In the early spring of 2010, my life took an unexpected turn thanks to a simple bottle of kombucha. I still remember that grey, cloudy day in New York City when I first tried GT’s Synergy, a kombucha brand that was just hitting the scene. Hungover and desperate for relief, I purchased the $5 bottle from a small Korean deli in Soho and downed all 16 ounces in one go. To my surprise, my headache eased almost immediately and my energy returned. That one small decision sparked a profound transformation in my life, reshaping not only my health but also my entire worldview.
At the time, I was immersed in a high-energy, fast-paced life as a professional artist working with celebrities and luxury brands—a lifestyle where partying was the norm. Kombucha became my go-to hangover cure, and soon, after a British roommate introduced me to home brewing, I realized I could make this miracle drink myself. Brewing three gallons of peach peony kombucha in a repurposed glass milk jug became a ritual, a way to enjoy endless flavors while nourishing my body with something alive and vibrant.
This was the start of a journey that led me to reconsider everything about what I consumed. I realized that if a fermented tea could change my mood and personality so drastically, then what were the countless other chemicals and messages embedded in our food actually doing to me? How many subtle influences were shaping my decisions, energy, and even my mental clarity?
The science has since confirmed that our gut bacteria wield remarkable power over us—impacting not just digestion, but mood, decision-making, fear responses, and even the inner dialogue we carry in our heads. Recognizing this, I set out to reclaim control, to achieve what I call true objectivity: making choices with as little external influence as possible from food additives, corporate messaging, and addictive substances.
I began cutting out sugar, alcohol, drugs, processed foods, meat, preservatives, and artificial chemicals. My diet gradually became entirely organic—spring water, fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, olive oil, eggs, greens, and occasional fish. I even weaned myself off caffeine and kombucha, coming full circle to a purer, clearer state of being. Alongside this dietary reset, meditation became crucial—a daily practice to align mind and body, helping me sustain a state of calm, clarity, and resilience.
During the COVID lockdowns, while many stayed home, I worked seven days a week as an Instacart shopper. This gave me an insider’s view into the grocery world and the products lining the shelves. What stood out was how nearly every processed item contained some form of sugar—corn syrup, dextrose, or one of the dozens of sweetener variants legally used in the U.S. Removing sugar completely from my diet was one of the hardest changes, but once I did, I noticed the immediate effects: sharper focus and reduced restlessness. Meanwhile, scientists continue to search for answers to the rising rates of ADHD, possibly linked to diet.
My travels through 28 countries and residence in four gave me valuable perspective, highlighting cultural differences in diet and lifestyle. Seeing so many versions of “normal” made me realize how much we unknowingly accept as truth simply because it’s familiar. It’s like former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s famous words: we all live with “known unknowns” and “unknown unknowns.” Without exposure to alternatives, we cannot objectively evaluate what’s truly best for us.
The power of a flexible mind cannot be overstated. It allows us to adapt, question, and ultimately reclaim our well-being and happiness. Meditation, especially practiced daily with intention, can help us craft the reality we want—one centered on health, kindness, creativity, and community.
Imagine millions of people simultaneously projecting a collective vision of love, equality, and respect for the environment. If we focus less on ego-driven pursuits and more on positive contributions—prioritizing our health and supporting one another—we can help flip our upside-down world right-side up.
This is more than just personal wellness; it’s a societal awakening. Each individual holds the power to spark change, starting from within. By freeing ourselves from the manipulations of political and corporate food messaging, embracing natural foods, and cultivating mindfulness, we become custodians of a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come.
We stand at an inflection point in history. The choices we make today will ripple through time. Let’s choose clarity, health, and collective uplift.
Excerpted from The Political Gut: Quantum Nutrients, Two Brains, Upside-Down Diets (2024, Pure Luck Library)
About the Author
Brett Casper is a food expert and founder of Pure Luck®, an internationally recognized wellness brand and kombucha pioneer. He was honored by NY Magazine for opening New York City’s first Kombucha Café and has been praised by Food & Wine Magazine for his top-rated Pure Kombucha™.