Yerba mate – a stimulating drink, but is it addictive?

Yerba mate is winning the hearts of seekers of natural substitutes for coffee and energy drinks. This exotic beverage, native to South America, tempts with its rich taste, health properties and... stimulating effect. No wonder there are so many questions and legends surrounding yerba mate. Isn't there something more behind this green pleasure? Is yerba mate a drug and can it lead to addiction?

Summary:

1. An infusion of friendship and a vitamin bomb. What is yerba mate?
2. Yerba mate vs drug. Are they the same thing?
3. Yerba mate and psychoactive effects. What happens in the brain after the first sip?
4. Is yerba mate addictive? The whole truth about the Guarani Indian brew

An infusion of friendship and a vitamin bomb. What is yerba mate?

Imagine you are sitting in the shade of trees in the Argentine pampas. Holding a distinctive vessel called mate in your hands, filled with green leaves and hot water, and sipping the satiating brew using a bombilla, a metal tube... This is yerba mate, a beverage which has accompanied South Americans in their daily lives for centuries.

Yerba mate is no ordinary drink, but the true essence of South America encapsulated in the leaves of the holly, Ilex paraguariensis. This plant, grown mainly in Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, has been an integral part of the local culture for centuries. Dried and properly processed holly leaves are used to make an infusion, the traditions of which date back to pre-Columbian times. Centuries ago, yerba mate was discovered by the Guarani Indians, who appreciated the plant's stimulating properties. They drank it before hunting and during important events, gathering the whole tribe around the campfire and passing the cup from hand to hand – almost like a peace pipe. To this day, yerba mate is regarded in Latin America as a symbol of friendship and is often drunk in the company of acquaintances, friends or family.

But yerba mate is not only an Indian ritual and a unique taste. It is also a treasure trove of valuable nutrients. It contains an abundance of vitamins and minerals such as potassium, magnesium and iron, among others, as well as antioxidants. Yerba mate contains compounds called xanthines, including caffeine, theobromine and theophylline. By drinking yerba mate, not only do we feel stimulated and more concentrated, but we also provide the body with many valuable substances. Drinking yerba mate regularly can bring many health benefits and become part of a healthy lifestyle. But is yerba mate addictive? This is a question that concerns many lovers of the drink, people who have not yet got to know mate, as well as sceptics who see the brew as a harmful substance. Despite the growing awareness of what yerba mate is, up until now some mate lovers have been met with indignation from those unfamiliar with the subject, who think that yerba mate is some kind of exotic, charlatan herb. So, what is it actually like with this yerba mate?

Yerba mate vs drug. Are they the same thing?

Before answering the question "is yerba mate a drug?" and therefore "can yerba mate be addictive?", let us consider what a drug actually is and whether the South American "tea" fits into its definition. After all, we're not going to compare our favourite drink to something we don't know very well, are we?

Let's start with the basics. By definition, a drug is a psychoactive substance that affects the central nervous system, causing changes in perception, mood, behaviour and consciousness. In addition, drugs can lead to physical or psychological addiction and have negative effects on health. Does yerba mate meet these criteria? It is time for a little investigation!

• Is yerba mate a psychoactive substance? NO. It is simply an infusion of the leaves and twigs of Ilex paraguariensis plant. But indeed, yerba mate does contain such a substance – it is caffeine. Its concentration is similar to the amount found in coffee, and coffee in turn is considered one of the most popular and legal stimulants in the world.
• Does yerba mate have an effect on the central nervous system? YES, and this is due to the aforementioned caffeine. Caffeine affects our brain – it has a stimulating effect, increases alertness and improves concentration. But hey, coffee does the same thing, and somehow nobody asks: "is coffee a drug?".
• Does yerba mate change perception and consciousness? NO. The stimulation of the body and better concentration can indeed make us feel as if we are on a "high". The senses sharpen, the mind brightens and we can work better and more efficiently. In addition to caffeine, there is theobromine and theophylline in yerba mate, which also make us feel relaxed and improve our mood. However, yerba mate does not cause such strong shifts in consciousness or hallucinations as often occur after taking drugs.
• Is yerba mate highly addictive? NO. We will elaborate more on this topic in a further paragraph, but let us point out now: yerba mate does not lead to addiction in the medical sense. The ritual of drinking yerba mate can become a daily part of life, but it does not produce the strong changes in perception or mood that are characteristic of drugs.
• Does yerba mate have a negative effect on health? NO. On the contrary! Yerba mate, consumed in moderation, has many health-promoting benefits. It contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It can hardly be compared to drugs that damage the body!

