“To sleep or not to sleep?” is a question humanity has been asking itself ever since the dawn of time. With a pandemic and what is yet to come from 2020, sleep is something everyone needs. 

     To further enhance sleep quality and experience, say hello to PepsiCo’s new product, Driftwell. The blackberry and lavender flavored beverage aim to “sip into relaxation” with its new de-stressing and relaxation properties.

     Driftwell is a 7.5 oz water-based beverage containing 0 carbon, 0 sugar, 0 calories, 10% of the daily value of magnesium, and 200mg of L-Theanine. L-what now? 

     L-Theanine is an amino acid that is most commonly found in Bay Bolete mushrooms and tea leaves. The amino acid promotes a handful of benefits ranging from anxiety and stress relief to cancer and tumor treatment. Healthline addresses a 2011 study that suggests that L-Theanine in Bay Bolete mushrooms can boost the efficiency of several chemotherapeutic drugs. 

     A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association reported that American adults were averaging 6.7 hours of sleep a night, which is less than the minimum recommended amount. 

     From this study, 43 percent of these adults reported the past month to be staying up at night due to stress. Furthermore, 42 percent of teenagers have reported an increase in stress from falling below the minimum hours of rest. 

   She added, “Have a sleeping space that is clean and clear of distractions. Try to sleep in as dark a room as possible. If you live somewhere noisy, use earplugs or a white-noise app on your phone. If your mind feels anxious, try practicing calming rituals before bed, such as meditation and prayer. Some people enjoy listening to ‘sleep stories’ to help calm themselves as well, and there are many free options available online. I highly recommend trying such behavioral modifications before trying supplements or prescription solutions.”

      Driftwell is set to hit the online markets around December.