Tea Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Being Tea Drunk: From Blissful Cha Zui to Unwanted Dizziness

"Ancient poets knew it. Modern brewers feel it. But few truly understand it."

Key Takeaways

Tea drunk (Cha Zui 茶醉) describes both blissful euphoria and uncomfortable dizziness.
L-theanine and caffeine work together to create a calm yet alert state.
Never drink strong tea on an empty stomach—it leads to nausea and jitters.
Certain teas like Raw Pu-erh and Matcha are more likely to induce tea drunk.
Gongfu brewing and mindful pacing help enhance the positive experience.
Tea drunk is not like alcohol drunk—it brings clarity, not confusion.
Lu Tong’s poem offers a cultural blueprint for spiritual tea intoxication.

The Alluring Mystery of Being "Tea Drunk"

Have you ever felt a calm, floating feeling after drinking several cups of good tea? Or maybe you've felt dizzy and wondered, why does tea make me dizzy?

You've discovered the mysterious world of being "tea drunk," or Cha Zui (茶醉) in Chinese.

Forget about getting drunk like with alcohol. Tea drunk is a range of feelings. At one end is a wanted state of happy clarity and alert calmness. At the other end is physical discomfort with shaking and dizziness.

This guide will explain it all. We will look at its deep cultural roots, explain the science behind the feeling, and give clear advice on how to get the good feeling while avoiding the bad one.

The Soul of the Leaf: Uncovering the Cultural Roots of Tea Drunk

To truly understand being tea drunk, you need to look beyond modern science and into ancient Chinese culture. The concept is rich in poetry and deep thinking.

The most famous story comes from Lu Tong, a poet from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), a golden age for tea culture. His famous poem, "Seven Bowls of Tea," perfectly describes the ideal Cha Zui.

Each bowl lifts his state of being, moving from simple refreshment to spiritual heights.

The first bowl moistens my lips and throat.
The second bowl banishes my loneliness.
The third bowl searches my barren entrails but to find therein some five thousand scrolls.
The fourth bowl raises a slight perspiration, and all life's inequities pass out through my pores.
The fifth bowl purifies my flesh and bones.
The sixth bowl calls me to the immortals.
The seventh bowl is the last I can drink, a light breeze rises in my sleeves. Where is Penglai, the island of the Immortals? I wish to ride on this gentle breeze and go there.

Lu Tong boiling tea, painted by Ding Yunpeng (Ming Dynasty). Palace Museum, Beijing.

Lu Tong (卢仝, Tang Dynasty) boiling tea, painted by Ding Yunpeng (丁云鹏, Ming Dynasty). 《玉川煮茶图》Palace Museum, Beijing.

This isn't just a buzz; it's a journey. You can read more about the context in Lu Tong's famous poem, "Seven Bowls of Tea".

This poetic feeling is tied to the concept of Cha Qi (茶气), which means the "life force" or "energy" of the tea.

In traditional Daoist and Zen thinking, tea was never just a drink. It was a tool for meditation and self-growth. A tea with strong Cha Qi could quiet the mind, sharpen focus, and help reach a state of deep awareness—the true meaning of the zen and tea drunk connection.

What is Tea Drunk? The Sensation, The Science, and The Sobering Reality

So, what does it actually feel like to be tea drunk? The answer depends on which side of the experience you land on. It can be a state of joyful lift or one of physical discomfort.

We can break down these two sides of Cha Zui.

The Blissful Buzz (Euphoria)	The Dizzying Discomfort (Overload)
Heightened senses; colors seem brighter, sounds clearer	Nausea or an upset stomach
A feeling of serene, calm alertness	Lightheadedness and dizziness
Mental clarity and creative flow	Jitters, shakiness, or "tea tremors"
Body-sensation of warmth, tingling, or floating	Heart palpitations or a racing pulse
Deep tranquility and a meditative state of mind	Cold sweats and a clammy feeling

The Science Behind the Feeling

This duality isn't magic; it's an interesting mix of active compounds in the tea leaf.

Caffeine: The well-known stimulant. It blocks certain brain receptors, making you feel awake and alert. In high doses, it's the main cause of jitters and a racing heart.
L-theanine: This is the "Zen" amino acid, the special ingredient that makes the tea experience unique. It creates brain waves linked to "wakeful relaxation." It calms the mind, helps focus, and smooths out the harsh effects of caffeine.
Catechins: These are powerful antioxidants, like EGCG, that add to the overall body feeling of tea. They can also upset the stomach if taken in high amounts on an empty stomach, causing nausea.

