There’s an intriguing trend on social media - an array of elixirs, drops, and gummies that promise a relaxed buzz, intense focus, zero guilt… catering to the trend of less drinking. Let’s face it—Alcohol is under pressure! In small amounts, there may be some health benefits, but the average person who consumes alcohol more than normal is not optimal for long-term health. 

The marketing of these products is fabulous. You can be glamorous, happy, and awaken the next day unhurt by alcohol’s dark side. I’m not denying the dark side of alcohol—It affects five of the major neurotransmitter systems and is the perfect drug for the human brain. It is the most likely to become addictive because of this amazing effect. Nicotine comes close, affecting the other three of the major eight neurotransmitter systems. There are a couple of hard-core pharmaceutical and street drugs that may hit two of the neurotransmitter systems, but for the most part, most drugs will affect only one neurotransmitter system. 

It’s no wonder alcohol can be hard to kick! At the same time, it’s not always harmful. In fact, red wine (in moderation) has some benefits for some people. For the elderly, small amounts of alcohol have been shown to have some benefits. For those who can enjoy alcohol without binging or inducing guilt from the after effects of their drinking, it may be far less harmful than some other things in our food supply. 

So it’s no wonder that the semi-dry or sober-ish movement seems to be gaining traction. But at the end of the day, the question that comes to mind is whether you need something to help you feel relaxed, or if experiencing a buzz is necessary. 

Are we just masking the problem? 

I’m not talking about the decision to indulge in something to enjoy a temporary relaxation on occasion. I’m talking about the idea that you have to take something or have something to relax because you lack the capacity to help yourself relax. There’s a good part of this marketing that subliminally implies that you need something, and they’ve got the solution. 

The other interesting thing about these products is the cost. Ranging anywhere from $100-$120 a 750 ml bottle for something that is intended to be used at 1 to 2 ounces per drink—that’s basically a use equivalent of alcohol and makes it a very high-end investment. It better be a damn good product! You can find lots of sparkling and canned options out there as well that run anywhere from $5 to $12 a can! Don’t forget you can get drops and Gummies that likewise are anywhere from $3 to $10 a dose. Some herbs would be that expensive if they were of an appropriate quality! (given the average cost of obtaining them)

And to their credit, the herbs, mushrooms, and vitamins that lace these guilt-free, free buzz-inducing, magical elixirs have all the right catchphrases: Lion's mane, Ashwagandha, hemp, delta 9, dark chocolate, L-Theanine, not to mention no/low calories.

But there’s a big thing missing on all these labels I look at—there’s no dosing. 

I can’t find any information about the concentration of each ingredient. 

Why?

These are proprietary blends meant for entertainment, so they are exempt from the labeling requirements of supplements. As an herbalist, this makes me very uncomfortable. Many of these lovely adaptive genic herbs have the potential to interact with common antidepressants and other medications. At a very low dose, the risk is minimal. But at a high enough dose to have a psychoactive effect on the brain from the herbs, there is a high likelihood of interaction. 

There are no warnings about this. Only promises of guilt, free joy, and blissful buzzing. 

I am an advocate for exploring mocktails, especially for people looking to limit their alcohol use. They can be a nice bridge to cut back on drinking while learning how to use meditation, journaling, neurographics, exercise, and nutrition to cultivate better mental and physical health. They give an option for celebrating special occasions with something tasty and elegant-looking. They can be good medicine. They are not a cure-all to every ailment and moment of psychic tension that the marketing implies we need. 

I personally love Schisandra with tonic water, a dash of bitters, and a splash of fruit juice. Yes, quality Schisandra can be up to $80 for 8 oz., but you only use 1 tsp per drink. That’s 48 servings! For $40, you can still typically get a decent quality 8-oz bottle. 

Cacao brewed traditionally with rose water, cinnamon, and a dash of cream of your choice is a calming and warming delight. For about $40, you can buy enough for 24 servings (That’s if you want the top-shelf quality) $25 will get you a good quality grind of the same size. 

You don’t need to spend $5 on a can of something with an undisclosed amount of CBD or other cannabinoids…buy your own quality juice, some sparkling water, spice with with some nutmeg and cinnamon. Invest in organic herbs and get the whole nutmeg with a grater—it’s worth it—and add CBD of your choice to the drink and enjoy!