LIMINATE · Guide to nootropics
Nootropics and coffee: can you combine them?
Most healthy adults can combine a caffeinated nootropic with coffee, as long as total caffeine from all sources stays within EFSA's reference values: up to 200 mg in a single dose and 400 mg over a day (200 mg a day during pregnancy). LUCID by LIMINATE contains 70 mg of caffeine per serving, slightly less than the 80 mg EFSA gives for a 60 ml espresso.
By Andreas C., founder of LIMINATE · 1 November 2026 · 6 min read
The reference values: what EFSA says
In 2015 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published its scientific opinion on the safety of caffeine. It remains the reference used across the EU. The values apply to caffeine from all sources combined: coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, chocolate and food supplements.
| Group | EFSA reference value |
|---|---|
| Healthy adults, single dose | Up to 200 mg does not raise safety concerns |
| Healthy adults, per day | Up to 400 mg does not raise safety concerns |
| Pregnant women | Up to 200 mg per day, spread over the day |
| Breastfeeding women | Up to 200 mg per day considered safe for the breastfed infant |
| Children and adolescents | About 3 mg per kg of body weight per day |
| Sleep | About 100 mg close to bedtime may affect sleep in some adults |
These are reference values for the general population, not personal recommendations. Sensitivity to caffeine varies widely from one person to another.
How much caffeine is in what you already drink
EFSA gives approximate values for common products. Actual content varies with the bean, the preparation and the portion.
| Product | Approx. caffeine |
|---|---|
| LUCID, one serving (3 capsules) | 70 mg (declared) |
| Espresso (60 ml) | 80 mg |
| Filter coffee (200 ml) | 90 mg |
| Energy drink (250 ml can) | 80 mg |
| Black tea (220 ml) | 50 mg |
| Cola (355 ml can) | 40 mg |
| Plain chocolate (50 g bar) | 25 mg |
| Milk chocolate (50 g bar) | 10 mg |
The difference between a supplement and a cup of coffee is precision. LUCID uses anhydrous caffeine, a measured quantity declared on the label, whereas the caffeine in a cup depends on how it was brewed. More on that ingredient on our anhydrous caffeine page.
Adding it up: three typical mornings
| Day | Caffeine | Against EFSA values |
|---|---|---|
| LUCID + 1 espresso at breakfast | 70 + 80 = 150 mg at once | Below 200 mg single dose |
| LUCID + 2 filter coffees + 1 black tea over the day | 70 + 180 + 50 = 300 mg | Below 400 mg per day |
| LUCID + 2 espressos at once + 3 filter coffees later | 70 + 160 + 270 = 500 mg | Single intake of 230 mg and daily total above 400 mg: too much |
The rule is simple: count LUCID as roughly one espresso, then count everything else you drink.
Practical guidance
- Morning only. LUCID is designed to be taken in the morning, before noon. Do not take it in the afternoon or evening.
- Space your coffee. If you drink an espresso with breakfast, you remain below 200 mg with LUCID. Avoid stacking several coffees at the same moment.
- Watch hidden sources. Energy drinks, cola, pre-workout products and some painkillers also contain caffeine.
- Know your sensitivity. If you know you are sensitive to caffeine, drink less coffee rather than doubling up.
- Never double the dose. One serving of three capsules per day, weekdays only. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
- Skip it when caffeine is not for you. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, under 18, cardiovascular disease, hypertension or hyperthyroidism: LUCID is not suitable. See who should avoid nootropics.
Why LUCID contains 70 mg, paired with L-theanine
LIMINATE chose a measured 70 mg, the order of a short espresso, so that LUCID fits into a morning that may already include coffee. It is paired with 255 mg of L-theanine, an amino acid found naturally in tea leaves, a ratio of about 1:3.6. We describe the pairing in our Journal article caffeine and L-theanine, 70 mg and 255 mg. No health claim is authorised in the EU for caffeine, so we describe the dose and leave it there.
Under Regulation (EU) 1169/2011, any food supplement with caffeine added for a physiological purpose must state "Contains caffeine. Not recommended for children or pregnant women" and give the caffeine content per daily portion. This applies to every caffeinated supplement sold in the EU, LUCID included.
See LUCID: 20 sachets, four weeks of weekday mornings, €100 as a Single Edition, without subscription, or €80 every four weeks with The Commitment subscription, which you can cancel at any time, in one click, at no cost.
FAQ
Can I drink coffee with LUCID?
For a healthy adult, yes, within limits. LUCID adds 70 mg of caffeine. Keep any single intake under 200 mg and your daily total under 400 mg, according to EFSA.
How many coffees can I drink on a LUCID day?
Using EFSA's approximate values, LUCID plus three filter coffees (70 + 270 mg) is 340 mg. That leaves little room for tea, cola or energy drinks. If you are sensitive to caffeine, aim lower.
Is 70 mg of caffeine a lot?
It is slightly less than EFSA's value for a 60 ml espresso (80 mg) and less than a 200 ml filter coffee (90 mg).
Can I take LUCID in the afternoon instead of coffee?
No. LUCID is intended for the morning, before noon. EFSA notes that around 100 mg of caffeine close to bedtime may affect sleep in some adults.
Is decaffeinated coffee a problem?
Decaffeinated coffee contains very little caffeine, so it barely changes your daily total.
What if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
LUCID is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding. EFSA's reference value for pregnant women is 200 mg of caffeine per day from all sources.
Sources
- EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine. EFSA Journal 2015;13(5):4102. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4102
- EFSA, topic page "Caffeine" (values per product). efsa.europa.eu
- Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 on food information to consumers, Annex III, point 4. EUR-Lex
- European Parliament resolution of 7 July 2016 objecting to the draft regulation on caffeine health claims. europarl.europa.eu
LUCID is a food supplement. It does not replace a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Keep out of reach of young children. Contains caffeine (70 mg per daily portion); not recommended for children or for pregnant or breastfeeding women. This page is informative and does not replace medical advice.