So to the question, "is yerba a drug?" the answer is: definitely not! Rather, it is a friend of our body and not a dangerous stimulant for our health.

Yerba mate and psychoactive effects. What happens in the brain after the first sip?

Well, we can certainly say that yerba mate is not a drug, but it does have an effect on our body in its own way. What actually happens in the brain when we enjoy this delicious green drink? The most confusing thing is caffeine, which is the main psychoactive ingredient in yerba mate. Caffeine blocks the receptors of adenosine, a natural “sleeper” that accumulates in the body during the day. This makes us feel more stimulated and focused. Yerba mate contains a similar amount of caffeine to coffee, but releases it into the body gradually. Coffee often causes a sudden surge of energy that quickly subsides, leading to feelings of fatigue and weakness. Yerba mate works differently. Thanks to the slow release of caffeine, the stimulation is more balanced and lasts longer. The milder and longer-lasting stimulation effect than that of coffee and the improvement in mood are also due to the presence of other active substances in yerba mate, such as theobromine and theophylline. The synergy between these three ingredients makes yerba mate an ideal choice for people who need a long-lasting boost without sudden drops in energy.

Is yerba mate addictive? The whole truth about the Guarani Indian brew

Finally, we come to the heart of today's article and try to find the answer to the question bothering many people: "is yerba mate addictive?". It's a topic that raises as many emotions as the World Cup final. But rest assured, we won't be kicking ourselves in the ankles here. Instead, we will delve into the subject with the grace of a ballerina and the precision of a surgeon!

Indeed, there are people who cannot imagine a day without mate. A portion of the infusion to wake up in the morning, another pour during a break at work, and then still an afternoon relaxation with mate cup in hand – and so literally every day. Looking at it from the side, one might actually think that such a person is indeed addicted to yerba mate. But the same could be said of someone who eats the same porridge for breakfast every day or who engages in the evening ritual of playing their favourite video game. Such repetitive activities count more as pleasant habits than as true addictions. A habit is a repetitive behaviour that we can control. Addiction, on the other hand, is characterised by compulsion, loss of control and negative consequences. Imagine that yerba mate is like your favourite TV series. You enjoy watching it, you look forward to new episodes, but if you have to go on holiday without access to Netflix, the world will not collapse. It's the same with yerba mate – you may love it, but if it just happens to run out or if for some reason you can't drink it like you always do, absolutely nothing will happen.

Finally, let us point out that – as with everything we consume and provide to our bodies – moderation and balance are key. Consuming yerba mate in moderation, like other caffeinated beverages, is safe and can provide many health benefits. If you find that you are drinking too much yerba mate and the excess caffeine is bad for your wellbeing, it is worth considering reducing your intake. Remember that healthy habits are those that do not dominate our lives, but enrich them! Enjoy yerba mate, appreciate its taste and properties, but don't forget that life has many other wonderful flavours to discover. And if someone asks you again "is yerba mate a drug", you can answer with a smile, "Yes, and it's addictive.... from the smile on your face!".

Source of information:

1. Wikipedia: Mate.
2. C.I. Heck, E.G. De Mejia, Yerba Mate Tea (Ilex paraguariensis): A Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Health Implications, and Technological Considerations, Journal of Food Science, 2007.
3. A. Gawron-Gzella, J. Chanaj-Kaczmarek, J. Cielecka-Piontek, Yerba Mate – A Long but Current History, Nutrients, 2021.