More people are turning to nootropics like Lions Mane and Chaga Mushrooms to enhance health and improve the symptoms of common illnesses. While these naturally occurring supplements have been used for (literally) thousands of years to improve and cure diseases, they are still largely mysterious through the lens of modern science.
Research into these types of nootropics, and how they interact with one another, is ongoing. But what happens if you begin a nootropic regime and also want to drink alcohol? Does alcohol interact with nootropics? Can you use Lion’s Mane or Chaga Mushrooms with an alcoholic drink and still feel its benefits? We will investigate.
What Are Nootropics?
Nootropics are naturally occurring compounds that help to enhance our brain and body health. Nootropics already play a role in our day to day life. For example, caffeine is a nootropic which is found in coffee and chocolate. Nicotine is also a nootropic, found in vaping juice and tobacco leaves that are smoked as cigarettes.
There are also a huge variety of nootropics you may already be taking as supplements, such as omega oil, zinc and St. John’s Wort.
The global nootropics market size is valued at USD 29.24 billion by 2028, proving that their use is increasing in popularity and shows no sign of slowing. They can be used for a huge variety of reasons, including:
- To improve focus and concentration
- To alleviate pain and discomfort
- To aid digestion
- Anxiety reduction
- Depression reduction
- Stress reduction
- To sleep better
- And much more.
But not all nootropics are made equal. Some are specifically used for issues like pain and mobility. Others are designed to boost concentration and focus. And so on. Choosing the right nootropic is therefore important, as well as the dose.
How Do People Use Nootropics?
Nootropics are typically taken orally as a supplement. An example of this is the Reishi Mushroom, which can be taken as a capsule, a powder, or made into a tea. There are many different doses of each nootropic, but you must always follow the advice on the label and only buy from reputable sellers. Why? Because while nootropics are natural, they are also powerful and have a real biological effect on the body and brain. Too much of anything can be dangerous, and this includes nootropics. Similarly, a dose that is too low or not potent enough will be a waste of money because you won’t notice any effects.
Can Nootropics Be Taken With Alcohol?
Alcohol forms a normal and accepted part of society. Many people enjoy a glass of wine when they get home, or a pint in the pub after work. If you are taking nootropics for a physical or mental health reason, you might be wondering if you can take your nootropics with alcohol. Before we give you the answer, let’s look at what alcohol does to the body.
Alcohol, unfortunately, has very few health benefits. There is some evidence that it can reduce the risk of an ischaemic stroke, because it is a natural blood thinner. It can also possibly reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. However, this is only when alcohol is consumed in small or moderate quantities. When alcohol is consumed in large quantities over a long period of time, these health conditions can actually be caused by drinking.
Unfortunately, the risk list is a lot longer than the benefits list. High blood pressure, dementia, heart attack, obesity, depression, liver disease, cancer, injury and suicide are all more likely with heavy drinking.
Aside from alcohol giving you a sense of euphoria and ‘drunkenness’, it also depresses the nervous system, damages cells, heightens anxiety and interferes with neuron activity, reducing cognition.
So, should you take nootropics with alcohol?
When you consume alcohol, you are affecting every single area of your body. This includes every organ, every neuron pathway, every nervous system, and even the way your mind and thoughts work. So, when you use nootropics to enhance a certain system or brain process, the alcohol could be countering the positive effects of the nootropic.
There is no evidence to suggest nootropics mixed with alcohol is dangerous, but it also cannot be helpful.
Let’s say you are taking Lion’s Mane Mushroom for better concentration, heightened cognition, better sleep and reduced anxiety, then having alcohol with Lion’s Mane would directly counter many of the positive effects of Lion’s Mane. This is because alcohol increases anxiety, worsens sleep quality, induces fatigue and tiredness, reduces cognition and concentration, and generally makes you feel a little bit low. So, when taking any nootropic, it’s best to steer clear of alcohol.
Saying that, if you want to drink alcohol while taking nootropics, you can get a little bit clever with your dosing. Taking a nootropic in the morning will let you feel the benefits of it all day, so that you can enjoy a moderate drink at the end of the evening.
Nootropics We Sell
We have many different nootropics at JM Wholesale. You can enjoy a range of mushrooms for better brain and body health, as well as CBD infused products, powders, supplements and breakfast bars.
If you are selling nootropics at your shop, you should stock a nice range that caters to different health needs. This might include Reishi Mushroom or Chaga Mushroom, or one of the many others we supply.
Got questions? We are happy to help. Give us a call or send us an email and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
