Hey friend,

Unwinding at the end of the day with a drink feels good…

BUT it can easily become a nightly habit that seeps into other areas of your life.

With alcohol being one of the most socially accepted psychoactive substances—and rampant alcoholism—it’s a slippery slope.

Everyone has encountered alcoholism in some way or another—whether through a friend, family member, or even personally.

I’ve watched one casual drink at night quietly spiral into years of alcohol abuse, often unnoticed until it’s too late…

Plus, I have no idea where the idea of a “nightcap” came from—sure, alcohol might help you fall asleep, but it actually wrecks your sleep quality! [1]

It disrupts your sleep cycle [2], messes with melatonin [3] and circadian rhythm [4], and worsens snoring and sleep apnea [5], [6].

When optimizing your health and aiming for peak performance, a nightly drink is the last thing you’ll want…

And no, your damn red wine isn't providing any real health benefits from its resveratrol content!

Just go straight to the source: red grape skins or hit it hard with a potent resveratrol supplement.

But I get it, sometimes it’s nice to turn up at social events or have a little sumpin’ sumpin’ to relax and power down in the evening.

So here are 3 non-habit-forming alcohol alternatives I use to unwind, decompress, and party it up—while supporting my physical well-being and mental health (and sleep) in the long run!

3 Evening Alcohol Alternatives to Help You Relax (or Turn Up)

1. Kava Kava

Kava (Piper methysticum) is an herb native to the Pacific Islands, used for centuries in social and religious ceremonies by Indigenous peoples.

Traditionally, it was harvested and then either chewed (typically by young bare-breasted women), ground or pounded before being infused in freshwater or coconut milk, with the first servings going to the tribal elders.

Kava modulates GABA receptors [7] and blocks norepinephrine uptake [8], boosting mood and promoting relaxation in both mind and body—perfect for relieving tension, stress, and overwhelm.

Kava has powerful anti-anxiety properties, with studies showing its effectiveness rivaling that of some prescription medications. [9]

Plus, unlike conventional benzodiazepine anxiolytics that impair cognitive performance, Kava actually enhances brain function!

It's especially effective for social anxiety and racing, circular thoughts.

I love kava when I’m anxious or overwhelmed, especially about something coming up the next day.

When I'm overthinking or replaying how it will go, and that mental chatter keeps me awake…

…kava helps me quiet the noise, chill the f*ck out, and get that good ol’ shut-eye!

Right now, I’m loving Kavahaven’s Kava-infused, non-alcoholic spirit. It tastes great, goes down smooth, and is the bee’s knees on the rocks!

Perfect for a date night with the misses!

*Get some of that good-good kava here ↘ Kavahaven​

2. Hard Ketones

This is my go-to drink for a little extra kick—rivaling alcohol without the downsides or negative health effects!

Hard Ketones is a unique, patented compound called Ketohol that delivers all the buzz you want—without the booze.

When you compare alcohol to Hard Ketones, the difference is clear:

• Alcohol converts into acetaldehyde [10], a toxin that leads to hangovers and contributes to a vast array of health problems associated with alcohol consumption. In contrast, Ketohol converts to ketones, which the body produces during fasting to promote longevity and boost brain health.
• Alcohol makes you hungry and spikes your blood sugar, but Ketohol suppresses appetite (thanks to the ketones), helping you avoid late-night snacking that leads to weight gain!

In my experience, social situations were always the trigger for "just one drink"—which inevitably turned into five more…

Sure, there was some peer pressure—“take a shot with me” or “let me buy you a drink”—but it was mostly my discomfort with not joining in on what everyone else was doing.

Hard Ketones is my go-to when I’m out where drinks are flowing. It helps me stick to my health goals and set clear boundaries for myself.

With a healthier drink in hand, I don’t feel the peer pressure or the need to fit in. I’m doing my thing and catching a good buzz!

