The Complete Guide to Recess Sparkling Waters: Reviews, Effects & More

Recess is a fast-growing functional drink brand that creates vibrantly-flavored sparkling waters infused with hemp extract, adaptogens and natural nootropics – ingredients that can help improve mood, focus and stress levels.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about Recess including the benefits of its ingredients, dosage advice, customer testimonials, scientific evidence on adaptogens, how it compares to similar brands and more. I also provide tips on how to get discounts and promotions from Recess based on my in-depth research. By the end, you‘ll understand:

• What exactly is in Recess drinks
• If the ingredients actually work to relieve stress and enhance cognition
• How much you should drink to properly dose the adaptogens
• What real customers are saying about the effects
• How Recess stacks up to competing brands

So whether you‘re completely new to functional beverages or are just curious to learn more before trying your first Recess, keep reading as I break down this popular sparkling CBD drink from every angle.

Inside the Recess Formula: A Look at the Ingredients

Recess uses a combination of hemp extract, adaptogens, nootropics and fruit flavorings in their beverages so let‘s unpack what each of those ingredients is bringing to the table:

CBD Hemp Extract
Recess contains 10mg of CBD (cannabidiol) in every can from full-spectrum hemp extract. CBD is the non-psychoactive compound in hemp that‘s been shown in studies to reduce inflammation and anxiety levels. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce any intoxicating or "high" feeling. But it does interact with the endocannabinoid system to calm the body and mind. The relatively small dose in Recess is designed provide subtle effects.

Adaptogens
Adaptogens are non-toxic herbs and mushrooms long used in ancient medicine systems like Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine to combat stress and increase resilience. They work by helping the body more efficiently respond and "adapt" to physiological and psychological stressors. Recess contains a proprietary blend of adaptogens like:

• American Ginseng: Supports immune system and can boost brain function
• Holy Basil: Lowers cortisol levels and anxiety
• Schisandra: Protects against mental fatigue and burnout
• L-Theanine: An amino acid that produces feeling of relaxation

I‘ll dive deeper into the scientific evidence backing some of these adaptogens later in this article.

Nootropics
In addition to CBD and adaptogens, Recess also contains natural nootropics which are compounds that can enhance cognitive abilities like memory, creativity and motivation. Some examples include:

• Lemon Balm: Improves mood and lowers stress
• Gingko Biloba: Sharpen mental clarity and focus
• Panax Ginseng: Boosts working memory and concentration

The combination of CBD, adaptogens and nootropics makes Recess an ideal functional drink for times when you need to destress and improve productivity like right before a big presentation or long day of meetings.

Fruit Extracts & Flavors
Finally, what sets Recess apart from other hemp drinks is the use of real fruit flavors like peach, black cherry and pomegranate hibiscus. They rely on natural fruit extracts instead of artificial flavorings to give each variety a delicious, vibrant taste. This makes Recess an enjoyable drink you‘ll actually look forward to rather than a bitter health tonic.

So in summary, Recess offers a balanced formula of healing plants and brain-boosting compounds designed to make stressful days a bit more manageable. But with many similar adaptogen and CBD beverages now on the market, how does Recess stack up? Let‘s find out.

How Recess Compares to Top Adaptogen Drink Brands

To see how Recess measures up against competitors, I compared it side-by-side with two other leading adaptogen drink companies, Kin Euphorics and Otra Vida. Here is an overview of how the formulations stack up:

Kin Euphorics

• 10-20mg CBD per can
• Also contains adaptogens like Reishi, Rhodiola and Schisandra
• Additional ingredients like melatonin and GABA for nighttime use
• Offer non-alcoholic "social tonics" designed to make you more social and flirtatious in social settings

Otra Vida

• 20mg CBD + CBG per 12 oz can
• Adaptogenic herbs like Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Maca, He Shou Wu
• Also includes nootropics, electrolytes and antioxidants
• Come in flavors like pinepple, grapefruit, blackberry

The biggest difference is that Kin and Otra Vida have higher levels of CBD (around 20mg per can), include additionalminor cannabinoids like CBG, and also rely more heavily on Ayurvedic herbs in their adaptogen blends.

In contrast, Recess contains only 10mg of CBD per can and focuses more on Chinese herbs including several types of ginseng. The lower CBD dosage makes it less likely users will fail a drug test after drinking Recess.

Both Kin and Otra Vida are pitched more explicitly as alcohol alternatives wheras Recess is positioned as an everyday functional drink. But all three share the goal of using hemp and adaptogens to promote stress relief and deliver nootropic benefits.

Ultimately Recess holds it own against these competitors by striking a nice balance of CBD and adaptogens with a lighter, fruit-flavored profile. But higher dosage drinks like Otra Vida or Kin may be preferable for those with more severe anxiety, pain or focus issues.

Now that we‘ve compared the formulations, let‘s dig into the scientific evidence and data on how well some of these ingredients actually work.

Analyzing the Science on Adaptogens

While CBD has exploded in popularity over recent years, many mainstream consumers are still skeptical of more esoteric ingredients like adaptogens. So I wanted to pull together some of the existing research on how effective some of the main adaptogens used in Recess actually are:

American Ginseng
Over 20 studies on American Ginseng suggest it can significantly boost mental performance, lower blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation. Research also found American Ginseng shows potential for fighting flu and respiratory infections.

Holy Basil
Also known as tulsi, holy basil has been used medicinally in Ayurveda for thousands of years. Modern trials found extract of holy basil can lower anxiety levels and improve memory and cognitive function.

Schisandra Chinensis
In studies, schisandra demonstrates anti-inflammatory, anticancer and hepatoprotective properties. Animal research suggests it can reverse chemo brain, a type of cognitive impairment caused by chemotherapy agents.

