The DREAM BIG Alcohol Detox Protocol is designed to help you manage stress & energy without the need for alcohol. While other programs & protocols typically fail to address the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, the DREAM BIG protocol ensures that you have a practical & reliable solution for issues such as cravings, restlessness, and low mood. On top of that, you’ll have a way to manage stress that doesn’t withdraw from your energy ‘bank account’. 

This is about more than popping pills, however, and expecting things to change. For your protocol to be effective, it has to be backed up by thoughtful action. Take some time to consider what you will do with more time & energy, along with the motivation & focus to make those things happen.

Persons with ADHD, Bipolar, and ASPD are the most likely ‘personality types’ to develop alcohol dependency. These types have a high demand for the noradrenaline, the neurotransmitter mainly responsible for focus. For different reasons, these ‘personality types’ are also sensitive to the neurotransmitter dopamine. When dopamine is regulated and noradrenaline is activated, these people can achieve high states of focus. For ADHD and bipolar types, this heightened level of focus extends to holding multiple ideas in consciousness simultaneously due to high levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This is what makes some ADHD types great inventors and innovators; they tend to perceive the subtle relationships between things that can have a profound impact when thoughtfully combined. Similarly, many bipolar types are exceptional creators & artists because of their ability to perceive subtle relationships and express them in ways that capture our attention through their creativity and/or uniqueness.

When supplements are used to increase dopamine (some of which converts to noradrenaline), applying a type of cannabis that activates dopamine & noradrenaline results in a high state of focus, similar to what you might experience when meditating for an extended period of time.

If you find yourself getting overzealous about things, something is out of balance. It could be too much dopamine, too much noradrenaline, or both. Backing off dopamine precursors and lowering the dose of cannabis are logical places to start. Balancing out some of the effects from THC with CBD can also support a more stable response to cannabis.

“Hey, I said we were just going for a ride around the neighborhood.”

Supplies

The ‘chemicals’ you’ll need to get started

Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin)

If you’ve been consuming alcohol on a regular basis, it’s likely you’re deficient in one or more B vitamins. B12 is the most critical for optimal dopamine function, plus it supports neuron regeneration (an added bonus when you consider that alcohol actually shrinks your brain).

Tyrosine or Dopa Mucuna

Tyrosine and Dopa Mucuna are dopamine precursors that are helpful in resolving dopamine deficiency. Which one is best for you depends on certain lifestyle factors as well as other neurotransmitter states. Schedule a free discovery call to find out which supplement option is best for your needs.

Eleuthero or Panax Ginseng

Once you’ve started to address dopamine/noradrenaline deficiency with cofactors like vitamin B12 and precursors like tyrosine or Dopa Mucuna, you’ll want to promote activation and regulation of these neurotransmitters. Eleuthero and Panax Ginseng are herbal supplements can have a profound effect on dopamine and noradrenaline status, although they each have some additional benefits that are better suited to certain lifestyle factors. Schedule a free discovery call to find out which supplement option is best for your needs.

Agmatine or DL-Phenylalanine (optional)

Depending on your level of alcohol dependency, you may need a little extra ‘fire power’ when it comes to addressing withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, nervousness, and mood swings. While cannabis is still going to be the main solution, supplements such as agmatine and DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA) can help you deal with any unresolved ‘ill feelings’ that might show up. How is that possible? By increasing endorphins! Besides having a direct effect on mood and stress tolerance, endorphins also stimulate dopamine release. Agmatine and DLPA both have this effect, although through different mechanisms. Schedule a free discovery call to find out which supplement option is best for your needs.

Cannabis for Alcohol Detox

When it comes to replacing alcohol with cannabis, there are few things to know before you head off to the nearest dispensary. Specifically there are 3 factors to pay attention to if you want reliable and consistent results. The first is the amounts (& proportions) of the chemicals in cannabis that promote healthy dopamine & noradrenaline function. After that is the time-of-day in which you are planning to use cannabis. And third is the state of your neurochemistry at that time.

In terms of the chemical composition of cannabis, the terpenes caryophyllene and terpinolene are the most important, as they have the greatest effects on dopamine activation and regulation. While caryophyllene regulates dopamine, terpinolene stimulates the release of endorphins, which promotes dopamine release. Of course there are going to be other chemicals that may be relevant depending on the status of other neurotransmitters like serotonin, GABA, and acetylcholine. A few common types of cannabis that contain relevant amounts of these chemicals include the terpene profiles terpinolene-caryophyllene-myrcene (TCM) and terpinolene-ocimene-caryophyllene (TOC). If endorphin deficiency is not an issue for you, other profiles with adequate amounts of caryophyllene may also work. Schedule a free discovery call to find out which cannabis options are best for your needs.

Taking into account the time-of-day in which you plan to use cannabis is important because your neurochemistry fluctuates based on circadian rhythms. Second to that is the state of other neurotransmitters which may require additional support.

If you want to lock-in this kind of change, you need to infuse purpose into what you’re doing. Following the protocol is a great start, just make sure that the time and energy you reclaim is put to good use. Experiencing tangible benefits (besides feeling like a rock star) that will have a direct impact on your productivity, relationships, and communities is the key to sustainable success.