Some people deeply immersed in tea culture claim that the drink puts them in a unique state, a sort of "tea intoxication." But tea contains no alcohol at all. So where did this notion come from? We set out to find whether tea actually alters perception or if it's simply an unusual myth.
Where the term "Tea Intoxication" comes from
The term originated in China and has nothing to do with alcohol-induced consciousness alteration. Quite the opposite. During the height of Chinese Buddhism, monks actively promoted tea: they drank it before and after meditation, spread enchanting legends about its origins, and shared it with laypeople. These monks sought less sleep and a serene mindset—goals tea indeed helped them achieve.
In the 4th century, Buddhism, along with tea-drinking culture, gained favor with the country’s ruling elite. Aristocrats of the time replaced wine with tea, leading to the phrase "intoxication by sobriety." Tea entered every household and became a ritual drink. Tea gatherings inspired poetry, paintings, and special ceramic wares for ceremonies.
One of tea's advocates, a Buddhist-trained poet named Lu Yu, created an extensive treatise called the Tea Classic in the 8th century. This text describes tea’s origins, the geography of its cultivation, processing methods, and brewing techniques. Lu Yu championed simplicity and a clear mind, which tea could bring. In his treatise, he wrote, “If you drink tea long enough, you will feel uplifted.”
Thus, in the Buddhist tradition, "tea intoxication" resembles a sense of harmony and a very sober, objective view of reality.
In the song "Tea Drunkard," rappers Basta and Guf praise Chinese tea traditions and compare the effect of pu-erh tea to that of a drug, emphasizing its "captivating power." However, no tea variety produces such an effect.
How tea affects consciousness
Tea doesn’t alter your perception of reality, nor does it induce euphoria or intoxicate like alcohol. However, it does affect the brain, as numerous studies confirm.
There's no distinct "special" state that one could achieve by drinking a cup or two. Tea won’t bring euphoria—unless it's the highly concentrated prison-style chifir, which is more likely to harm the body. Good tea can either invigorate or relax, depending on the variety, the amount consumed, and a person's unique physiology.
Science has shown that regular tea consumption has a beneficial impact on health. This drink:
Positively affects the brain,
Enhances memory, attention, and mood,
Stimulates creativity,
Reduces anxiety and stress,
Helps alleviate stress and promotes relaxation,
Can serve as a preventative measure for depression.
This is all linked to three key compounds present in all tea varieties. Caffeine (also known as theine) helps fight fatigue and drowsiness, increases alertness, and boosts energy. Catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), reduce the risk of age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia. L-theanine calms nerves, mitigates stress, normalizes blood pressure, and smooths out the stimulating effects of caffeine.
Together, these compounds influence mood. Their effect on the brain's alpha waves can create a state of alert relaxation and calm.
Which teas improve mood the most
Green Tea: Helps with focus and provides alertness due to caffeine and L-theanine.
Mate: Contains up to 1.8% caffeine (sometimes called mateine in analogy to theine). For a quick wake-up and energy boost, brew mate.
Jasmine Tea: Stimulates mental activity and attentiveness, helps with focus, and lifts mood.
GABA Tea: Reduces stress, increases resilience to negative factors, and benefits the nervous system thanks to its high gamma-aminobutyric acid content.
Mint Tea: The menthol and cineole in mint calm nerves, relieve headaches, and improve appetite and mood.
Ginger Tea: Packed with vitamins and beneficial substances, ginger tea warms and invigorates.
Rooibos: Soothes, uplifts mood, and helps with sleep. Additionally, it may reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone).
Pu-erh Tea: Energizes, reduces fatigue, boosts productivity, and enhances focus.
Herbal Tea with St. John’s Wort and Lemon Balm: St. John's Wort extract is used to treat neuroses and anxiety disorders. Its unique chemical composition, including amentoflavone, hyperforin, and hypericin, blocks pain receptors and elevates serotonin and dopamine levels.
Turmeric Tea: Boosts memory and also increases dopamine and serotonin production.
How much tea can be safely consumed?
There are no strict limits on tea quantity. Some people can drink six cups of black tea a day without issue, while others are content with just one. Some sleep soundly after green tea, while others experience insomnia. As a precaution, avoid stimulating teas at night. Doctors also advise against drinking tea on an empty stomach.