Written By Amalia, Biology MSci.
Dig out your see-through rain mack and dust off your heart shaped sunnies. The
inevitability of unreliable weather is upon us once again, just in time for festival
season. Whatever the weather, UK festivals are a true summer staple – whether the
sun’s beaming down on your face with a side of banging tunes and immaculate
vibes, or you’re sloshing around in the mud with a bag of wine and a new best mate.
There simply isn’t another environment like it in the world. And, let’s be frank –
people like to indulge during those heady festival days, be it a hard day’s boozing or
a long night of debauched decisions, several surveys (and many years of festival
experience) tell us that recreational drugs are used at much higher rates during
festivals when compared to regular nightlife events. With alcohol flowing from onsite
bars and Class A’s never far away, let’s take a closer look at how some of the most
popular feel-good substances take effect in the human body.
A little note before we dive in…
Whilst we love a festival (mud, music, mayhem and all), let’s be honest, they can
be pretty taxing on the brain and body. So before we get into the fun stuff, here’s
a gentle reminder to rave responsibly. Whether you’re drinking or dabbling in anything else it’s always worth saying – start low and slow, test what you're taking at free drug testing centres like The Loop and ensure you’re familiar with the whereabouts of welfare – just in case things get a little bit intense. There’s no shame in taking a breather, asking for help, or swapping the dancefloor for a sit-down.
Neurotransmitters, Bosses of The Brain
The common mechanism shared by all recreational substances with an ability to
induce mind-altering sensations, is the way they impact your brain – specifically,
your neurotransmitters. Your brain is effectively what makes you, you. Everything
you think, feel, and are, is controlled by networks of neurons that send messages to
each other, throughout the spinal cord and the rest of the body.
To send these messages, neurons release molecules called neurotransmitters into
the synapse and other neurons receive them, catching them in receptors that are
attuned to these different kinds of neurotransmitters. Drugs and alcohol affect the
way this signalling occurs – either by mimicking our own transmitters and sneaking in
through the receptors, or by increasing (or decreasing) the amounts available. The reason they have such profound effects is because the increase or decrease is fairly extreme compared to natural levels.
Dopamine and serotonin are two main character neurotransmitters that we hear a lot
about these days, lovingly referred to as “the feel-good molecules”. When dopamine
is released, we feel a sense of temporary pleasure, and it’s part of the reward
system of the brain that evolved to keep humans doing things that were originally
good for survival: eating nutrient-rich food, completing tasks, mating… Because it
makes us feel good, it leads us to seek that feeling again and again, which
evolutionarily is important, but in the context of our fastpaced, pleasure-seeking
world, can lead to more addictive behaviours and is sourced from less beneficial
things (hello 2am scroll hole). Serotonin is similar to dopamine in that it brings up
positive feelings, but it’s less instant and more about long term well-being and
happiness. Low levels might negatively affect mood, sleep or even the digestive
tract.
Glutamate is another type of neurotransmitter which will be key as we move on to
explore the mechanisms of different substances. This is one of the main messengers
in the brain and body, and the most abundant brain chemical. It’s responsible for
“exciting” the neurons, ensuring that the little electric messages are passed along the
chain. On the other hand, if glutamate levels are reduced, messages aren’t passed
along the nerves and the communication is, dulled.
Do You Like Pina Coladas… Taking Bumps of Cocaine?
Offender Number One: Alcohol
A true festival staple, alcohol is consumed and enjoyed in a vast variety of formats –
from hoppy brewed beers to shots of Tequila. The thing these drinks have in
common is ethanol content, the true chemical alcohol that actually makes us drunk.
More than 84% of adults report drinking alcohol at some point and an occasional
drink is unlikely to cause health problems. Why does drinking give us that warm
fuzzy feeling and make us feel more confident? What happens physiologically?