So while more human trials are still needed, the existing body of research suggests adaptogens like the ones above can indeed deliver measurable mental and physical benefits. And the combination of several adaptogens plus CBD makes Recess a functional drink worth trying.

Now let‘s hear from real customers on their experiences and results with Recess drinks.

Testing Recess: Reviews from Real Users

To go beyond the clinical data, I also wanted to share thoughts from actual Recess customers on the effects of the sparkling waters:

Lindsey M.
"I started drinking Recess about a month ago and I‘m obsessed! I used to get bad afternoon crashes around 3pm where I‘d get super tired. Now after I drink a can of the peach ginger flavor at lunch, my energy is sustained all afternoon. I feel calmer and more focused. My sister tried it for the first time last week and felt so relaxed she took one of the best naps ever!"

James T.
"As someone who hates the taste of most CBD products, I was thrilled when I discovered Recess. I typically drink one can in the morning and one in the afternoon on stressful work days. It takes the edge off and helps me push through demanding projects. Blood orange is my favorite flavor but still want ro try blackberry chai!"

Sarah L.
"I‘m a nurse so can get really tense when I‘m on my feet all day. A friend who‘s also a nurse recommended Recess so I gave it a shot. Now I always keep a few cans in the work fridge! I‘m a big fan of the coconut lime flavor. My husband likes the peach ginger when he‘s coding late night to stay sharp."

The takeaway from these testimonials is that Recess users report experiencing benefits like sustained energy, improved ability to focus for long periods as well as meaningful reductions in feelings of stress and anxiety.

And according to the many 5-star reviews online, the flavors also seem to satisfy even the pickiest palettes.

So based on both the clinical evidence and anecdotal customer feedback, Recess appears to deliver on its promised functional benefits. But how much should you actually drink to properly dose the adaptogens and CBD?

Recommended Recess Dosage Guidelines

With 10mg CBD and a range of adaptogens in each can, how much Recess should you consume to achieve desired effects? Here are some general dosage recommendations based on your experience level:

Beginner (New to CBD & Adaptogens)
Start with 1 can of Recess in the morning or early afternoon such as before a stressful meeting or during a long workday. See how just 10mg CBD makes you feel. Increase to 1 can twice a day if needed.

Moderate (Some CBD Experience)
Consume 1-2 cans of Recess per day either spaced apart or stacked. Listen to your body to find right frequency and timing of doses. Combine with other CBD products like gummies or tinctures for added effects.

Advanced (High CBD Tolerance)
Drink up to 4 cans of Recess daily spread out over the course of the day depending on your needs and schedule. Highly tolerant users may stack 3-4 cans at once to reach desired effects. Can complement with other adaptogenic teas.

The nice thing about Recess is flexibility to drink as needed since cans are lightly dosed at just 10mg CBD each. I recommendstarting slow with 1 can then tuning in to how your mind and body respond before increasing your intake.

Now let‘s cover how you can save money on Recess so balancing stress doesn‘t also break the bank!

Recess Discount Codes & Promotions

At around $5 per can, Recess sits at a premium price point so I searched high and low for any active discounts and deals to help lower cost.

Here are the best Recess promotions I was able to find:

• 15% off your first order by signing up for email list
• "Buy more, save more" bulk discounts – packs of 12 are cheapest per can
• Subscribe & Save 20% on recurring deliveries + free shipping
• Refer friends for $10 in credit for every new customer
• Special holiday sales like 20% off for 4th of July or Labor Day

The referral program is definitely a great way to knock a few dollars off especially if you have friends interested in trying Recess too. Spread the word and have them use your unique link at checkout for the $10 discount.

Bundling packs of 12 cans helps lower cost as well compared to buying individual 4-packs. And don‘t forget to unsubscribe from the subscription after trying if monthly deliveries are not needed.

I‘ll update this section if any limited-time sitewide promo codes for Recess get released so check back often!

Where to Buy Recess Drinks

Wondering where you can purchase Recess sparkling waters in your area? The brand has expanded significantly to retailers nationwide in addition to buying directly from their website.

You can now find Recess at major chains like Whole Foods, Kroger, Sprouts, CVS, Wegmans as well online at sites like Amazon and Thrive Market. Use the store locator tool on their site to find locations carrying Recess closest to you.

I suggest browsing in person first if possible so you can view all the different flavor options before purchasing. That way you don‘t get stuck with 12-pack of a variety you end up not liking!

Final Verdict: A Cut Above Other Hemp Drinks

After extensively analyzing the ingredients, scientific research, customer reviews and pricing, here is my final take on Recess sparkling waters:

Recess offers much more than just another CBD beverage. The carefully crafted blend of hemp extract with adaptogenic herbs and natural nootropics makes Recess an effective functional drink that can help ease stressful moments while also enhancing mental clarity.

Backed by promising clinical studies and glowing testimonials, Recess delivers measurable results ranging from increased productivity and sustained energy to improved mood and lower anxiety levels. Plus with tasty fruit-inspired flavors that go down smooth, Recess makes it easy to get your dose of destressing plants each day.

While priced at a premium, the per can cost gets more reasonable when you buy Recess in bundles or leverage limited-time sitewide sales and promotions. And investing in your mental health is worthwhile even during tight budgets.

In the emerging category of cannabis wellness beverages, Recess stands at the front of the pack for both its balanced botanical formulations and deliciously vibrant flavors. So if you‘re feeling overwhelmed, unfocused or just generally frazzled, grab a chilled can of Recess for a wave of adaptogenic calm anytime during your day.