Recently, here at Ocean Ridge, we have noticed an increase in the popularity of a small blue bottle labeled “Feel Free.” At the time of this writing, the “classic” version of this tonic is legally sold to persons over the age of 21, although the warning label contains a strong caution: “This product contains leaf kratom, which, like caffeine and alcohol, may be habit-forming and harmful if consumed irresponsibly. Avoid if you have a history of substance abuse.” We’d like to shed some light on this tonic and answer some questions about the Feel Free drink from a recovery perspective.
Start Your Journey By Getting Help Today
Our medical, clinical, and counseling staffs on site are available 24/7.
What is Feel Free?
Feel Free is an age-restricted legal (at this time) herbal tonic advertised to promote relaxation while enhancing energy and focus. It is currently sold in a blue 2-ounce bottle and is manufactured by Botanic Tonics. You must be 21 years of age or older to purchase it. While kratom is not currently classified as a controlled substance at the federal level in the United States, the DEA and SAMHSA have both issued warnings about its potential for abuse, dependence, and serious side effects. See the DEA factsheet listing Kratom as a drug of concern, for example.
How Feel Free is Used
Feel Free “Classic,” the version of Feel Free that contains leaf kratom and kava root, is sold in 2-ounce bottles. The instructions on the label are to take one ounce (half the bottle) by mouth at a time. The label also advises customers not to exceed the entire 2-ounce bottle in a 24-hour period. Some users, however, consume more than the directed amount; in some cases, much more.
Effects of Taking Feel Free Drinks
The effects of Feel Free drinks vary from person to person. Anecdotal reports indicate that the short-term effects can include mild euphoria, calm, mood lift, or “relaxed focus.”
The downside, however, is the aftereffects of drinking it. Coming down from consuming Feel Free may trigger feelings of anxiety and unpredictable mood shifts. Moreover, symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and headaches are reported after the initial effects have subsided.
Is the Feel Free Drink Really Safe?
While it is a legal beverage (for consumers over the age of 21) and it is marketed as an “all-natural” wellness drink, that doesn’t mean Feel Free is safe to consume, and here’s why:
- The active ingredient, kratom, can be addictive. Dependency may develop, which can be harmful to health.
- Individuals addicted to kratom, such as found in Free Feel, may also encounter health problems when attempting to discontinue use, as withdrawal symptoms can be severe in some cases.
- The other active ingredient, kava, is a sedative, which may lead to slow motor skills, poor judgment, or risky behavior.
- Kava, if taken without medical guidance, has been known to cause liver damage.
- The Feel Free drink can cause health complications in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Feel Free may have negative interactions when taken at high dosages and may cause health complications when consumed with alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications.
Feel Free Drink is Not What You Think
When you ask someone, “What is Feel Free?” you’re likely to get various responses, and not all of them are accurate.
Feel Free marketing is deceptive, using buzzwords like “botanical,” “tonic,” “organic,” or “all-natural.” Consumers see the packaging and read the label, and often assume that, simply because the product contains natural ingredients, it must be okay to drink. This, however, isn’t the case.
The FDA has repeatedly published warnings on the addictive effects of kratom, as well as cited possible links to liver damage in connection with kava consumption.
So-called wellness products, such as Feel Free and energy shots or herbal tonics, are easily available at gas stations and convenience stores, making them seem harmless. But as growing research reveals, the psychoactive botanical ingredients in these products are grossly underregulated and not FDA-approved for the uses listed on the packaging.
Negative Effects of Feel Free Drinks
While each individual experience is different, Feel Free can cause both physical and mental side effects such as:
Physical side effects of Feel Free can include: nausea, headaches, dizziness, liver damage, dependency, gastrointestinal distress, dry mouth, itching, sweating, weakness, fatigue, shaking, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, fluctuation in appetite, and muscle aches.
Mental side effects may include: irritability, mood swings, restlessness, anxiety, depression, sleep disruptions, brain fog, emotional numbness, impaired judgment, psychological dependence, and exacerbation of preexisting psychological conditions.
Can You Get Addicted to Feel Free?
The kratom in Feel Free is a mild opiate, and clinical studies show that kratom can lead to dependence. Therefore, this product can lead to addiction in some people.
To elaborate, when an individual continues to use the Feel Free drink to achieve the desired results, they may become dependent on it. Over time, the dependency can lead to an addiction, which is when a person must increase and continue taking the product in order for the body and mind to feel “normal.”
