The Future of Social Drinking: What Our Research Study Reveals About 23rd State THC Beverages

There is a quiet revolution happening in the cooler.

It does not shout. It does not burn. It does not ask you to sacrifice tomorrow morning for tonight’s fun.

At 23rd State, we set out to create THC-infused beverages that feel modern, measured, and built for real life. Products like SHAKE, Blush Crush, and Fresh Press were designed for social ease, not social chaos. For connection without collapse. For presence without penalty.

And now we have the data to prove it.

After analyzing more than 18,000 product-use day observations, in partnership with our study provider Morebetter, our research study reveals something powerful:

Most participants felt effects within 40 minutes, experienced a mild and pleasant 2–3 hour window, reported no hangover, and the ones who used the product consistently saw dramatically better outcomes than those who didn’t.

This is not a marketing slogan. This is measured experience at scale.

Let’s unpack what that means for the future of THC beverages, alcohol alternatives, and the way we gather.

 

 

Understanding the THC Beverage Experience

One of the biggest barriers to adoption in cannabis beverages is expectation.

Alcohol gives near-instant feedback. You sip, you feel it. The loop is tight and familiar.

THC beverages operate differently.

They ramp.

And that ramp is where expectation either becomes satisfaction or confusion.

Read our FAQ.

 

Onset: The 20–40 Minute Window That Changes Everything

Across 18,065 product-use day observations, participants reported:

• ~64% felt effects within 40 minutes

• The most common window: 21–40 minutes (29.1%)

• On 13.1% of product-use days, participants felt no effects

This data confirms something essential:

This is not alcohol’s instant ignition. It is a gradual lift-off.

For brands in the THC beverage space, this is critical. If consumers expect immediate impact, they may overconsume or prematurely conclude “it didn’t work.”

That is why education is not optional. It is a product feature.

At 23rd State, our beverages are designed for a measured 20–40 minute onset, allowing the experience to unfold naturally. One can. Wait. Let it bloom.

 

Duration: A 2–3 Hour Social Sweet Spot

Of 15,693 duration observations:

• ~73% reported effects lasting 1–4 hours

• The most common window: 2–3 hours (28.9%)

• 13.5% of product-use days ended with participants falling asleep

That 2–3 hour window is the social Goldilocks zone.

Long enough to enjoy dinner, a concert, or a gathering.
Short enough to avoid the late-night spiral.

Our median start time across participants? 5:30 PM.

The modern wind-down hour.

One can or shot was typical (63.4%).
Used once per day (71.7%).

This is not excess. It is intention.

 

 

Intoxication: Manageable, Measured, and Rarely Overwhelming

The word “intoxication” carries baggage. It conjures chaos, loss of control, the wobble.

Our data tells a different story.

Across all product-use observations, participants were statistically unlikely to report feeling intoxicated (p < .05).

When intoxication was reported (N = 3,252 observations):

• 98.4% rated it barely noticeable to manageable

• Only 1.6% described it as severe or overwhelming

Let that land.

In a category often defined by fear of overconsumption, severe reactions were extraordinarily rare.

And when compared directly to alcohol:

• 75.8% of those who reported intoxication said it was less or significantly less than what they experience with alcohol

This matters.

When consumers are choosing between a beer and a THC beverage, “less intoxicating than alcohol” is not a small claim. It is a seismic one.

 

The High: Pleasant, Relaxed, and Rarely Negative

On 45.2% of product-use days, participants reported feeling high.

Of those instances (N = 8,162):

• 82.4% described it as pleasant

• 16.3% barely noticed it

• 1.2% found it unpleasant

The dominant type of high?

Relaxed (48.6%)

Not frenetic. Not chaotic. Not overwhelming.

Relaxed.

This aligns directly with how we formulate and position products like Blush Crush and Fresh Press. The goal is not intensity. The goal is ease.

An elevated state that pairs with conversation instead of hijacking it.

 

The Hangover Data: A Clear Alternative to Alcohol

Now for the stat that stops rooms.

On 95.8% of product-use days, participants reported zero hangover.

Zero.

In a culture increasingly aware of alcohol’s physical toll, this number matters more than ever.

The alcohol industry has long relied on social inertia. But consumers are evolving. They are seeking:

• Alcohol alternatives

• Low-dose THC drinks

• Cannabis beverages without next-day regret

Our research confirms what many consumers intuitively feel: THC beverages offer a radically different morning.

The future of social drinking may not be about drinking at all.

 

Positive Effects Dominate

Across product-use days, participants were statistically likely to report positive effects (p < .05).

