What’s in a drink?

We all know Red wine has a very different effect to another alcoholic drink like for instance Tequila, even when we balance the units of alcohol consumed.

So, they’re not both just alcoholic drinks that taste different, we know from experience not all alcohol is created equal. This isl due to the thousands of other compounds donated by the plants in the first place, as well as the myriad others created in the various brewing processes.

The very name spirit derives from the original usage of the word, which carried recognition that the alcohol was a solvent which extracted the ‘spirit’ of the plants – we’ve simply forgotten it was the plants which were the main point all along.

Knowing this, the world of alcohol-free suddenly becomes far more interesting.

Using an array of extraction methods, it is possible to extract the health giving and mood enhancing compounds from even our common or garden plants, to create a feel-good social drink without the penalty of a hangover.

Once upon a time, I was obsessed with hot yoga and a green powders product called Supergreens. By combining these, I detoxed my body to the extent I would wake up feeling so cosy, warm and exquisite I was transported back in time, to the experience of being a baby in the cot, feeling blissful simply from having a body with which to touch cotton sheets. This and the understanding that feeling that way is a natural result of a healthy balance of hormones and neurochemicals, was one of the experiences which inspired the creation of Bliss.

It’s long been a mystery to me that at times of celebration, when we’re gathered together with friends and would like to experience their company, it’s a cultural habit to get drunk and ‘out of it’, when the essence of a party, is to be found by being ‘in it’.

So, how does drinking Bliss feel? Well, Blissful is the short answer, but consider also that everyone’s experience of Bliss is unique. Do we all have the same neurochemical make up? Does every body even experience alcohol the same way?

Every single person will experience the herbs, amino’s vitamins and minerals differently, but that said we can generalise a little:

• Chocolate reminds us of our identity as playful creator beings
• Lions mane and Reishi Mushroom, and the roots such as Angelica, Dandelion, Liquorice and Maca bring greater awareness and presence in our bodies
• Anxiolytics such as Oat Straw and Skullcap reduce the cortisol and adrenaline common to modern life, to bring about relaxation and relief, and that relaxation and presence being the foundations of charisma open up greater social confidence
• Passionflower, Mucuna Pruriens and L-Theanine increases serotonin availability, increasing feelings of wellbeing and happiness
• Aphrodisiacs such as Rose and Hibiscus, Catuaba and Muira Puama, open our centre, bringing consciousness out of the mind and into the heart
• Ginkgo and Ashwagandha are both potent dopamine enhancing herbs, enhancing social connection and satisfaction
• Cardamom is the world's third-most expensive spice, we also use a lot of it in both blends as it is such a potent stimulant and is so good for the libido
• Amino acids are an underused resource but L-Tyrosine is super powerful, increasing energy levels to combat fatigue-based depression
• When cooked together, Lions Mane and Star Anise create a really interesting energetic which brings a bubbly, joyful feeling similar to getting energy flowing on a dancefloor
• Finally, Blue Lotus opens up the higher energy centres, to increase openness to novelty, laughter, new ideas and realisations

But an alcohol free-spirit - Does it really work? For most people, absolutely yes it does.

There’s only one way to really find out… May your journey be Blissful!