In this case, yes, Feel Free has the potential to become addictive. If you or a loved one has an addiction to the psychoactive botanicals in this product, Ocean Ridge is here to help with our Feel Free detox program. Reach out to us today, and let’s talk about how we can develop a healthy drug rehab plan that can effectively help you overcome addiction to Feel Free or similar substances that are prohibiting you from living your best life.
Are There Withdrawals From Feel Free?
Withdrawal symptoms from Feel Free can be unpleasant and significantly impact daily life. For instance, discontinuing this product can lead to a loss of focus, making it difficult to work or perform routine tasks. Withdrawal can also leave individuals feeling sluggish and exhausted, reducing productivity. Additionally, getting off Feel Free can make one emotionally raw; irritability, social withdrawal, and overall depression can negatively impact social interactions.
Detox From Feel Free Drink
Are you using the Feel Free drink more and more, just to feel “normal”? Do you have cravings for it, or do you feel like your usage of Feel Free has become unmanageable? If using the product has compromised your work, relationships, or mental health, it may be time to seek help.
Ocean Ridge offers medical detox for individuals who have developed a dependency on Feel Free or other similar psychoactive botanicals. Medical detox offers our clients a way to gently and safely wean off addictive substances under clinical supervision. We offer comprehensive detox programs that provide physical and mental support to help you regain balance.
Treatment Options for Feel Free Misuse
Exploring treatment options can result in higher success in getting off Feel Free, and the right rehab program can be significantly beneficial:
- Residential treatment allows for safe monitoring in a peaceful environment while you withdraw. This option can help you avoid uncomfortable or health-harming side effects while focusing on recovery.
- Evidence-based therapies such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR, plus behavioral, family, and motivational therapies, all contribute to sustainable, long-term recovery from Feel Free drink addiction.
- Aftercare plans are essential for ensuring lasting recovery, with contingencies and strategies in place to help you counteract cravings and avoid relapse.
Can You Die from Taking Feel Free Drinks?
There have been deaths linked to individuals taking the ingredients in Feel Free at high levels, or in combination with other substances such as alcohol or drugs. However, there are no definitive reports on deaths directly caused by consumers using the Botanic Tonics brand, Feel Free drink.
Instances of death are rare. However, growing concerns about this product’s negative health effects are worth noting. Specifically, healthcare professionals are keenly concerned about the impact of using Feel Free at high doses, leading to overdose, or mixing it with other substances, which could lead to significant health risks, and in some cases, death. Other concerns revolve around potential liver failure, which is a common consequence of alcohol use disorder.
Considering the kratom and kava combination found in Feel Free may lead to life-threatening conditions such as toxicity, heart complications, seizures, respiratory failure, and liver failure, Ocean Ridge offers proactive treatment plans that help our clients avoid these health-harming situations through proven clinical strategies and restorative therapies.
When to Seek Professional Help
Are you finding it difficult to stop or cut back from using Feel Free? Are withdrawal symptoms interfering with your daily life? Are you noticing personality changes that don’t align with your true self? If you answered yes to any of these questions, or the use of Feel Free is prohibiting you from working, damaging your relationships, or impeding your ability to function daily, it might be time to seek professional help.
How Ocean Ridge Can Help
If what might have seemed like an innocent sample of a product marketed as “botanical tonic” or “natural health booster” has grown into dependence, we’re here to help. Ocean Ridge supports people in overcoming unhealthy relationships with substances, including Feel Free drinks. We offer a judgment-free, compassionate, medically supervised environment that empowers our clients to regain balance in their lives and finally break free from the negative influence of substance use.
We’re here to answer any questions you may have, from “what is Feel Free drink” to “what does authentic rehabilitation really look like.” Reach out to us today, and let’s get started on achieving your vision for living an unencumbered life of optimal opportunities and renewed health.
Start Your Journey By Getting Help Today
Our medical, clinical, and counseling staffs on site are available 24/7.
Simon Abkarian is the Admissions Director with a focus on client care, overseeing comfort, and ensuring exceptional service. With four years of dedicated experience, Simon is committed to the success and well-being of every individual he serves. He brings a strong foundation in his own recovery journey, providing empathetic support and guidance to those seeking assistance.
Beyond his professional role, Simon is passionate about fostering a supportive environment and empowering others on their paths to recovery. His personal commitment to wellness and growth enriches his approach to admissions and client care, ensuring a compassionate and effective support system for all.
