Russ Cersosimo Jr: Plant-Based Potions & Power of Astrological Awakening | EP4Russ Cersosimo Jr: Plant-Based Potions & Power of Astrological Awakening | EP4
Mocktails Or Messy
Ryan and Kelly sit down with Russ Cersosimo Jr to talk kava, kratom, cannabis tech, mocktail “buzz” and astrology, all framed by his move away from heavy drinking. The conversation mixes science, humour and personal stories about using plants instead of alcohol for relaxation and connection.
1:12:39•7 Feb 2024
Plant Potions, Mocktail Buzz and Cosmic Insights with Russ Cersosimo Jr
Episode Overview
- Plant-based products like kava and kratom tinctures can offer social relaxation, pain relief and sleep support without alcohol or THC.
- Mocktails and even simple soda water in a fancy glass can create a strong placebo effect that helps people stay social while drinking less.
- Mixing alcohol and cannabis is described as a bad combination, with Russ warning that crossfading can quickly lead to feeling "totally faded" and out of control.
- Microencapsulation technology can make cannabis dosing more consistent and efficient, turning oils into powders and avoiding long, overpowering edible highs.
- Detox habits, spring water, and small daily swaps towards healthier choices are highlighted as ways to support clearer thinking and reduce reliance on booze.
“I think it's because a, booze makes you stupid. And eventually smart people catch on to it makes you stupid.”
What can we learn from those who have battled addiction? Mocktails Or Messy brings together Ryan Frankowski, Kelly Mizgorski and guest Russ Cersosimo Jr. at Optimal Reach Media Studios for a high-energy chat about swapping booze for plant-based "potions", geeking out on science, and rethinking what we reach for when we want to relax.
You’ll hear Russ introduce Feel Free, a kava and kratom tincture he uses "as if it was liquor" for social lubrication, pain relief and even better sleep. He explains exactly how the alkaloids work, why it tastes so strong, and how some people use it to move away from opiates.
He’s clear there’s no alcohol and no THC in it – just plants – but also blunt about what he sees in alcohol culture: "booze makes you stupid… and eventually smart people catch on." From there, the conversation shifts to Hemp Synergistics, Russ’s biotech company that turns cannabis oil into a powder using microencapsulation so the body absorbs more cannabinoids without destroying them on the way down.
He describes it like a "Trojan horse" that sneaks the dose through the gut, and talks about making cannabis products behave more like alcohol in terms of timing, without the four-hour edible trap. For anyone curious about staying social while drinking less, Russ, Ryan and Kelly riff on the "placebo effect tipsy" of mocktails, fancy soda water and even "double secret mocktails". Russ warns strongly against crossfading: "You can't mix those two.
It's the dumbest thing ever," and shares how weed helped him slow down, listen more and become funnier instead of just louder. Things get delightfully weird with Russ’s stories about astrology, pyramids, vegan living, grounding pillows and liquid gummies, all wrapped in a fast, funny, very candid vibe.
If you’re wondering what else you could pour into your glass instead of alcohol – and want some plant-based ideas plus a few laughs – this one might spark some fresh questions about what actually makes you feel good.
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