They'll make you feel euphoric, calm, and sharp.
The gist:
For post-work relaxation without the alcohol, put nootropics in your mocktail.
Expert insight:
While alcohol is a depressant, nootropics qualify as uppers, explains Leigh Weissman, sommelier and the food and beverage manager at Equinox in New York City. “The feeling of intoxication can impair judgement, but nootropics enhance it,” she says. This effect explains why they’re sometimes referred to as “smart drugs.” After drinking a nootropic-heavy mocktail, you may experience feelings of euphoria, calmness, and overall improved cognitive function.
Many substances fall into this category, Weissman says. You're probably most familiar with caffeine and l-theanine, found in green and black teas. Others, which you can get from extracts and powders, include ginseng, tyrosine, GABA, and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP).
The bottom line:
Nootropics make for a healthy alternative to alcohol. To get the benefits, swap your standard mocktail seltzer for this non-alcoholic spritz (which contains GABA, 5-HTP, and tyrosine) or stir in a Hydrant packet (which contains caffeine and l-theanine).