*Turn up with Hard Ketones, get yours here ↘ KetoneAid​

3. Calm Amanita tincture

Calm by Psyched-Wellness is a pure extract from the Amanita muscaria mushroom—yes, just like the one from Alice in Wonderland or Super Mario! 🍄

You may be thinking, “Isn’t that mushroom poisonous?”

Actually, no, Amanita muscaria isn’t poisonous, but other Amanita species are.

However, compared to psilocybin mushrooms, Amanita muscaria has a higher ratio of harsh compounds to psychoactive compounds—this is where Calm shines!

It isolates the therapeutic ingredient, muscimol, leaving behind all the harsh compounds in the mushroom.

Muscimol activates GABA-A receptors in the brain, similar to alcohol, calming overall brain activity.

This mechanism promotes relaxation while reducing anxiety and stress.

For me, it's like enjoying a glass or two of wine—without the hangover or any negative side effects and health consequences!

Plus, nothing melts the tension in my neck, shoulders, and jaw after a stressful day like Amanita muscaria!

I highly recommend it for anyone struggling with insomnia too, as it can help you fall asleep and stay asleep.

*Get Calm Amanita Tincture here ↘ Psyched-Wellness​

Welcome to a new era of psychoactives!

I hope this sparks some ideas for evening nightcaps (pun intended with the Amanita mushroom) to help you unwind and chill AF—whether at home or getting turnt up at the club with Hard Ketones in hand!

Because people are starting to recognize the harmful effects of alcohol on both physical and mental health, and how it can damage families, friendships, and communities…

Simple changes like these can lead to HUGE holistic health benefits in the long run!

I’m curious—have you tried any of these alcohol alternatives? If so, what was your experience like?

Hit reply and let me know!

Also, if you have any questions, just send them my way.

I’ll be keeping an eye on my inbox all day—let’s chat about ditching booze for psychoactive compounds that boost health instead of sabotaging it!

Thanks for reading and see you next Saturday,

Onjae

* = I am NOT affiliated with any of these products or companies.

References:

[1] Thakkar, Mahesh M et al. “Alcohol disrupts sleep homeostasis.” Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.) vol. 49,4 (2015): 299-310. doi:10.1016/j.alcohol.2014.07.019

[2] Ebrahim, Irshaad O et al. “Alcohol and sleep I: effects on normal sleep.” Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research vol. 37,4 (2013): 539-49. doi:10.1111/acer.12006

[3] Rupp, Tracy L et al. “Evening alcohol suppresses salivary melatonin in young adults.” Chronobiology international vol. 24,3 (2007): 463-70. doi:10.1080/07420520701420675

[4] Burgess, Helen J et al. “A single dose of alcohol does not meaningfully alter circadian phase advances and phase delays to light in humans.” American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology vol. 310,8 (2016): R759-65. doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00001.2016

[5] Kolla, Bhanu Prakash et al. “The impact of alcohol on breathing parameters during sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Sleep medicine reviews vol. 42 (2018): 59-67. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2018.05.007

[6] Burgos-Sanchez, Christian et al. “Impact of Alcohol Consumption on Snoring and Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery vol. 163,6 (2020): 1078-1086. doi:10.1177/0194599820931087

[7] Jussofie, A et al. “Kavapyrone enriched extract from Piper methysticum as modulator of the GABA binding site in different regions of rat brain.” Psychopharmacology vol. 116,4 (1994): 469-74. doi:10.1007/BF02247480

[8] LaPorte, E et al. “Neurocognitive effects of kava (Piper methysticum): a systematic review.” Human psychopharmacology vol. 26,2 (2011): 102-11. doi:10.1002/hup.1180

[9] Thompson, Richard et al. “Enhanced cognitive performance and cheerful mood by standardized extracts of Piper methysticum (Kava-kava).” Human psychopharmacology vol. 19,4 (2004): 243-50. doi:10.1002/hup.581

[10] Zakhari, Samir. “Overview: how is alcohol metabolized by the body?.” Alcohol research & health : the journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism vol. 29,4 (2006): 245-54.