Booze affects your body relatively quickly, being absorbed through the stomach
lining into the bloodstream. From there, it spreads into tissues throughout your body
– reaching your brain in only five minutes, and starts affecting you within 10! After 20
minutes, your liver starts to process it, breaking it down and metabolising it. No
matter your size, the liver can only digest one standard drink per hour, but you may
feel more or less drunk depending on your blood alcohol content which is impacted
by many different factors, such as dehydration and overall mass. Intoxication is what
happens when your intake exceeds the liver’s ability to break down the alcohol. As
you get drunker, you experience more physical symptoms, the alcohol also
depresses the central nervous system, affecting how the brain processes
information.
Ethanol is mainly a depressant, but it has stimulating effects when you first start
drinking through the initial release of happy neurotransmitters. The initial “pleasure”
when sipping on that first drink happens as soon as the ethanol reaches your brain,
and triggers the production and release of dopamine and serotonin.
The Hangover
Pretty much everyone who has enjoyed the fun side of alcohol, has also paid the
price. The following day, or days, is often less fun, but what actually is a hangover?
The term is a fairly all-encompassing umbrella, but here are some of the specific
things you might experience. First up, dehydration with increased urination and fluid
loss leads to headache, fatigue and feeling thirsty. Then the infamous nausea
caused by irritation of the GI tract and lining of the stomach. Alcohol also lowers
sleep quality, which in turn increases feeling of fatigue.The shifts in inhibition on the
central nervous system can lead to irritation or anxiety as your brain restabilises
Symptoms are both extremely variable and entirely individual. It is not limited to
heavy drinking, or necessarily the next day: these processes set in when blood
alcohol levels approach zero after any given ingestion of alcohol. They are pretty
much all down to one culprit: acetaldehyde. This chemical is a byproduct of your liver
metabolising ethanol, which is toxic and contributes to inflammation in the body –
linked to feeling unwell.
Offender Number Two: Cocaine
For thousands of years, people in South America have chewed and ingested coca
leaf, the source of cocaine, to treat various ailments, and to benefit from its
fastworking stimulant effects. The purified chemical, cocaine hydrochloride, was
isolated from the plant more than 100 years ago, and was at that time the main
active ingredient in many tonics and elixirs purchased over the counter. It was (as
the name suggests) the main ingredient in the early formulations of Coca Cola, as
well as being used by surgeons to block pain in patients at a time before local
anaesthetics were developed.
The effects of cocaine appear almost immediately, and disappear within anything
from a few minutes to an hour. It gives feelings of euphoria, energy, talkativeness,
mental alertness and being extra sensitive to sight, sound, and touch. Cocaine
increases dopamine levels by blocking the dopamine transporters in the brain,
effectively flooding the reward-pathway.
The Comedown
Also referred to as a coke hangover, changover or cocaine crash, the comedown
occurs as cocaine’s effects start to wear off. The brain shuts down dopamine
production while also clearing out any ‘residual party dopamine’. Cocaine is an
exceptionally strong stimulant which can easily overstimulate your central nervous
system. The reason it is so highly addictive is that the positive reinforcement of the
initial dopamine flood is combined with a very brief but intense high, where people want to experience the effect again as soon as possible. This means that tolerance builds quickly and the comedown can become more intense. A severe comedown is basically the high in reverse, where the opposite effects are experienced (known as the rebound effect). This can be unpleasant and distressing, with symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, depression and irritability. As excess dopamine is flushed out, the brain prevents production of more dopamine - leading to feelings of intense sadness, irritability and crippling anxiety. Brain fog and sluggishness are also common feelings, again due to the contrast of going from lots of dopamine to very little.
Offender Number Three: MDMA
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, called MDMA, is the main substance in
Ecstasy pills, an amphetamine derivative that as the name of the pill suggests
produces feelings of well-being, euphoria, increased extroversion, empathy towards
others, as well as some psychoactive effects such as perceptual changes and
derealisation. When taken in tablet or capsule form, the effects of MDMA are felt on
average 45 minutes later, peaking 15-30 minutes after first experienced and lasting
an average of 3 hours. These effects are due to the release of our friends serotonin
and dopamine, alongside norepinephrine. MDMA also blocks the reuptake of these
neurotransmitters, which means they hang around for longer between neurons to
extend their effect. ‘Mandy’, or ‘Molly’ (as it’s colloquially known in the UK & US
respectively), was initially used clinically to experimentally treat PTSD, anxiety and
depression in the 1970s, and is coming full circle with newer studies looking into its
potential benefits (albeit at much lower concentrations). New research even
suggests that MDMA-Assisted Therapy could be a promising treatment for
Narcissistic Personality Disorder due to its ability to decrease reactivity to perceived
criticism and enhance emotional empathy.
