavier than their hydrocarbon counterparts). These monstering hulks, which tear up our roads, and collide with more force, will do more damage to a driver or pedestrian than CPR could possible hope to recover.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Not all ultra-processed foods are bad for you... study reveals the eight that actually make you healthier
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more It's no surprise that ultra-processed foods (UPF) are best eaten sparingly. They undergo multiple rounds of manufacturing, with factories infusing cheeses, cured meat, potato chips and more with additives that would never be found in the average household kitchen. A CDC report recently revealed that Americans get more than 50 percent of their daily calories on average from highly processed foods. Kids and teens got about two-thirds of their calories from these foods from 2021 to 2023. UPF-heavy diets have been linked to a laundry list of maladies, including obesity, heart disease, colorectal and breast cancers, diabetes and depression. Researchers also determined in April that for every 10 percent more ultra-processed food added to a person's diet, the risk of dying early from any cause jumped by three percent. They further found that one in seven of nearly 1 million premature deaths in the US could be tied directly to ultra-processed foods like meats, candy, ice cream, and even some seemingly healthy salads and breads. But not all ultra-processed foods are the same. Some UPFs, like frozen veggies, canned tomatoes, whole-grain bread, and Greek yogurt, are healthy swaps because their processing, including freezing and canning, preserves nutrients while avoiding risky additives. Part of the appeal of UPFs is their accessibility. They are generally cheaper than unprocessed chicken, fresh fruit, and organic vegetables. They help families keep their grocery costs down and get dinner on the table quickly. But experts argue that families do not have to sacrifice quality and nutrition for convenience. Canned low-sodium beans, frozen vegetables, and breads with a short ingredients label can be swapped out for some less-than-healthy pantry and freezer staples packed with sodium and preservatives. UPFs are difficult to avoid in the average American grocery store. They make up about 70 percent of the inventories. The American Heart Association said in a study out last week: 'Most of the foods containing industrial additives are also high in unhealthy fats, added sugars, and salt. 'Although the additives are part of the issue, the main problem is that children and adults in the United States eat excessive amounts of nutritionally poor UPFs.' The term 'ultra-processed foods' is an umbrella term that encompasses those items that have been pumped with preservatives, artificial colors, filler ingredients, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and flavoring. 'However, not all UPFs are harmful,' the AHA added. 'Certain whole grain breads, low-sugar yogurts, tomato sauces, and nut or bean-based spreads are of better diet quality, have been associated with improved health outcomes, and are affordable, allowing possible inclusion in diets.' Despite being ultra-processed, some of the best swaps for what most would consider 'junk food' contain fewer additives, including preservatives and colors, less added sugar, and lower sodium. Frozen veggies and berries, canned tomatoes, whole grain bread, and unsweetened Greek yogurt all qualify as processed foods because they undergo innocuous, and in some cases beneficial, processes. These include flash-freezing, canning, mechanical straining in the case of yogurt, and enrichment with vitamins in whole grain bread. The above CDC graph shows percentages of calories consumed from ultra-processed foods Still, most UPFs on store shelves also contain more saturated fat, sodium, and sugar, all red flag ingredients. Cured and processed meats such as pepperoni and chicken nuggets, canned fruits in syrup, frozen meals, candies and some breads, potato chips, ice cream, and more, are examples of 'red flag' foods. 'Identifying high-risk UPF subgroups is essential to balancing nutritional goals with the need for accessible and appealing food options,' the study said. Nutritionists recommend people swap out red flag foods with UPFs that include beneficial ingredients like whole grains, beans, yogurt, or nuts, as well as fortified cereals, whole-grain breads, or plain yogurts. These have been linked to better heart health compared to UPFs loaded with synthetic additives. Whole grain breads are full of fiber that reduces the risk of colorectal cancer. Beans and nuts serve as the ideal protein-packed snacks, and unsweetened yogurt balances the body's gut microbiome and improves overall gastrointestinal health. Grace Derocha, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics told Real Simple: 'The science recognizes the complexity—UPF is a broad category, and context matters. We should differentiate between 'unhealthy UPFs' and more wholesome packaged items.' Over a dozen countries have officially advised against letting UPFs dominate one's diet. Some, like cities in Brazil have eliminated UPFs from foods served in schools while others, such as Colombia, tax them. The EU, UK, Canada, and several Asian countries have outright banned certain ingredients that were recently prohibited in California. The US has not established a formal definition of UPFs for regulatory purposes. And experts at the AHA worry that establishing one that is overly broad could backfire, leading to the vast majority of foods in grocery stores being slapped with a label that warns they are highly-processed, confusing customers to the point of ignoring the warnings. 'Food policy reform must consider the broader goals of the food system, including nutrition security, safety, and sustainability,' the AHA said. 'Although transformation of the food system is complex, it is achievable.'
