The ingredients that power Thunder Honey

What it is

A culinary and medicinal mushroom with a distinctive white, cascading shape. It is unusual among fungi for containing two families of compounds, hericenones and erinacines, that scientists have studied for their effect on nerve growth factor in the lab.

Why we chose it

Lion's Mane is the most-studied nootropic mushroom and the natural anchor of our mushroom trio. We were drawn to the growing body of human work in older adults, and to the mechanistic NGF research that makes it genuinely interesting to neuroscientists. It is the ingredient people most associate with clear-headed function, so it belongs at a real dose, not a sprinkle.

We use a full 1,000 mg of dual-extracted fruiting body, the part of the mushroom the research uses, not mycelium grown on grain. It anchors the daily mushroom trio in every scoop.

What the research has explored

1. Human RCT

   Mori et al., 2009, Phytotherapy Research. 3 g/day, 16 weeks, 30 older adults. Cognitive-scale scores rose above placebo through the trial and eased back after stopping. PMID 18844328

2. Human RCT

   Li et al., 2020, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. ~1,050 mg/day erinacine-enriched mycelium, 49 weeks, mild Alzheimer's. Improved memory-scale and daily-living scores. PMID 32581767

3. Human RCT

   Nagano et al., 2010, Biomedical Research. ~2 g/day, 4 weeks, 30 women. Explored mood; reported lower scores on irritation and anxiety measures vs placebo. PMID 20834180

4. Mechanistic

   Mori et al., 2008, Biol Pharm Bull. Lab study; Lion's Mane extract stimulated nerve-growth-factor synthesis in human astrocyte cells. PMID 18758067

How we read it: the human trials are real and several are positive, often in older or impaired groups and at varied doses. We describe what they investigated; Lion's Mane has no authorised EU health claim, so we make no cognition or focus claim for the product.

What it is

A prized fungus used in traditional practice for centuries, rich in a compound called cordycepin. It is the mushroom most studied in the context of exercise, oxygen use and physical work capacity.

Why we chose it

We wanted the trio to span the mind and the body, and Cordyceps is the physical-vitality member. The research that drew us in looks at how efficiently the body uses oxygen during effort, and a recent mechanistic line of work tied cordycepin to AMPK, the cell's own energy sensor. It is the active that makes Daylight feel like a morning ritual, not just a desk supplement.

We use a full 1,000 mg of a concentrated dual-extract, the form and quality standard the best research uses, with every milligram declared in the scoop rather than quoted as raw mushroom weight.

What the research has explored

1. Meta-analysis

   Shu et al., 2025, Frontiers in Nutrition. 14 RCTs / 528 athletes. Pooled data explored oxygen uptake and ventilatory threshold; effective doses clustered at 2-3 g/day. PMID 41280379

2. Human RCT

   Chen et al., 2010, J Altern Complement Med. ~1 g/day (closest to our dose), 12 weeks, healthy elderly. Metabolic and ventilatory thresholds rose vs placebo. PMID 20804368

3. Human RCT

   Hirsch et al., 2017, J Dietary Supplements. 4 g/day mushroom blend, up to 3 weeks, 28 adults. Explored high-intensity exercise tolerance; time-to-exhaustion and VO2max measures improved. PMID 27408987

4. Mechanistic

   Hawley et al., 2020, Cell Chemical Biology. Lab study mapping how cordycepin is converted in the cell and activates AMPK, the cellular energy sensor. PMID 31991096

How we read it: the strongest measured effects appear at 2-3 g and well-trained athletes sometimes show no change, so the picture is genuinely mixed. We describe what the research investigated; Cordyceps has no authorised EU health claim, so we make no energy or performance claim for the product.

What it is

A dark, woody fungus that grows on birch trees across the Nordic and boreal forests. It has a long history of traditional use in Northern Europe and Siberia, and in lab measures it is one of the most antioxidant-dense materials in nature, rich in melanin, betulinic acid and polyphenols.

Why we chose it

Chaga is the Nordic heart of the mushroom trio, the one with deep roots in the forests where Thunder Honey was developed. We were honest with ourselves that its modern clinical file is early: the antioxidant and immune work so far is mechanistic and in animals. We include it for its tradition, its provenance, and the promise of the research that is beginning, at a real dose rather than a token pinch.

We use a full 1,000 mg of dual-extract, completing the trio at the same serious gram-level dose as Lion's Mane and Cordyceps. Chosen for tradition and provenance, with the science still emerging.