Top reported experiences:

• Chill (~90%)

• Relaxed (~80%)

• Comfy (~70%)

• Happy (~60%)

• Peaceful (~57%)

This is not just about replacing alcohol. It is about replacing it with something better aligned to well-being.

In an age of burnout and overstimulation, people are not looking for louder. They are looking for softer.

Our beverages sit squarely in that lane.

 

Negative Effects: Transparent and Rare

Transparency builds trust.

Only 442 of 2,580 participants reported any negative effects across the entire study.

When negatives occurred, the average strength was 3.82 out of 10.

Top reported negatives:

• Headache (~25%)

• Anxiety (~22%)

• Dry mouth (~20%)

Notably, only 2.1% of non-use days were attributed to a bad reaction.

The most common reason participants skipped use?

“Didn’t want one today.” (43.1%)

That detail matters.

The product was not rejected. It was simply not desired that day.

That is very different from abandonment.

 

The Hidden Variable: Consistency Changes Everything

This is where the story gets interesting.

Across well-being, mood, sleep, and overall day ratings:

Participants who used the product more consistently reported the greatest improvements.

High-consistency users:

• Started with the lowest baseline scores

• Finished with the highest scores

• Crossed over other groups during the study period

In other words, the benefits compound.

One can at a party is a sample.

Regular use over days and weeks is where sleep quality, stress reduction, mood stability, and well-being improvements begin to stack.

This is not a fireworks product. It is a rhythm product.

And rhythm rewards repetition.

 

What This Means for THC Beverage Consumers

If you are exploring cannabis drinks as an alcohol alternative, here is what the data suggests:

1. Set Onset Expectations

Most people feel effects in 20–40 minutes.

Start with one can. Wait.

The gap between drinking and feeling is where confusion lives. Respect the ramp.

2. Expect a 2–3 Hour Window

Plan accordingly. This is an evening experience, not an all-night escalation.

3. Do Not Chase Intensity

The dominant high is relaxed. The goal is ease, not extremity.

4. Understand the Compounding Effect

Regular, moderate use shows the most consistent improvements in mood, stress, and sleep.

 

 

What This Means for the Future of 23rd State

For us as a brand, the research clarifies strategy.

Build for Consistency, Not Trial

One-time users barely benefit.

Subscriptions. Multipacks. 7-day starter kits. Post-purchase education.

These are not sales tactics. They are outcome drivers.

Lead with “No Hangover”

The data supports it.

95.8% of product-use days reported no hangover.
75.8% reported less intoxication than alcohol.

These are competitive differentiators in a crowded beverage market.

Make Education Visible

On 13.1% of product-use days, participants felt no effects.

That could reflect dose mismatch, impatience, or individual variability.

Education around onset timing and dose calibration turns “didn’t work” into “let me try that again correctly.”

Consumer education is not an afterthought. It is part of the experience architecture.

 

THC Beverages and the Shift Away From Alcohol

The rise of THC drinks is not a trend. It is a cultural pivot.

Consumers are increasingly searching for:

• Cannabis drinks for socializing

• THC seltzers with no hangover

• Low-dose cannabis beverages

• Alcohol alternatives for adults

What they want is clear:

Connection without consequence.
Relaxation without regret.
Elevation without erosion.

Our research confirms that properly formulated THC beverages can deliver exactly that.

 

Why Formulation Matters

Not all cannabis beverages are created equal.

Onset time, dose calibration, flavor profile, and intended effect all shape the experience.

At 23rd State, our products are designed around:

• Predictable onset windows

• Balanced, manageable highs

• Socially aligned duration

• Repeatable daily integration

That design intention shows up in the data.

A 2–3 hour relaxed window is not accidental. It is engineered.

 

A New Social Ritual

Imagine a gathering where:

• Laughter flows

• Conversation deepens

• No one needs to “pace themselves”

• The morning after feels normal

That is not utopian. It is measurable.

When participants reported feeling chill, relaxed, comfy, happy, and peaceful at statistically significant rates, they were describing a new ritual form.

A can instead of a cocktail.

A lift instead of a loss.

 

The Bottom Line

The punchline of our research is simple:

Most participants felt effects within 40 minutes.
Most experienced a mild and pleasant 2–3 hour window.
Almost none experienced a hangover.
And those who used the product consistently saw dramatically better outcomes.

This is what modern social drinking can look like.

Not louder. Not heavier. Not harsher.

Just better aligned to how people actually want to feel.

At 23rd State, we are not trying to outdo alcohol at its own game.

We are building a different one.

One can.
Twenty minutes.
Two to three hours.
Zero hangover.

The data speaks.

And the future of social sipping is already in your hand.

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