Trip vs Hiyo vs Recess vs On the Brightside | Calming Drink Comparison

LOOING FOR A TRIP, HIYO, OR RECESS ALTERNATIVE? MEET ON THE BRIGHTSIDE.

Different approaches. Very different results.

SHOP ON THE BRIGHTSIDE

Three green On the Brightside Guava Glow cans with guava slices on a pink background

Why People Are Comparing These Drinks

People searching "Trip vs Hiyo" or looking for alternatives to any of these brands are usually after the same thing: a way to feel calmer, more present, and more at ease — without alcohol, without sugar, and without paying for it the next day. But the drinks get there very differently.

Trip leans on magnesium and a range of botanicals including elderflower, lemon balm, chamomile, and ginseng. Magnesium is well-regarded as a wind-down ingredient — it's slower and more gradual, and most people don't notice a conscious shift from a single can. It also uses stevia and sugar depending on the flavor.
Hiyo stacks several adaptogens — ashwagandha, lion's mane, L-theanine, cordyceps — along with a small amount of added sugar. The challenge with stacking adaptogens is that most of them require weeks of consistent daily use before anything accumulates. You're not drinking a Hiyo and feeling calmer that afternoon.
Recess Mood leads with L-theanine and a mix of adaptogens. L-theanine is a solid background ingredient — good for focus and mild calm — but it works quietly. Most people can't point to a moment where they felt it kick in
On the Brightside takes the opposite approach: one ingredient, backed by science. Zembrin® is an extract of kanna, a plant the Khoi-San people of South Africa have turned to for centuries for calm, mental clarity, and social ease. Zero sugar. Zero calories. Nothing to guess about.

One Ingredient, Not a Stack

While other brands build "social tonics" out of six or more botanicals — hoping something in the mix does something — On the Brightside is built around one: Zembrin®, a science-backed extract of kanna with centuries of traditional use in South Africa.

Instead of a proprietary blend where no single ingredient is dosed high enough to matter, every can of On the Brightside contains 15mg of Zembrin® — with nothing hidden and nothing to guess about.

SHOP ON THE BRIGHTSIDE

How They Compare

	On the Brightside	Trip	Hiyo	Recess Mood
Core ingredient(s)	Zembrin® (kanna extract)	Magnesium + botanical blend	Ashwagandha, lion's mane, L-theanine, cordyceps	Magnesium blend, L-theanine, lemon balm
Approach	One science-backed ingredient	Magnesium-based, multi-botanical blend	Multi-adaptogen stack	Magnesium + adaptogen blend
Effect type	Active, noticeable	Subtle — magnesium is an end of day, wind-down ingredient most people don't consciously feel	Cumulative — ashwagandha takes weeks of daily use before most people notice anything	Subtle — magnesium and L-theanine work in the background; most people don't consciously feel them
Calories	0	25-35	30	20-25
Total sugar	0g	Up to 7g	5g	Up to 5g
Sweetener	OnoSweet® (fermentation-derived, zero glycemic impact)	Stevia + fruit juice concentrate	Organic cane sugar + erythritol	Monk fruit + fruit juice concentrate
CBD / THC	None	None	None	None

Formulations and pricing can change.

FAQs

Is On the Brightside like Trip?

Sort of, but the approach is different. Trip is built around magnesium — a mineral often used as a wind-down or sleep-support ingredient — blended with botanicals like chamomile, lemon balm, and elderflower. On the Brightside doesn't contain magnesium. It's built around Zembrin®, a single science-backed kanna extract. Both aim for calm without alcohol, but the ingredients, the mechanisms, and the experience are different.

Is On the Brightside like Hiyo?

In spirit, yes — both are non-alcoholic drinks designed for social moments and everyday relaxation. The difference is in the formula. Hiyo stacks several adaptogens including ashwagandha, lion's mane, L-theanine, and cordyceps, along with a small amount of added sugar. The catch with most adaptogens is that they're cumulative — you need weeks of daily use before anything builds up. On the Brightside uses one science-backed ingredient at a meaningful dose, with zero sugar and zero calories.

Is On the Brightside like Recess Mood?

The category goal is similar — calm and clarity without alcohol — but the formula is different. Recess Mood uses L-theanine and a blend of adaptogens, which tend to work subtly in the background rather than delivering a noticeable shift. On the Brightside uses one ingredient — Zembrin® — at a real, studied dose. One thing in the can, not a stack of things at doses too small to matter.

Does On the Brightside have CBD or THC?

No. Zero CBD, zero THC. The only functional ingredient is Zembrin®, a kanna extract — no cannabinoids involved.

Does On the Brightside have sugar or calories?

No. Zero sugar, zero calories, every flavor. It's sweetened with OnoSweet®, a fermentation-derived, zero-glycemic sweetener — not stevia, not a sugar alcohol, no bitter aftertaste.

Why does On the Brightside only use one functional ingredient instead of a blend?

Because a blend of six or eight ingredients often means none of them are dosed high enough to actually do much. When brands stack ashwagandha, lion's mane, L-theanine, and cordyceps together, they're betting that something in the mix works — but nothing is studied in combination and nothing is at a dose that's been shown to matter on its own. Zembrin® is used at 15mg per can so there's nothing to guess about and nothing to hide behind.

Is it available where Trip, Hiyo, and Recess Mood are sold?

On the Brightside is available direct-to-consumer in the US at drinkbrightside.com, and in select stores.

Can I drink it every day?

On the Brightside is caffeine-free and non-sedating, so many people do reach for it as a daily ritual — the same way people incorporate Trip or Hiyo into their routines. As always, check with a doctor if you're pregnant, nursing, or on medication.

THE TASTE IS CATCHING ON