What the research has explored

1. In vitro

   Park et al., 2004, BioFactors. Human cells in a dish; a Chaga extract reduced oxidative DNA damage to lymphocytes. PMID 15630179

2. Animal

   Wang et al., 2017, PLoS One. Diabetic mice; Chaga polysaccharides restored antioxidant-enzyme markers (SOD, catalase, GSH-Px) vs untreated. PMID 28662169

3. In vitro

   Lee et al., 2007, Bioorg Med Chem Lett. Isolated novel Chaga polyphenols (inonoblins) and characterised their radical-scavenging activity. PMID 17980585

How we read it: there are no published human oral-supplementation trials of Chaga yet, so the evidence is genuinely early, lab and animal work that maps the chemistry rather than human outcomes. We describe it as traditional and antioxidant-rich, and make no human antioxidant or immune claim for the product.

What it is

A hardy flowering root that grows in cold, high-altitude regions including the Scandinavian mountains. It is one of the classic adaptogens, standardised to its active markers rosavins and salidroside, and has been used in Nordic and Russian traditions for stamina under stress.

Why we chose it

Rhodiola is our Nordic botanical, a natural fit for a product developed in Sweden. The research that interested us looks at mental tiredness and performance under real-world pressure, night shifts, exam stress, demanding workloads, rather than in a lab vacuum. It rounds out the formula with a plant that has been trusted in cold climates for generations.

We use 200 mg standardised to rosavins and salidroside, sitting right at the level studied in the trial closest to our dose, a real standardised extract rather than raw powder.

What the research has explored

1. Human RCT

   Darbinyan et al., 2000, Phytomedicine. 170 mg/day (closest to our dose), 56 physicians on night duty. Explored a composite of fatigue and concentration, which improved vs placebo. PMID 11081987

2. Human RCT

   Spasov et al., 2000, Phytomedicine. Low-dose extract, 20 days, 40 students in an exam period. Explored stress-related fatigue and mental performance. PMID 10839209

3. Human trial

   Lekomtseva et al., 2017, Complementary Medicine Research. 400 mg/day, 8 weeks, 100 adults with prolonged fatigue. Explored fatigue, attention and quality-of-life measures. PMID 28219059

4. Review

   Ishaque et al., 2012, BMC Complement Altern Med. Systematic review; noted the trials are promising but small and call for higher-quality studies. PMID 22643043

How we read it: several human trials point the same way, while reviewers rightly call the body of work small and ask for larger studies. We describe what the trials explored; Rhodiola has no authorised EU health claim, so we make no stress, fatigue or cortisol claim for the product.

What it is

A modern, highly bioavailable form of vitamin B3 (niacin) and a direct precursor to NAD+, a coenzyme every cell uses in metabolism and DNA-repair signalling. It is the most rigorously studied active in the whole formula.

Why we chose it

NR is the scientific cornerstone of Daylight. We chose it as our B3 because it is the one active where the human data is clean, dose-controlled and measured directly: a double-blind trial raised blood NAD+ in a clear, dose-dependent way at exactly the amount we use. As a recognised form of niacin, it also gives us the one place on this page where we can state a real, authorised benefit, the right way.

We use 300 mg of NR, the exact dose measured in the landmark human trial. At this level the niacin content clears the EU threshold for the authorised niacin (vitamin B3) claims: niacin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue (with niacin declared on the label).

What the research has explored

1. Human RCT

   Conze, Brenner & Kruger, 2019, Scientific Reports. 140 adults, 8 weeks, double-blind. Measured a dose-dependent NAD+ rise: +22% at 100 mg, +51% at our 300 mg, +142% at 1,000 mg. PMID 31278280

2. Human RCT

   Trammell et al., 2016, Nature Communications. Single doses 100/300/1,000 mg. Established oral bioavailability and a dose-dependent NAD+ rise in people. PMID 27721479

3. Human RCT

   Elhassan et al., 2019, Cell Reports. 1,000 mg/day, 21 days, aged men. Augmented the muscle NAD+ metabolome and shifted inflammatory markers. PMID 31412242

4. Human trial

   Airhart et al., 2017, PLoS One. Escalating doses; confirmed oral NR raises whole-blood NAD+ in healthy adults. PMID 29211728

How we read it: the NAD+ rise is a measured human result at our exact dose. Whether higher NAD+ then changes how you feel or age is not settled in people, so we report the measurement as research and route the product benefit through the authorised niacin wording, never through "NAD+", "cellular energy" or "longevity", which are not authorised EU claims.

What it is

A naturally occurring compound and a source of choline, which the body uses to make acetylcholine, a key signalling molecule, and to build cell membranes. It is one of the better-studied nootropic nutrients, often sold as the branded form Cognizin.

Why we chose it

CDP-Choline is our precision nutrient, the one we could dose exactly to the level researchers have studied. We liked that the attention research uses our 250 mg amount, not a guessed-at fraction, and that it is a well-characterised compound rather than a botanical with an uncertain extract.

