Feeling frazzled has become the default setting for millions.
Whether it’s the endless ping of notifications, a packed work diary, or just the low hum of daily life, stress creeps in more easily than it used to. It’s little wonder, then, that anti-anxiety snacks and drinks are quietly taking over the wellness aisle.
These aren’t the sugary fixes of old, but functional products built around calming ingredients that promise more than just a quick hit of comfort.
The buzzword here is adaptogens - a group of herbs and mushrooms that help the body respond more evenly to stress.
Ashwagandha, one of the most researched, has been shown to support cortisol regulation and promote a steadier mood. Reishi and lion’s mane mushrooms bring their own benefits, from relaxation to improved focus, while maca offers a natural lift without the caffeine crash.
Combine these with well-known calming nutrients like magnesium, chamomile and l-theanine, and you’ve got the backbone of this new wave of snacks and drinks.
That doesn’t mean you should expect miracles in a single sip or bite. Dosage matters, and many products are best thought of as gentle daily support rather than an instant fix. The most effective options tend to balance functional ingredients with genuinely enjoyable flavours, because there’s no point in forcing down something you don’t actually like.
So how do you choose? Look for transparency on ingredients, pay attention to sugar content and think about when you’ll use it.
A sparkling CBD drink might slot into your evening routine, while an adaptogenic granola is more useful at breakfast. The real value lies in creating small rituals that work for you - moments where stress takes a back seat and calm feels just that bit more accessible.
We've rounded up all of the best anti-anxiety drinks and snacks below.
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London Nootropics Zen Coffee
Love your morning coffee but hate the jitters? This blend has you covered.
London Nootropics Zen Coffee is made with premium ground coffee plus adaptogens like ashwagandha and reishi mushroom, which smooth out caffeine’s rough edges and support a calmer mood.
The result is a cup that still perks you up but leaves you feeling balanced rather than overstimulated. It’s earthy, aromatic and dissolves easily, so you can prepare it like your usual brew.
If anxiety sometimes makes your morning latte a gamble, Zen Coffee is a way to keep the ritual without the rollercoaster.
Buy now £13.50, Amazon
Trip New Variety Pack
You’ve probably seen Trip cans in cafés and corner shops already. They’re sparkling CBD drinks that come in flavours like Elderflower & Mint or Peach & Ginger, all designed with relaxation in mind.
The CBD here is broad-spectrum and combined with botanicals such as chamomile and ginseng. They don’t taste medicinal - more like lightly sparkling fruit sodas - and they slot neatly into social occasions when you don’t feel like drinking alcohol.
It’s not a miracle cure for anxiety, but rather, an accessible way of testing how CBD might fit into your wind-down routine.
Buy now £26.40, Trip
Press Healthfoods Cacao, Oat & Raspberry Shroombars
If you’re prone to stress-snacking, swap your usual biscuit for one of these functional bars.
Press Healthfoods have packed oats, cacao and raspberries into a satisfying bite that’s boosted with adaptogenic mushrooms like reishi and lion’s mane. That means you’re not just curbing cravings but giving your nervous system a little TLC at the same time.
The texture is chewy, the flavour is rich and fruity, and each bar is portioned perfectly for mid-morning or late-afternoon dips.
Buy now £24.00, Amazon
Adapt Drinks RELAX English Elderflower & Pomegranate Drinks
When you need to take the edge off without reaching for a glass of wine, this sparkling drink is your best friend.
Blending elderflower and pomegranate with stress-soothing reishi mushroom, passionflower, ashwagandha and magnesium, it’s designed to ease tension and help you switch off. Lightly fizzy, subtly floral and low in calories, it feels indulgent without being heavy.
Keep a few cans chilled in the fridge for evenings when you want to properly unwind or swap it in for your usual tipple.
Buy now £32.99, Adapt Drinks
M&S PM Cold Pressed Shot
This tiny bottle punches well above its weight. Designed as an evening counterpart to your usual morning ginger shot, it blends cherry, chamomile, apple and lemon balm - all ingredients with naturally calming properties.
It’s sharp, refreshing and a clever way to start winding down at the end of a hectic day. At just 150ml, it’s an easy habit to build into your evening routine without feeling like a supplement.
If you’re the kind of person who struggles to switch off, this is a supermarket find that genuinely earns its spot on your bedside table.
Buy now £1.70, Ocado
Rollagranola Calm: Cashew, Mango & Chocolate Chunk Oat Granola
Granola isn’t always the calmest start to the day, but this one makes a solid case for it. Cashews bring magnesium, mango adds natural sweetness and dark chocolate chunks make it feel indulgent. More interestingly, it’s boosted with ashwagandha - an adaptogen often linked to stress reduction.
The mix is crunchy, lightly fruity and works just as well by the handful as it does with yoghurt or milk. If breakfast tends to set the tone for your day, this is a thoughtful way to build in something steadying without making it a big deal.
Buy now £7.49, Amazon
AUM ALCHEMY Soul: Adaptogenic Peanut Butter with Turmeric Root
This is peanut butter with an unexpected twist. Alongside the creamy roasted peanuts you get turmeric root, reishi and maca, turning a simple spread into something more functional.
The flavour is nutty with a gentle earthiness, and while it won’t mask anxiety in one spoonful, it’s an easy way to weave adaptogens into your routine. Spread it on toast, stir it through porridge or eat it straight from the jar when the day feels heavier than it should.
It’s familiar comfort food with a bit more depth behind it.
Buy now £12.00, Delli
Bristol Fungarium Lion's Mane Chocolate Bar
Chocolate has long been a go-to comfort, but this bar takes it a step further. It’s blended with lion’s mane mushroom, often linked to focus and emotional balance. The taste is smooth and dark without being bitter, and the mushroom element doesn’t overpower.
Instead, it sits quietly in the background, adding a functional edge to an everyday treat. If you like the idea of functional food but don’t fancy powders or pills, this is a straightforward way to try it.
A square or two with a cup of tea feels like a simple, soothing ritual.
Buy now £5.36, Healf
GSpot Soothe
Formulated with women’s health in mind, Sooth combines ingredients like ashwagandha, magnesium and chamomile to help your body deal with stress. The idea is to support hormone balance as well as mood, making it a bit broader than your average calming supplement.
The capsules are easy to take and can be slotted into your daily routine without fuss. While it’s not an instant fix, the appeal here is building a foundation for steadier energy and calmer days over time.
It’s best for those who prefer a consistent supplement approach rather than an on-the-spot snack.
Buy now £29.95, GSpot
Unai UNWIND Lemon & Lavender
If you’re someone who associates lavender with calm, this drink makes sense straight away.
Unai’s UNWIND is a gently sparkling blend of lemon and lavender with added l-theanine and magnesium. It’s crisp, floral and designed to nudge your nervous system into a softer gear. The cans feel more refined than a typical soft drink, so they work for an evening wind-down or even alongside dinner. It won’t knock you out, but it’s a subtle cue for your body and brain to slow down.
A modern alternative to a herbal tea ritual.
Buy now £29.95, Unai
Verdict
If you love coffee but hate the jitters, this blend by London Nootropics nails the balance. Combining quality beans with reishi and ashwagandha, it smooths out caffeine’s sharp edges while keeping the ritual intact. It’s functional, flavourful and easy to make part of your everyday routine.
