Hey friend,

I don't know about you, but when I’d drink, it was like I didn’t have an “off” switch.

That first sip felt like opening the floodgates to a wild, belligerent night!

And it didn’t stop at alcohol—it quickly spiraled into a Hunter S. Thompson-style binge, cramming every substance I could into my body.

I eventually realized I no longer wanted to live that way, and it seems like others are in the same boat…

Sure, alcohol can be fun, but it comes with plenty of downsides:

• Agonizing hangovers
• Severe health consequences (especially liver, brain, and mental health)
• Doing stupid shit that you regret
• Developing dependency and addiction
• Excessive calories and the inevitable weight gain

Personally, I gave up alcohol, especially during my battle with chronic Lyme and mold toxicity—it made me feel 10x worse!

But if quitting completely isn’t for you, 'Dry January' might be a great option.

This month-long challenge (started in the UK in 2013) helps you hit the alcohol reset button—giving you a chance to reassess your relationship with drinking.

Starting the new year, everyone wants to feel their best and stay on top of their game—alcohol can hold you back and derail your goals…

Unlike Sober October, which cuts out all substances entirely, Dry January can help you get out of your comfort zone to explore other psychoactives, or what I like to call alcohol alternatives.

Healthier alternatives that skip the hangover, support your health and sleep, cut calories, and offer you new experiences and sensations!

So here are 5 alcohol alternatives that you can swap out the booze with, still keep a drink in hand at social events, and have a conversation starter—who knows, you might even inspire others to try something new also!

5 psychoactive drinks delivering all the buzz you want… no booze!

1) New Brew

New Brew is a blend of the psychoactive plants Kava (Piper methysticum) and Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa).

Kratom, a tropical evergreen in the coffee family, is native to Southeast Asia and contains the psychoactive compound mitragynine.

At low doses, kratom acts as a stimulant, boosting energy, focus, and alertness, often enhancing sociability.

Higher doses have sedative effects, providing relaxation and pain relief.

In both cases, kratom offers mood-enhancing benefits, inducing euphoria and reducing stress and anxiety.

Kava, known as the "Drink of Peace" in the Pacific Islands, contains kavalactones (the psychoactive ingredient) that relieve anxiety, calm stress, boost mood, relax muscles, promote mental clarity, and enhance sociability.

Kava and low-dose kratom combine for the ultimate synergistic blend, making this alcohol alternative #1!

>> You can check out New Brew here​

2) Tru Kava

Tru Kava is made exclusively with kava, perfect for those who want to skip kratom, especially since it affects opioid receptors, which may not be suitable for everyone.

Again, kava elevates mood, sharpens mental clarity, fosters authentic social connections, promotes mindful relaxation, and supports restorative sleep and recovery!

Kava is my favorite alcohol alternative (maybe it will become yours)!!!

>> You can check out Tru Kava here​

3) Brēz

Brēz is a legal, cannabis-infused beverage with 2.5 mg THC, 5 mg CBD, functional mushrooms like Lion's Mane, and other botanicals.

It energizes, boosts euphoria and joy, and is followed by relaxation and relief.

>> You can check out Brēz here​

4) Kin Euphorics

Kin Euphorics is a top-tier non-alcoholic drink packed with adaptogens, nootropics, and botanicals.

Their brand is super aesthetic all around….

This is your go-to for any time of day—non-inebriating with just mild psychoactive effects.

Also a perfect option for getting creative and trying your hand at mixology!

>> You can check out Kin Euphorics here​

5) Hard Ketones

Hard Ketones by Ketone Aid is the closest you'll get to alcohol-like effects without the downsides. Made with patented Ketohol (R 1,3-butanediol), it gives you the buzz—minus the booze.

Unlike alcohol, which converts to toxic acetaldehyde (hello, hangovers), Ketohol converts to ketones—your body’s natural longevity-boosting fuel during fasting.

Plus, while alcohol triggers munchies, Ketohol curbs appetite, helping you avoid packing on the extra poundage coming into the new year!

>> You can check out Hard Ketones here​

BONUSES:

For Dry January, I’m focusing on drink alternatives because habits are as physical as they are mental.

An empty hand feels off at social events, making it easy to grab a drink. Holding an alternative can help rewire that pattern.

For non-drink psychoactive plant medicines that make great alcohol alternatives, you’ve got plenty of options:

• ​Kanna chews​
• Microdosed magic mushrooms (Grab my Psychedelic Sourcing Bundle to discover my verified and preferred psilocybin vendors)
• ​Syrian Rue (Espand) capsules​
• ​Amanita muscaria tincture​

If you have big goals for 2025, taking a break from drinking could be a game-changer!

But you don’t have to go cold turkey—humans have been exploring ways to alter their consciousness since forever, and that’s not changing anytime soon!

Exploring alcohol alternatives opens the door to healthier psychoactive plant medicines—so you can still enjoy the buzz without the drawbacks!

If you want to learn more about alcohol alternatives, you can take a deeper dive inside my Alcohol Alternatives Guide!

I'm curious:

• What's your relationship like with alcohol?
• Are you thinking you'd like to do a reset?
• Have you tried any of these alcohol alternatives?
• Are you up for the Dry January challenge, with me?

Hit reply and let me know. I read every response.

Onjae

PS: Are you curious about swapping booze for magic mushroom microdoses? You can check out my personally-vetted psilocybin vendors in the Psychedelic Sourcing Bundle!