The Comedown
The excess release of serotonin following ingestion of MDMA in turn causes the
brain to become significantly depleted of serotonin, which contributes to the negative
psychological after effects that people may experience for several days. Common
side effects during the recovery period are similar to those of cocaine due to the
resemblance in the mode of action: depression, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, fatigue
and memory and attention trouble. Repeated long term use can also lead to a
reduction of serotonergic neurons, lowering overall serotonin which can lead to poor
memory and depression longer term.
Offender number four: Ketamine
Alcohol, cocaine and MDMA all share their highs sourced in the increase of feel-
good chemicals. Ketamine, an increasingly popular ‘party drug’, operates in a very
different way. It is actually a general anaesthetic (or as some people refer to it: horse
tranquiliser). It was used first in a veterinary setting, before being approved as a
human anaesthetic in the 1970s. When used in a medical setting, it can be a useful
alternative to other forms of anaesthesia as it doesn’t suppress breathing, and in lower doses it is often used to manage pain. ‘K’ reduces sensation in the body, and
can bring on periods of dream-like, dissociated and detached feelings, resulting in
chilled, relaxed and happy sensations (with a high risk of confusion and nausea).
Ketamine takes effect after about 15 minutes and lasts for around an hour. It is also
hallucinogenic to some extent and can alter perception of time and space, or create
‘trippy’ visual distortions. It has been known to be fatal if taken while drunk.
Ketamine’s numbing properties relate to the third neurotransmitter we looked at
earlier: glutamate. The drug is a complex substance which is being explored
extensively in medical settings, but it is believed to trigger an initial surge of
glutamate, followed by a blocking of the receptors. The surge causes the
psychomimetic effects, while the receptor blocking is the source of the anaesthetic
and painkilling effect. It chemically inhibits the transportation and reception of
glutamate in your nerves, which means the other neurons don’t get the message
further down the line.
There is a significant amount of research being dedicated to the exploration of
ketamine as therapy for people with treatment-resistant depression or suicidality.
Early stage lab tests indicate that this might be down to its ability to reactivate
dormant or “closed down” synapses that have been shut down due to chronic stress
and depression.
The dark side: Taking too much ketamine, also known as a ‘K-hole’, leads to an
excess of the anaesthetising effect, loss of bodily autonomy and inability to move. It
might feel like your mind and body have separated, for instance, some people report
“feeling like they are sitting in the corner of the ceiling, unable to partake in the
room”. It can also be dangerous in general due to its anaesthetic effect; people often
harm themselves without feeling it in the moment at all. Actor Matthew Perry’s tragic
drowning incident was due to a ketamine overdose that led to the body failing to
respond to danger. Frequent use can cause renal failure and bladder damage by
forming lesions, which leads to constantly needing the toilet, and in the most severe
cases - removal of the bladder and a lifelong need for urostomy bags.
The Comedown
During the comedown while the drug wears off and the brain chemistry tries to right
itself, you will likely feel low and anxious, as with most (but not all) mind-altering
substances. What goes up, must come down as the old adage goes - and it is
surprisingly accurate when it comes to your neurotransmitter levels after a big ol’
bender.
Help, I’m all out of serotonin!
The common factor across the alcohol and recreational substances we’ve looked at
is the way they modify the brain’s usual signalling pathways to really ramp up the
molecules that reward us and make us feel good. But by using lots in one go, there
is a shortage for a while, where we experience the opposite effects like anxiety and low mood. You might not just be feeling blue because you’re missing the vibes, it’s
very likely chemical… (depending on what you indulged in)!
This also aligns with the monoamine hypothesis of depression: depressive
symptoms are caused by impairment of the monoamine systems, which include
serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. In other words, when there’s lots of them
we feel extra good, but when they are reduced we feel low.
