Can You Get High on Tea? Understanding the "Tea Drunk" Phenomenon

When you hear the term “getting high,” substances like cannabis or alcohol might come to mind. However, tea lovers often talk about achieving a "Tea High" or getting "Tea drunk" from their favorite brew. In this blog, we explore the effects of tea that lead to a uniquely pleasing feeling and look at common types of tea linked with this experience. Open your mind for a fun journey into the surprising world of tea.

The Science Behind Getting Tea Drunk  

Getting tea drunk involves a shift in your mental state, where you achieve high focus and alertness along with a soothing effect. Unlike the side effects associated with intoxicating substances like alcohol or cannabis, getting tea drunk does not lead to negative outcomes.

To understand how tea affects the body, we need to look at its chemical composition. Tea enthusiasts may be familiar with key compounds like L-theanine, caffeine, and catechins. These components work together to create the sensation of being tea drunk.

Key Compounds in Tea

To understand how tea affects the body, we need to look at its chemical composition. Tea enthusiasts may be familiar with key compounds like L-theanine, caffeine, and catechins. These components work together to create the sensation of being tea drunk.

Caffeine

Found in all true teas, caffeine can elevate your alertness and focus for several hours when consumed in slightly higher amounts. It combines with catechins to form larger molecules that the body breaks down slowly, extending the energizing effects of caffeine. Be mindful of caffeine intake as excessive consumption can lead to insomnia, fast heart rate, headaches, and dizziness.

Catechins

Teas high in antioxidants contain significant amounts of catechins. These not only offer health benefits but also induce a psychoactive reaction by relaxing your mind. Catechins interact with endocannabinoid receptors in your brain, contributing to the sensation of getting high from tea.

L-theanine

Commonly found in all true teas, L-theanine reduces anxiety and stress. It subdues and metabolizes the effects of caffeine to stimulate brainwaves, resulting in improved cognitive performance with a boost in creativity, concentration, and mental alertness.

Therefore, when L-theanine, caffeine, and catechins form a cocktail, it provides you with a positive sensation of getting high with tea.

Common Types of Tea and Their Psychoactive Effect 

Teas can change the way you think or feel, with potential impacts ranging from positive to negative. Here, we focus on teas with beneficial effects:

Green Tea 

Green tea is the “King” of tea; when it is about boosting focus and concentration. Though it contains minimal caffeine compared to other true teas, the stimulant is adequate to lower anxiety by binding with L-theanine and epigallocatechin compounds, which are plentiful in green tea. This tea with antioxidant attributes is great for controlling the excessive release of stress hormones, aiding you to feel relaxed and energetic.

Black Tea 

Black tea is considered the tea with the most caffeine. Therefore, you can expect to achieve a high level of concentration and mental alertness with this tea. 

Additionally, L-theanine compounds work closely with the high caffeine in black tea to aid the feeling of peacefulness and relaxation for a longer period. 

Oolong Tea  

Oolong tea is highly praised for improved brain activity, thanks to abundant beneficial compounds such as L-theanine, caffeine, and EGCG polyphenols. These compounds are especially linked with the performance of the hippocampus, the brain area associated with memory and learning.

Is getting high from drinking tea safe?

While getting "tea high" or "tea drunk" is generally safe, excessive intake can cause side effects like dizziness, nausea, and insomnia. To enjoy the positive effects of tea without adverse effects:

• Do not drink tea on an empty stomach to avoid digestive issues.
• Choose high-quality tea leaves rich in catechins and L-theanine.
• Limit caffeine intake to avoid restlessness and other side effects.

How to Get Tea-Drunk Safely

To make the most of the psychoactive effects of tea, consider the following factors:

Eat Before You Drink

To maximize the antioxidants, eat something before drinking tea. Avoid drinking tea on a full stomach as it slows down the tea absorption process in your body.

Choose True Teas 

Herbal tea may be less impactful due to the absence of caffeine. True teas contain caffeine, crucial for getting tea drunk. Use them in any form - as a tea bag or loose-leaf tea, both types of tea's effects on the body are fruitful.  

Follow The Right Brewing Method

The brewing temperature, process, and timing vary from tea to tea. For instance, black tea typically requires 90-98 degrees, whereas green tea requires 80 degrees to extract the best flavor.

Enjoy Slowly

Teas are meant to be enjoyed slowly. This allows you to feel a unique sensation with each sip to get different levels of satisfaction and happiness.           

Smoking Tea: An Alternative to Drinking 

While drinking tea is the most common way to enjoy its benefits, some people explore smoking tea. This method involves rolling tea leaves in rolling papers and smoking them. The benefits of smoking tea include lowered anxiety levels, and improved focus, and memory. However, inhaling anything burning, including tea, can irritate your lungs and damage tissues.

FAQs 

What type of tea gets you high? 

The caffeine, L-theanine, and catechin compounds in tea play a crucial role in getting high. Black tea, oolong tea, and green tea are commonly available teas that can get you high.  

Can you smoke tea? 

Smoking tea may provide a feeling of getting high. However, drinking tea is recommended as smoking can irritate your lungs and damage tissues.

Can you get drunk off tea? 

Yes, you can get drunk off tea, especially with those rich in catechins, L-theanine, and caffeine. 

How long does tea high last? 

Tea high usually lasts for 4 to 6 hours, depending on tea types, amount of consumption, and your body's metabolism system.

Conclusion

Can you get high on tea? Absolutely, but it’s different from the highs associated with substances like marijuana or alcohol. Tea offers a positive psychoactive effect that supports mental health without the risks. If you’re interested in experiencing a "tea high," Danfe Tea, sourced from the high Himalayan region of Nepal, provides tea leaves perfect for this purpose due to their high L-theanine content.

Buy the Finest Loose-Leaf Teas from the Himalayas 

Danfe Tea brings you the finest loose-leaf teas in the Himalayas. With robust flavors and many health benefits, we invite you to try our high-quality black teas. These teas are available in 2.5-3.5 oz or 1 lb variants. We also offer monthly subscriptions to these products.