You can’t miss it – the rise of adaptogen non-alcoholic beverages is everywhere on the internet (including on One Club Sober!), promising to help you feel calmer, happier, and less stressed.
Adaptogens are simply plant-based functional ingredients like herbs, botanicals, roots, and mushrooms that help balance the nervous system.
Want a way to wind down after a stressful day without turning to alcohol? Crack open one of these non-alcoholic relaxing drinks with added adaptogens.
But if you are recovering from alcoholism and wondering are adaptogens safe for alcoholics, then you might be wondering about these “functional” non-alcoholic drinks.
Generally, adaptogens are safe for alcoholics, although it is important to consider the specific circumstances and needs of someone recovering from alcohol addiction.
Adaptogenic non-alcoholic beverages are advertised as natural plant-based alcohol replacements to relieve stress, and experts have noted that adaptogens do not encourage abuse or dependence, unlike alcohol.
That said, there are other risks of consuming adaptogens that are not related to alcoholism – mainly the amount of dosage you consume.
Typically, the amount of adaptogen in a can of non-alcoholic mocktail with adaptogen or any other adaptogenic beverage is not enough to pose serious health risks.
If you have certain medical conditions such as diabetes or you’re pregnant, or you are taking medications such as antidepressants, you would want to avoid certain adaptogens as they can affect your hormones, blood sugar level, or other effects.
Do Adaptogen Drinks Work?
While adaptogens are new to the Western world, Eastern and Ayurvedic medicine have been using herbs, plants, and mushrooms for thousands of years.
When added to non-alcoholic beverages, adaptogens are meant to help you feel calmer and more relaxed.
Although many adaptogenic beverages will avoid making any medicinal promises or overpromising, some studies have shown that there are benefits to consuming adaptogens.
For example, in this study, researchers noticed that consuming Ashwagandha lowers morning cortisol.
Unfortunately, there are not enough trials and research on whether adaptogen drinks work, and many ingredients are still not well researched in the West.
Another factor that matters is the amount of adaptogen in each drink. If the dose of an adaptogen is insignificant, then you are unlikely to feel the adaptogenic effect.
It can be difficult to identify if your adaptogenic beverage contains enough dosage because many labels include specific amounts of each ingredient.
Additionally, the potency of each herb, botanical, root, and mushroom will also depend on how it was grown, the location where it was grown, when the harvestation was, and the part of the plant it came from.
Also Read: 12 Best Non-Alcoholic Relaxing Drinks (With Adaptogens, Nootropics, And Herbs)
Is Ashwagandha Good For Alcoholism?
A common adaptogen found in non-alcoholic adaptogenic beverages is Ashwagandha, a herb known for its benefits related to stress relief, better energy levels, and better focus.
Several studies have shown that Ashwagandha can help to lower anxiety around alcohol withdrawal, and was even compared to diazepam, an anti-anxiety medication.
Is Kava Good For Alcoholics?
Another popular adaptogen is Kava, an ancient plant from the islands of the South Pacific that has been consumed for centuries for relaxation, social, and cultural reasons.
One of the effects of consuming kava is it helps you feel more relaxed and sociable naturally without the need for alcohol or any other stimulants.
That makes non-alcoholic drinks with kava a good natural drink if you are looking for a way to be more social without alcohol, manage your anxiety, or even to help you through alcohol withdrawals.
Also Read: Try These 11 Ready-To-Drink Alcohol Alternatives To Relax
Conclusion
When recovering from alcohol addiction, our advice is to use adaptogens cautiously. It’s important to recognize that adaptogens alone cannot cure alcohol addiction.
We recommend that you seek professional guidance about adaptogens, follow a tailored treatment plan, and consult a healthcare professional for support.