We use 250 mg, the exact dose used in the human attention trial, declared in full on the label, no proprietary blend hiding a smaller amount.

What the research has explored

1. Human RCT

   McGlade et al., 2012, Food and Nutrition Sciences. 250 mg/day (our dose), 28 days, 60 healthy women. Explored sustained attention; the 250 mg group made fewer errors than placebo. DOI 10.4236/fns.2012.36103 (not PubMed-indexed)

2. Human RCT

   McGlade et al., 2019, J Attention Disorders. 250-500 mg/day, 28 days, 75 healthy adolescent males. Explored attention and psychomotor speed. PMID 26179181

3. Human RCT

   Spiers et al., 1996, Archives of Neurology. CDP-Choline alone, 3 months, older adults. Explored verbal and logical memory recall. PMID 8624220

4. Human RCT

   Nakazaki et al., 2021, The Journal of Nutrition. 500 mg/day, 12 weeks, 100 older adults. Explored episodic and composite memory. PMID 33978188

How we read it: the attention work sits right at our 250 mg dose, while the memory studies use a higher 500 mg. We describe what each trial explored; CDP-Choline has no authorised EU health claim, so we make no attention or memory claim for the product.

What it is

An amino acid found almost uniquely in tea leaves, long associated with the smooth, settled quality of a good cup of green tea. It is studied for its link to alpha brain-wave activity, the EEG pattern seen in relaxed, alert states.

Why we chose it

L-theanine is the calm in "calm, clear mornings." Because Daylight is made without added caffeine, we were careful to choose an active whose own research, not just its famous caffeine pairing, stands on its own. The trial that convinced us used exactly our 200 mg, on its own, and looked at stress and steadiness. It is the counterweight that keeps the ritual settled rather than wired.

We use 200 mg of pure L-theanine, the exact dose from the human trial, the amount a recent review highlights for stress-related outcomes.

What the research has explored

1. Human RCT

   Hidese et al., 2019, Nutrients. 200 mg/day (our dose), 4 weeks, no caffeine, 30 adults. Explored stress, sleep and executive-function measures. PMID 31623400

2. Human RCT

   Kimura et al., 2007, Biological Psychology. 200 mg, acute. Explored physiological stress responses (heart rate, salivary markers) during a task. PMID 16930802

3. Review

   Williams et al., 2020, Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. Review of 9 RCTs of pure L-theanine; highlighted the 200-400 mg/day range for stress-related outcomes. PMID 31758301

4. Human crossover

   Higashiyama et al., 2011, J Functional Foods. 200 mg, 18 adults. Explored attention and EEG alpha activity. DOI 10.1016/j.jff.2011.03.009

How we read it: we deliberately lean on the theanine-alone research rather than the many caffeine-combination studies, since we contain no added caffeine. We describe what the trials explored; L-theanine has no authorised EU health claim, so we make no calm or focus claim for the product.

What it is

The body's most abundant structural protein, broken down into small, readily absorbed hydrolysed peptides. We use Peptan B, a well-characterised bovine source studied in dozens of human trials, mostly around skin and joints.

Why we chose it

Collagen is the body-care thread running through the formula, and one of the most-studied ingredients in the whole supplement world. We chose a recognised, trial-grade peptide and dosed it into the range the skin research actually uses, rather than adding a token amount for the label. It also gives the drink a smoother, fuller body.

We use a substantial 3,000 mg of hydrolysed peptides, sitting inside the 2.5-5 g range used across the skin-elasticity trials, a meaningful daily amount, not a sprinkle.

What the research has explored

1. Human RCT

   Proksch et al., 2014, Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2.5-5 g/day, 8 weeks, 69 women. Explored skin elasticity, which improved at both doses vs placebo. PMID 23949208

2. Human RCT

   Proksch et al., 2014, Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2.5 g/day, 8 weeks, 114 women. Explored eye-wrinkle depth and dermal-matrix markers. PMID 24401291

3. Human RCT

   Kim et al., 2018, Nutrients. 1 g/day, 12 weeks, 64 adults. Explored skin hydration, elasticity and wrinkling. PMID 29949889

4. Human RCT

   Zdzieblik et al., 2017, Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 5 g/day, 12 weeks, 139 athletes. Explored activity-related knee-joint discomfort. PMID 28177710

How we read it: the skin research is extensive and our dose is in range, though many trials are industry-funded, so we hold it with appropriate care. We describe what the trials explored; collagen has no authorised EU health claim, so we make no skin or joint claim for the product.

What it is

A clean fat made of medium-length fatty acids, typically drawn from coconut. The body handles MCTs differently from longer fats, and at high doses researchers have studied them as a source of ketones.