The good state of Cha Zui happens when these parts are balanced. The bad feeling comes when you overload your system, mainly with caffeine and tannins, without enough food to soften their effects. This explains the helpful effects of L-theanine and caffeine together.

Tea Drunk vs. Alcohol Drunk: A World of Difference

Let's be very clear: the term "drunk" is misleading. Being tea drunk is the exact opposite of being alcohol drunk.

Clarity vs. Impairment: Tea improves mental clarity and focus. Alcohol hurts judgment, coordination, and thinking.
Elevation vs. Intoxication: Tea creates a feeling of lightness and lift. Alcohol creates a feeling of heaviness and intoxication.
The Sobering Fact: Tea contains zero ethanol, the substance in alcoholic drinks that causes intoxication. The feeling comes from a special mix of stimulants and relaxants, not from being chemically drunk.

A Personal Cautionary Tale: How Five Rock Oolongs Got Us Tea Drunk

We've all been there. It was a cool morning, and we hadn't eaten breakfast—our first and worst mistake. A new shipment of Wuyi Rock Oolongs had just arrived, and we were excited.

The complex mineral and roasted smell of high-quality Rock Oolong teas can be intoxicating in more ways than one. We decided to do a taste test, setting up our Gaiwans for a Gongfu session to explore the differences between a Rougui, a Shui Xian, and three different Da Hong Pao types.

The first few bowls were pure joy. The first tea was bright and flowery, waking our senses. The second was deeper, more mineral, and a warm, pleasant energy began to spread through our chests. This was the Cha Qi we were looking for—a state of heightened awareness and deep appreciation.

The third and fourth teas continued the journey. We felt energetic, talkative, and completely absorbed in the moment. This is why we love tea, we thought.

But then came the fifth tea. The change was small at first. A slight dizziness began to creep in. The wonderful, warm feeling was replaced by an uncomfortable, clammy coldness. The mental clarity we had enjoyed just minutes before turned into a foggy dizziness. Our hands felt shaky, a classic case of the "tea tremors."

We had gone too far. The sheer amount of strong tea, brewed quickly using the high leaf-to-water ratio of Gongfu Cha, had overwhelmed our systems. We were officially, and unpleasantly, tea drunk.

The lesson was learned the hard way: always respect the power of the leaf. Never drink strong tea, especially multiple kinds, on an empty stomach.

Navigating the Experience: How to Manage, Avoid, or Induce Tea Drunkenness

The good news is that you have full control over your experience. Whether you want to avoid the jitters or mindfully explore a state of tea-induced bliss, the power is in your hands.

How to Avoid & Relieve Unwanted Symptoms

If you start feeling dizzy or sick, don't worry. The feeling will pass. Here's how to prevent it and what to do if it happens.

Never on an Empty Stomach: This is the golden rule. Food, especially protein and carbs, slows the absorption of caffeine and tannins, protecting your stomach and giving your body time to process them.
Eat Something Sweet: The symptoms of being "too" tea drunk can feel like low blood sugar. Having a small, sweet snack like a date, a piece of dark chocolate, or a cookie can often provide quick relief.
Stay Hydrated (with Water): Drink water before you start a tea session and between different teas. This helps your body process the compounds and prevents dehydration.
Pace Yourself: Drinking too much tea too fast is the most common cause of bad symptoms. Enjoy your tea slowly. Take time between infusions and especially between different types of tea.
Choose Milder Teas: If you are new to this or know you are sensitive, start with teas that are generally less strong.

The Beginner's Guide: Common Questions & Concerns

Is tea drunk dangerous?
For most healthy people, no. It's just an uncomfortable feeling that passes. But anyone sensitive to caffeine or with heart conditions should be careful. Always stay within safe caffeine limits.
Can you get tea drunk on white tea?
Yes. While subtle, a high-grade White Tea, especially Silver Needle made of young buds, can surprise you with its potent, airy Cha Qi. The feeling is often described as lighter and more head-focused than the body-heavy feeling of other teas.
Which teas are less likely to cause it?
For a gentler experience, a well-aged Ripe Pu-erh Tea (Shou Pu-erh) or other Dark Teas are great choices. Their processing creates a smoother, warming Cha Qi that is less likely to cause jitters.

How to Mindfully Induce a Positive Tea Drunk State

If you want to experience the blissful, focused state of Cha Zui, you need a more deliberate approach.