Luckily for us, mushrooms are here to help! There is plenty of evidence of mushroom
extracts positively affecting the neurotransmitter pathways, and Lion’s mane, Reishi
and Chaga can also support some of the other physical functions in the body. Let’s
take a look:
The Festival Fungi Line Up
Lion’s Mane: The All-Rounder
This marvellous mushroom really is a jack of all trades, with potent body and brain
boosting properties. Like a lot of mushrooms, Lion’s Mane contains antioxidants,
which will help your body soothe any inflammation and irritation. It also notably
enhances gastroprotection, strengthening the lining of the stomach as well as
safeguarding the underlying epithelium against damaging agents like alcohol. This
might be extra useful if you overindulged and your stomach said no thank you,
rejecting excess alcohol and causing more inflammation by displacing stomach acid.
There are also some specific studies showing Lion’s Mane to boost liver function,
giving it a hand in clearing out both alcohol and the main hangover culprit
acetaldehyde.
Lion’s Mane has lots of active compounds, including erinacines, hericenones and
isohericenols that stimulate nerve growth factor production and in animal studies
produce effects similar to conventional antidepressant medications. Lion’s Mane’s
neuroprotective and antidepressant properties are believed to stem from its
modulation of the gut brain axis and its anti-inflammatory effects. The small
molecular size of those compounds mean they can cross the blood brain barrier and
they also positively regulate the gut microbiota, which is closely linked to the
production of key neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
Reishi: The Serotonin Saviour
In some studies, Reishi is shown to regulate the serotonergic synapse pathway, by
changing gene regulation and telling the cells which transmitters to produce,
regulating serotonin back to normal levels. Deficiency in serotonin has shown to
cause wakefulness and difficulty sleeping, and norepinephrine and dopamine also
play a big part in regulating the switch to wakefulness, and Reishi can help stabilise
these. Ganoderic Acid A is one of the many compounds in Reishi that has been
shown to also soothe depressive-like behaviours in mice, by impacting the mouse
brain synaptic functions. It has also been found to contain an “antidepressant peptide”, which in trials enhanced viability and DNA content in injured brain cells. Reishi also modifies gut bacteria composition for the better, which is closely tied to
better sleep. In other words, it’s a serotonin-saviour, both in the brain balance and in
the gut production environment.
Chaga: Your Immune System’s Best Friend
Current research around this remarkable fungus is centred around its documented
ability to battle cancers! Its anti-cancer properties stem from its regulation of
cytokines and other molecules in the body that target and kill bad cells. This is
closely linked to the immune system, with Chaga also being a strong antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory, which is great to rebalance the body after putting it through a lot of strain. Studies have shown it to protect against oxidative stress in brain cells, which
alongside the neurotransmitter stabilisation of the other fungal friends we’ve looked
at makes for a real brain-soother. Chaga will happily lend a helping hand to fight off
small colds that you’re probably susceptible to after wearing the body’s defences thin
in a field somewhere! It has also been found to reduce blood pressure, which is
raised by MDMA, cocaine and ketamine alike.
It’s All About The Post-Rave Revival
Festival season doesn't have to mean accepting days of misery as the inevitable
price of good times. By understanding what's actually happening in your brain and
body – from the dopamine rush of that first drink to the acetaldehyde aftermath – you
can make more informed choices about both indulgence and recovery. While there's
no magic bullet to completely eliminate the consequences of overindulgence (and
perhaps that's for the best), nature offers some surprisingly effective allies in
medicinal mushrooms. Whether you're dealing with inflammation, neurotransmitter
depletion, or just trying to give your liver some extra support, these fungi provide a
science-backed approach to bouncing back faster. Your future self will thank you
when you're dancing again instead of lying in a tent wondering why you thought that
last shot was a good idea.
Grab Your Functional Fungi Festival Bundle
Our Festival Recovery Bundle consists of our 3 of most popular tinctures to help support recovery, body and mind.
A tried and tested trio featuring the neuro-protective and gut-loving benefits of
Lions mane, anti-inflammatory magic ft. big ol' hug for your nervous system from
Reishi, and the antioxidant, mineral boosting super powers of Chaga.
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