Why we chose it

MCT is a quiet but deliberate formulation choice. Several of our actives, including the cacao polyphenols and fat-soluble compounds, are carried better alongside a little clean fat, and MCT gives the drink its smooth, creamy body. We are upfront that our amount is a culinary, carrier role, the ketone research uses far larger doses, so we include it for texture and absorption, honestly described.

We use 1,000 mg of MCT as a clean-fat carrier, a deliberate, functional amount that helps the drink feel rich and helps carry the fat-soluble actives. We are clear it is not a ketogenic dose.

What the research has explored

1. Meta-analysis

   Avgerinos et al., 2019, Ageing Research Reviews. Pooled human MCT trials, most at ~20 g/day. Explored blood ketones and cognition at those much higher doses. PMID 31870908

2. Human RCT

   Fortier et al., 2019, Alzheimer's & Dementia. 30 g/day, 6 months. Explored brain ketone uptake and cognition (at ~30x our amount). PMID 31027873

3. Human RCT

   St-Onge et al., 2003, Obesity Research. Dietary-scale MCT (tens of grams). Explored energy expenditure vs longer-chain fats. PMID 12634436

How we read it: every ketone and cognition effect in the literature uses 14-60 g, far above our 1 g, so we deliberately do not borrow that story. We describe MCT accurately as a clean-fat carrier and texture ingredient, and make no brain-fuel, ketone or energy claim for the product.

What it is

The resin honeybees gather and use to seal and protect the hive, naturally rich in flavonoids and polyphenols. It has a long traditional history and is studied today for its antioxidant chemistry.

Why we chose it

Propolis is the soul of the brand in the cup. Thunder Honey is named for the bee, and 1% of every order goes to protecting pollinators, so a genuine bee ingredient belongs in the formula. We include it as a meaningful, signature touch rather than a clinical lever, and we are open that our amount is the storytelling dose, not the doses used in the anti-inflammatory research.

We include 50 mg of flavonoid-rich propolis as a signature nod to the honey in our name and our pollinator mission. A deliberate, characterful inclusion, not a clinical dose.

What the research has explored

1. Meta-analysis

   Gholami et al., 2024, J Health Popul Nutr. 17 RCTs, doses ~227-1,500 mg/day. Explored inflammatory markers; effects concentrated above ~830 mg/day. PMID 39127756

2. Meta-analysis

   Bahari et al., 2025, Frontiers in Nutrition. 27 RCTs, doses commonly 400-1,500 mg/day. Explored CRP and other inflammatory markers. PMID 40421039

3. Human RCT

   Afsharpour et al., 2019, Complement Ther Med. 1,500 mg/day, 8 weeks. Explored glycaemic and antioxidant markers (at ~30x our amount). PMID 30935545

How we read it: the human research uses roughly 400-1,500 mg, far above our signature 50 mg, so we do not borrow its conclusions. We describe propolis as a traditional, flavonoid-rich bee ingredient and make no immune or anti-inflammatory claim for the product.

What it is

The bean behind chocolate, naturally rich in polyphenols and cocoa flavanols and carrying a gentle, naturally low dose of theobromine, a milder cousin of caffeine. The flavanol fraction is the part with the most research behind it.

Why we chose it

Cacao is the heart and the home of Daylight, the reason the ritual tastes like a homemade hot cocoa rather than a powder you tolerate. It is also the base that carries every other active. We chose a real, polyphenol-rich cacao for its character and its gentle, no-added-caffeine lift, and we are precise that its job here is flavour and base, not a clinical flavanol dose.

We use 4,000 mg of polyphenol-rich cacao as the flavour foundation and carrier of the whole formula, with a gentle, naturally low theobromine lift, milder than coffee.

What the research has explored

1. Human RCT

   Brickman et al., 2014, Nature Neuroscience. 900 mg purified flavanols, 12 weeks. Explored memory and brain blood flow at that high flavanol dose. PMID 25344629

2. Human RCT

   Mastroiacovo et al., 2015, Am J Clin Nutr. 48 / 520 / 993 mg flavanols, elderly. Explored cognition; benefit appeared at the higher flavanol doses. DOI 10.3945/ajcn.114.092189

3. Human RCT

   Sorond et al., 2008, Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. Flavanol-rich cocoa, elderly. Explored cerebral blood-flow velocity. PMID 18728792

4. Reference

   Miller et al., 2008, J Agric Food Chem. Measured the flavanol content of cocoa powders (~35 mg/g for natural cocoa). PMID 18710243

How we read it: the flavanol trials use 500-900 mg of purified flavanols, while our cacao delivers a smaller amount as a natural food. We describe what the research explored, and we use cacao as the flavour of the ritual, so we make no flavanol claim for the product.