Founder of Akari Wellness on Dubai’s First Brain Bar

Katia, you are the first in Dubai to launch the Brain Bar. How did you come up with the idea?

The Brain Bar is deeply personal to me, it’s rooted in habits I began cultivating nearly a decade ago. Long before it became part of a wider wellness conversation, I was incorporating adaptogen-infused drinks into my daily ritual: mushroom coffees with lion’s mane, ashwagandha, and other botanicals designed to support cognitive clarity and focus. The impact was subtle yet profound, and over time, it became something I truly relied on.

When I started shaping the concept for Akari Wellness, everything was anchored in mitochondrial health—the idea that true vitality begins at a cellular level. When you optimise sleep, regulate inflammation, and strengthen immunity, cognitive performance naturally follows. The Brain Bar felt like a seamless extension of that philosophy, an intentional space where nourishment for the mind could sit alongside the broader wellness journey.

What fascinates me most about adaptogens is their intelligence. They meet the body where it is. On days when you’re depleted, overstretched, and running on very little, something like lion’s mane can help restore a sense of clarity and focus. Equally, on days when you’re already feeling balanced, it enhances that state rather than overstimulating it. There’s a quiet, adaptive power in that.

Ultimately, the Brain Bar was created from a simple belief that we all need support when it comes to mental clarity and resilience. I wanted to offer that support in a way that feels natural, elevated, and seamlessly integrated into everyday life.

What do you serve at the Brain Bar?

All of our beverages are infused with adaptogens. Most drinks feature lion’s mane, known for its association with cognitive health and supporting the brain’s ability to form new neural connections.

We also offer blends incorporating ashwagandha, ginseng, and reishi, each selected for their functional benefits. A lot of care has gone into refining the recipes to strike that perfect balance between wellness and indulgence so they feel as enjoyable as they are beneficial.

We use exclusively house-made macadamia milk across the menu. When working with more acidic bases like coffee or matcha, it’s important to balance them with healthy fats. Many commercially available plant-based milks contain additives and preservatives, so it was essential to me that ours be made in-house, using only natural ingredients.

Alongside our coffees, we offer a turmeric latte and a beetroot latte, which is one of our bestsellers thanks to its rich antioxidant profile.

Are adaptogens suitable for everyone?

Absolutely. The dosage is very mild, and adaptogens are not a common allergen. They are known for supporting the body’s response to stress, fatigue and mental load. Nuts are more of an allergen, so we always inform everyone at the bar that we serve our drinks with macadamia milk. As an option, we can offer coconut milk.

Tell us about the concept of Akari Wellness as a whole. Why do you call it science-led wellness?

Our approach at Akari is rooted in mitochondrial health. We offer a curated range of therapies including red light therapy, oxygen therapy (IHHT), compression therapy, and the Brain Bar all designed to support the body at a cellular level.

When mitochondria are not functioning optimally, it can manifest in a range of ways from increased inflammation and fatigue to poor sleep and reduced immunity. By working at the cellular level, we aim to optimise metabolism and enhance the body’s overall performance. When you support what’s happening internally, the external benefits naturally follow including healthier skin, stronger hair, and a more vibrant sense of wellbeing.

Our clientele is incredibly diverse. We welcome many women navigating perimenopause and menopause, where therapies like red light and oxygen training can be particularly supportive. We also work with athletes looking to enhance performance and recovery, as well as individuals focused on weight management. By targeting mitochondrial function, we help activate metabolic processes allowing the body to function more efficiently and effectively.

How does the oxygen therapy look at Akari?

The beauty of the concept lies in its simplicity, it’s entirely passive. You don’t need to push or exhaust your body. From beginning to end, the experience is designed to help you fully relax. You lie back in a recliner, wrapped in a weighted blanket that encourages the body to shift into a parasympathetic state where true rest and recovery can begin. In many ways, it allows the body to do the work for you, which also makes it particularly accessible for those who may not be able to engage in more intense physical activity.

Our sessions take place in an open pod and typically last between 30 to 45 minutes. While the average oxygen level we breathe is around 20 percent, the session gradually increases this up to 50 percent, helping to deeply oxygenate the cells. By alternating between lower and higher oxygen levels in a guided sequence, we encourage the body to adapt supporting cellular resilience and efficiency. It mirrors the natural shifts you experience when moving between altitudes, such as hiking in the mountains, but without the physical strain.

