Posted by Alcohol alternatives promise relaxation and ability to socialize without the intoxication and hangover of the boozy beverages. While most could be said to have little to no after-effects, those that are truly effective in stress relief and helping to bond people are not as common. You don’t want to drink alcohol, but you also want something to help you be your best self with friends or mingling with strangers alike.
With that being said, here are some of the leading alcohol alternatives that are truly deserving of the title.
Why Do Some People Seek Out Alcohol Alternatives?
There are several valid reasons to look for alternatives to alcoholic beverages:
You want to socialize without drinking. Maybe you don’t like the effects of alcohol. Maybe you’re watching your calorie intake. Drinking is expensive, damages your body (especially the liver and brain) and overall health, and it’s risky effects- and sobriety-wise. Whatever the reason, nobody should feel obligated to drink at social events.
“Non-alcoholic” versions of beverages just won’t do. They’re not horrible, but they make you look like you wished you could drink, and there’s nothing aside from the tiniest bit of alcohol to relax you, which is negligible and would take you drinking several bottles to get a buzz.
You want it for your schedule, on your terms. You still need to be high-functioning. Not work-ready, but unwinding-ready.
You already know, or suspect, that real alternatives exist. Legal, non-prescription means that are actually effective are around somewhere.
What Makes a Reliable Alcohol Alternative?
- Stress- and anxiety-relieving
- Relaxing
- Encouraging socializing – lowering of inhibitions
- No overwhelming intoxication or negative after-effects
- Sensible pricing
Kratom + Kava Shots
Kava, a traditional South Pacific plant that’s a psychoactive beverage for the indigenous people. They soak the roots in water and strain it before serving. It encourages social bonding, and in combination with kratom for mental and physical grounding-like effects, is an alcohol alternative. It relaxes you and helps you feel at ease while among people without wanting to reach for alcohol, only to probably regret it later.
Keep in mind that kratom + kava can be very sedating, so the shots are best for occasional, evening use.
7-OH
7-OH is most popular for pain relief, but it can also sedate and enhance mood. Chewable tablets work all day, so shots are better for a rapid onset and powerful duration. Low doses can even stimulate energy. You can find 7-OH as chewable tablets or even more potent in concentrated shots.
7-OH + Kana
Kana is newer to the U.S. than kratom, but it acts in a similar vein – effects that relieve anxiety and stress and encourage social bonding and closeness. There’s a debate as to whether it encourages a “euphoric buzz” that is alcohol-like or a simple mood boost, but regardless, it is similar to kava. The smooth energy, calm, and clarity of 7-OH meets the anxiety and stress-relieving properties of kanna. This combination comes in chewable tablets with a rapid onset and potent effects. Like the kratom + kava shots, 7-OH + kana tablets are best for nighttime.
High-Dose Kratom
The wonderful thing about kratom is that it has different effects depending on how much of it you take. No matter what kind of kratom you use, you can rely on a high dose to relax. However, you’ll still want to work your way up if you’re a beginner, and some people might do better with a moderate dose over a high one. High-dose kratom comes as powder, capsules, and sometimes shots depending on the vendor.
Red Kratom Strains
Out of the main kratom strains – green, white, yellow or gold, and red – red is the one people know for sedation, relaxation, and some degree of pain relief and emotional support. Keep it to low and moderate doses rather than high, unless you’re using it on the rare occasion you want a little help getting to sleep. Red kratom is available as powder or capsules.
Pseudo
Another 7-OH alternative, Pseudo stands for mitragynine pseudoindoxyl. It’s a semi-synthetic derivative of kratom or a rearrangement of 7-hydroxymitragynine. What makes it different is that it’s more widely available than 7-OH and has fewer side effects, with less severity and risks in comparison. It also feels different: It lasts longer and grounds the body and mind with greater presence. Pseudo is available as chewable tablets and sometimes as shots depending on the vendor.
Oxonol
Smooth and light with mental clarity, a gentle onset, and a broad spectrum of kratom alkaloids and effects describes Oxonol. Here is another 7-OH alternative and only one vendor has it as a proprietary formula. The patented kratom alkaloid blend contains 7-OH, mitragynine, MGM15, and 2 other kratom alkaloids. Oxonol will probably not last all day, but like Pseudo has fewer side effects than 7-OH and is legally compliant.
True Alcohol Alternatives That Work
With alcohol alternatives, you don’t have to resort to non-alcoholic beverages or weak formulas that don’t work or don’t last. Whether you choose an option that comes in powder, capsules, or shots, and whether you want just one compound or a synergistic blend, you have many options.
To make your shopping experience easier by having more options from one reliable vendor, we recommend Real Botanicals. Ethical sourcing, a patented ChromaPure process, and a private lab come together for simple, effective formulas for broad-spectrum or targeted effects.
See also “6 of the Best Botanicals for Calm and Relaxation” and “The 6 Best Botanicals for Socializing“