#Cortisolcocktail

A viral health trend has spread on social media in Thailand and beyond: the so-called cortisol cocktail. This fizzy drink, often made with magnesium powder, coconut water, citrus juice, and sometimes Himalayan salt or sparkling water, is promoted as a natural way to reduce stress and improve sleep. Medical experts say the drink’s promised benefits are overstated, and science-backed results are limited at best.

The cocktail rose to popularity on TikTok and wellness communities online. Influencers claim the beverage lowers cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, by delivering key nutrients. In Thailand—where workplace stress and sleep problems are increasingly reported—this message resonates with working adults, students, and caregivers seeking accessible, natural remedies.

As viral health trends continue to sweep social media platforms in Thailand and beyond, the so-called “cortisol cocktail” — a fizzy blend claiming to ease stress and promote restful sleep — has become the latest wellness sensation. Despite its popularity, recent expert analysis reveals the health benefits touted by influencers may be overblown or, at best, rooted more in ritual than reliable science.

Originating on TikTok and other online wellness communities, the cortisol cocktail typically consists of magnesium powder, coconut water, citrus juice, and sometimes Himalayan salt or sparkling water. Influencers and practitioners promote the drink as a relaxation tool, attributing its power to lower levels of cortisol — the body’s stress hormone. In a region like Thailand, where rates of workplace stress and sleep problems have risen in recent years (WHO), the drink’s promise to provide relief resonates deeply with working adults, students, and caregivers seeking natural antidotes to daily pressures.

A viral wellness trend on TikTok has popularized an alcohol-free drink called the cortisol cocktail. Followers mix coconut water, orange juice, lemon, magnesium powder, sea salt, and sometimes sparkling water. Creators claim the beverage lowers cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, and improves sleep, relaxation, and even weight management. Medical experts urge caution and point to the lack of solid clinical evidence.

In Thailand, creators have adapted the recipe with regional twists—different citrus varieties and Thai coconut water brands—sharing personal stories of calmer days after drinking it. The trend mirrors a broader concern: stress is widespread in fast-paced urban life, from Bangkok to smaller towns. Data from mental health authorities show rising reports of stress and burnout among workers and students, underscoring the need for safe, evidence-based coping strategies.

A new wellness trend known as the “cortisol cocktail” has taken TikTok by storm, with users around the world — including in Thailand — mixing up alcohol-free mocktails touted to reduce stress and lower the body’s main stress hormone, cortisol. But while influencers and wellness bloggers swear by the drink’s benefits, medical experts remain skeptical, emphasizing the lack of robust clinical evidence supporting these claims and urging caution for certain groups of people.