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Valerian, passionflower, chamomile and lavender look like one cosy committee on a label. Here is what each one's research covers, and where the cautions sit.

Sleep

Oct 12, 2026

10 min read

5-HTP for sleep: what it is, what the research covers and what to check first

5-HTP shows up on some sleep labels. What the small human studies cover, and the interaction and safety points worth reading first.

Gaming, focus and energy

Oct 12, 202611 min read

Nootropics: what belongs in the category?

"Nootropic" covers caffeine, supplements and prescription drugs. Where the word came from, what healthy-adult research shows, Dutch rules and safety basics.

Gaming, focus and energy

Oct 12, 202612 min read

Gaming Supplements vs Energy Drinks vs Coffee: What Each One Actually Gives You

Coffee, energy drinks, caffeine pills and a gaming tablet compared by caffeine per portion, sugar, sleep and what small gaming trials show.

Gaming, focus and energy

Oct 12, 202610 min read

Caffeine and L-theanine: what is the pairing about?

What trials of caffeine with L-theanine measured, how much may be down to caffeine, one small esports trial, EFSA caffeine figures and label arithmetic.

Functional mushrooms and adaptogens

Oct 12, 202611 min read

Shilajit: resin, labels and the research

A tub of tar with a pedigree: what shilajit is, what small trials measured, what labs found in samples and which label questions help (8 October 2026).

Functional mushrooms and adaptogens

Oct 12, 202611 min read

Reishi and sleep: what the research shows

Reishi's calming reputation versus the evidence: the only human sleep outcome is a company-funded five-mushroom blend. Labels and safety cautions.

Functional mushrooms and adaptogens

Oct 12, 20269 min read

Chaga: what is in the extract?

Chaga looks like charcoal on a birch. What's inside it, how little has been tested in people, and the oxalate kidney case reports worth knowing first.

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