“Sober-Curious”-Spotting a New Trend

The “sober-curious” movement is sparking a change in how young people are defining their relationship with alcohol.

According to an article published on August 24, 2021, on WebMD, alcohol sales in the United States between March and September 2020 were, on average, 20% higher than that same time the previous year, undoubtedly fueled by the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. Drug use and overdose rates rose nearly 30% in every state during that time, accelerated by the mandatory quarantine and isolation restrictions imposed to keep the population at large as safe from disease as possible. 

Now, as we emerge from many of the tightest Covid restrictions, and the country attempts a semblance of normalcy, there is a new trend emerging, especially among the young – “sober curious”.  These young people make a choice to abstain from alcohol for reasons not related to “recovery”.  Many are making healthier lifestyle choices, which often include choosing nonalcoholic beverages when they recreate.  Enter products like “Psychedelic Water,” which contains no LSD or psilocybin, but rather, kava root, used for thousands of years by Pacific Islanders for its calming effect.  Kava root, in combination with damiana leaves and green tea extract, provide Psychedelic Water with a formula that reduces anxiety while simultaneously providing a boost of energy.

The “sober-curious” movement is also driving sales of alcohol-free cocktails to new heights.  Last year, according to Nielsen, sales of non-alcoholic beverages increased 33% to $331 million.  While analysts predict that this trend will continue through 2022, we can only hope that this movement continues to steer younger generations away from alcohol, and toward healthier alternatives.  We’ll keep you posted!

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