In the 19th century all kinds of “snake oil” mixtures were sold as pain killers and energy tonics. The vast majority were just something suspended in alcohol. Alcohol dulls pain and makes you feel a rush of euphoria. So people thought it was “medicine.”
It continues to this day. My wife was convinced that a certain kombucha was benefitting her gut microbiome in some profound way because it made her feel so great to drink it. Turns out the brand got in trouble - their process was letting through 1.5-2% alcohol (yes my wife is a lightweight).
We like to talk about drugs like there’s this clear delineation between something that is and isn’t medicine… but it really comes down to the situation and the dosage.
For much of history and in most places, liquor was the most effective painkiller available. More recently, fentanyl started as a synthetic, medical grade painkiller. It’s still widely used across hospitals for that. Before synthetics, it was opium (otherwise known as heroin), derived from poppy plants.
Not just painkiller, a bit of alcohol will kill tons of nasties, so it was often the case that lightly fermented drinks are safer and healthier than many water sources.
Funnily enough I think now they sell a “hard” version that’s something like 1.5% so you can actually go have that fun! They’re just doing it legally now, with all proper labeling and licensing.
In the 19th century all kinds of “snake oil” mixtures were sold as pain killers and energy tonics. The vast majority were just something suspended in alcohol. Alcohol dulls pain and makes you feel a rush of euphoria. So people thought it was “medicine.”
It continues to this day. My wife was convinced that a certain kombucha was benefitting her gut microbiome in some profound way because it made her feel so great to drink it. Turns out the brand got in trouble - their process was letting through 1.5-2% alcohol (yes my wife is a lightweight).
We like to talk about drugs like there’s this clear delineation between something that is and isn’t medicine… but it really comes down to the situation and the dosage.
For much of history and in most places, liquor was the most effective painkiller available. More recently, fentanyl started as a synthetic, medical grade painkiller. It’s still widely used across hospitals for that. Before synthetics, it was opium (otherwise known as heroin), derived from poppy plants.
Very true. The difference between medicine and poison is often just dosage.
Heroin is made from opium. It’s not the same.
Not just painkiller, a bit of alcohol will kill tons of nasties, so it was often the case that lightly fermented drinks are safer and healthier than many water sources.
What brand?
White Claw
Michelob Ultra
Mike’s hard lemonade
Grain Belt
Mm yup. Fruit juice.
CHIT!
GT’s, around 15 years ago
Aww. I like their stuff. But I didn’t get to have more alchy fun! I started trying theirs out like 5 years ago.
Funnily enough I think now they sell a “hard” version that’s something like 1.5% so you can actually go have that fun! They’re just doing it legally now, with all proper labeling and licensing.