At its core, the experience is about guiding the body into a deeply relaxed state. If you happen to fall asleep during the session, that’s often the best possible outcome. Many people notice the benefits almost immediately particularly in the quality of their sleep. We often see clients come in after long-haul travel or periods of intense fatigue, simply looking to reset. Even a single session can leave you feeling restored, rebalanced, and noticeably more energised.

Akari Wellness is located at One Central beside DWTC. Do people often come to the Brain Bar during the working day?

Many people within One Central area are under a lot of stress. We are in the same building as some amazing offices, including Dubai Tourism and Dubai Economy, and their employees often come just for the Brain Bar for a cognitive boost. They grab a coffee to go because they know it’s made with much healthier ingredients.

It is a very different approach from your average coffee shop. We are very careful with what we use, from the coffee beans to the milk. The coffee beans come from a brand I work with in the US, and they are ethically sourced. The macadamias are sourced here, and we prepare everything inside our own pantry.

Nowadays, the region is also going through certain moments where things may feel less stable, and for us, it is really about helping people cope better with day-to-day anxiety, insomnia and daily stress in a natural way, without immediately turning to medication.

Can you tell us about yourself? You’re from Switzerland. Do you have a wellness or medical background?

I’m a creative director by background, working closely with architects and interior designers in the luxury hospitality space to curate art collections for leading hotel brands. I’ve been doing this for the past eight years, rooted in a foundation of art and design. Alongside that, wellness has always played a significant role in my life.

I spent my very first salary on a solo wellness retreat at 22. It was a defining experience, and over time, I realised it became even more meaningful when shared with others bringing friends and family into that world. That sense of sharing stayed with me, especially because so many people need access to this kind of support, yet don’t always have the opportunity.

Having lived in Dubai on and off for the past 20 years, I felt there was a genuine opportunity to contribute something purposeful. I wanted to create a concept that had such a transformative impact on my life shaped in a health-conscious environment like Switzerland into a city that moves at such a fast pace. Life here is dynamic and constantly evolving; we are always striving for more. But it raises an important question: how are we supporting our mental and physical wellbeing in a way that doesn’t add more stress or elevate cortisol levels? That, ultimately, is what Akari is about.

Do you see a future where bars will be like yours, with no alcohol but with special drinks?

I hope so, because we are becoming more and more informed about the effects alcohol has on our brain, on our bodies and on how we feel the day after. I don’t see why we should have more bars serving alcohol than bars serving healthy drinks.

I think we are playing a big part in being brave, because it takes bravery to start something that no one has done before. You will definitely receive criticism, but at the end of the day, if I can improve people’s lifestyle or how they feel, that’s all that matters.

What are the most common reasons people come to Akari?

It really ranges from “What do you do?” to “I can’t sleep, can you help me?” or “My brain can’t focus anymore, I’m overwhelmed.”

Number one is better sleep followed by the urge to reduce inflammation. Today, chronic inflammatory processes are linked to many health issues, and sitting is the new smoking. For anyone who needs to support circulation and recovery, red light therapy can be really helpful. It’s a half-hour break that can impact your whole year.

While we are not a yoga or Pilates studio, we focus on science-led equipment and treatments that can support deeper and long-term body recovery.

Lastly, the space itself matters. I built it as a fully sustainable and healthy environment while making sure it was easy on the eyes. Even the paint on the walls is non-toxic, the floors are hardwood, and everything was made in the UAE. I was very adamant about that, since I spend most of my time here with the team.

Where do you think Dubai’s wellness industry is heading?

The government here is incredibly forward-thinking. I haven’t experienced this level of holistic care in many other places, a genuine commitment to wellbeing that spans every aspect of life. So it’s no surprise to me that the UAE is moving in this direction. There’s a clear understanding that people here are driven, ambitious, and constantly striving, but that intensity also comes with pressure and strain.

When you look at the vision of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, it’s rooted in values like kindness, empathy, and the importance of both a healthy body and a healthy mind. It reflects a broader intention to create an environment where people are not only encouraged to succeed, but also supported in taking care of themselves. I believe this will continue to open the door to more accessible and innovative wellbeing solutions.

We’re entering a new phase, and Dubai is very much at the forefront. It invites a shift in perspective moving away from the idea of living solely to work, and instead creating a life where wellbeing is part of the everyday, not something reserved for retirement. There’s an energy here that encourages growth on every level, where possibilities feel expansive and constantly evolving.

At the same time, I think there’s value in not being overly prescriptive about the future. Allowing space for life to unfold and surprise you can often lead to the most meaningful outcomes.