Set & Setting: Choose a calm, quiet place where you won't be disturbed. Put your phone away. The goal is mindfulness.
Choose the Right Tea: Pick a high-quality tea known for its strong Cha Qi (more on this below).
Use the Gongfu Brewing Method: The Gongfu style, with its high leaf-to-water ratio and multiple short infusions, is designed to extract the full character and energy of the leaf.
Drink with Intention: Pay close attention to everything. Notice the smell of the dry and wet leaves, the changing flavors in each infusion, and the sensations in your body and mind.
Have a Light Snack Before: Again, never on an empty stomach. A small, neutral snack about 30-60 minutes before your session is ideal to prepare your body.

The Tea Drinker's Toolkit: Which Teas and Brewing Methods Work Best?

While any tea can make you feel its effects, certain types are famous for their powerful Cha Qi 茶气.

Teas Most Associated with Strong Cha Qi

Young Raw Pu-erh (Sheng Pu-erh): Often seen as the champion. Explorers of Cha Qi often start with a high-quality Raw Pu-erh Tea (Sheng Pu-erh). Its strong energy comes from old-growth trees and minimal processing, delivering a powerful, body-centered experience that can feel electric.
High Mountain & Rock Oolongs: Teas grown at high heights or in unique, mineral-rich areas like the Wuyi Mountains develop intense aromas and complex profiles. This creates a strong, often uplifting and fragrant Cha Qi.
Matcha: With Matcha, you consume the entire ground leaf. This delivers much more L-theanine and caffeine than other teas, resulting in intense, long-lasting, calm energy.

Brewing for Bliss: The Gongfu Cha Advantage

Gongfu Cha isn't just a brewing method; it's a ritual of focus. Using a lot of leaf in a small vessel like a gaiwan over many short infusions lets you control the extraction precisely. It reveals the tea's full range of flavor, aroma, and energy, making it perfect for exploring Cha Qi.

Create Your Own "Tea Drunk Sampler Pack"

To begin your own exploration, we suggest a sampler pack. This isn't a product, but a guided journey through different types of tea energy.

The Uplifting Spirit: Start with a top-grade Silver Needle White Tea. Look for a gentle, mind-clearing, and uplifting feeling.
The Aromatic High: Move to a fragrant Dan Cong Oolong or a mineral-rich Rock Oolong. Notice how the intense aroma adds to the experience and feeling.
The Powerful Force: Finally, when ready, try a young Raw Pu-erh. Brew it carefully and notice its deep body-feel and grounding energy.

Remember, tea is full of compounds that boost your health, focus, and longevity, but it's wise to know about the side effects of too much caffeine.

Embracing the Journey, Not Just the Destination

Being "tea drunk" is a complex and beautiful part of deep tea culture. It is a two-sided experience: a possible state of mindful bliss rooted in ancient wisdom, but also a source of discomfort if the tea's power isn't respected.

If you remember just one thing from this guide, let it be this: listen to your body and never drink strong tea on an empty stomach.

The goal isn't just to chase a "high." The true value is in the entire ritual—the patience of brewing, the mindfulness of tasting, and the quiet connection to a leaf that has traveled through soil, sun, and history to reach your cup. Embrace the journey.

FAQs:

What does being tea drunk feel like?
Tea drunk (Cha Zui) can feel like heightened senses, mental clarity, and a serene alertness when positive, or dizziness and jitters when negative. Unlike alcohol intoxication, tea drunk enhances mental clarity.
Why does tea make me dizzy sometimes?
Dizziness from tea typically occurs when drinking strong tea on an empty stomach or consuming too much caffeine and tannins too quickly, overwhelming your system with stimulants without proper absorption.
Which teas are best for experiencing a positive tea drunk state?
Young Raw Pu-erh (Sheng), High Mountain Oolongs, and Matcha are known for their strong Cha Qi (tea energy), making them ideal for experiencing the euphoric aspects of being tea drunk.
How can I avoid the negative effects of being tea drunk?
Never drink tea on an empty stomach, stay hydrated with water, pace yourself between infusions, and consider eating something sweet if you begin feeling uncomfortable symptoms.
Is the tea drunk experience backed by science?
Yes, tea drunk is explained by the interaction between caffeine (stimulant), L-theanine (relaxant), and catechins in tea. The L-theanine creates "wakeful relaxation" while caffeine provides alertness, creating the unique tea drunk sensation when properly balanced.

Each year, we serve thousands of satisfied tea enthusiasts in our tea house, and we're excited to share these exceptional teas with tea lovers worldwide at Orientaleaf.com.