DHM + L-Cysteine & Alpha GPC + DLPA: Reduce Alcohol’s Effects and Unlock Laser Focus

Welcome to Midlife Mayhem! For the first time, I’m not just talking to you through your headphones — I’m also filming this for YouTube. So if you’d rather see me chatting through today’s episode, head over to (joanne lee cornish)  my YouTube channel. 

Today, I want to share some of the lesser-known supplement pairings I personally use and keep on hand. These aren’t your typical multivitamins or fish oils — they’re unique stacks that I pull out a couple of times a month when I need them. And since my Mastering Midlife Program kicks off on September 21, I thought this was the perfect time to give you a preview.

🍶 DHM + L-Cysteine: My “Alcohol Insurance” Stack

Okay, let’s talk about what I jokingly call my going-out stack. If I know I’m going to enjoy a glass of wine or two, this is what I reach for:

• DHM (Dihydromyricetin): When you drink alcohol, your liver breaks it down in steps. First, ethanol (the alcohol in your drink) is broken down into acetaldehyde — and that’s the nasty stuff that makes you feel headachy, nauseous, and sluggish. Your body has an enzyme called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which converts that toxic acetaldehyde into harmless acetic acid (basically vinegar). The catch? Your liver can only work at a steady pace — it doesn’t speed up just because you had three margaritas. Research shows DHM can help upregulate acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, essentially nudging your body to clear out that toxic middle step faster.

• L-Cysteine: This one is an amino acid that helps your body make glutathione, your master antioxidant. Think of glutathione as your liver’s cleanup crew — it sweeps away leftover toxins and free radicals so you can recover more quickly. By taking L-Cysteine with DHM, you’re not only speeding up the breakdown of alcohol but also giving your body extra tools to handle the oxidative stress that comes with drinking.

💡 How I use it: If I know I’ll have more than one drink, I take one capsule of DHM (around 350–500 mg) and one capsule of L-Cysteine (500 mg) after my first drink. Honestly, if I only have one glass, I don’t need them, but I’ll often still take them — it just helps me feel clearer and better the next day.

And here’s the kicker: these are simple, inexpensive supplements. The DHM I use is by Nutricost, and the L-Cysteine is by NOW — but you don’t have to stick to those brands. They’re basic compounds, no need to overpay for a fancy “hangover pill” when you can pair them yourself for less than $30 and get way more doses.

⚡️ Alpha GPC + DLPA: The Focus & Flow Stack

Now, let’s shift gears to another duo I love — not for social nights out, but for when I need serious focus and mental clarity. This is my deep work stack, perfect for writing, planning, or any project that requires a lot of brainpower.

• DLPA (DL-Phenylalanine): This supplement is a blend of two mirror-image forms of the amino acid phenylalanine.

  • The L-form is a precursor to dopamine — the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, focus, and drive. Think of dopamine as the spark that helps you get things done.

  • The D-form works differently: it helps slow the breakdown of endorphins, those natural “feel-good” chemicals your body releases when you laugh, exercise, or enjoy a great meal. By keeping your endorphins around longer, it helps sustain a positive, motivated state.

• Alpha GPC (L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine): This is a highly bioavailable source of choline, which your brain uses to make acetylcholine — a neurotransmitter tied to learning, memory, and focus. Think of it as premium fuel for your brain’s communication system. When acetylcholine is abundant, neurons fire more efficiently, and everything feels clearer and sharper.

💡 How I use it: I don’t take these every day. For me, it’s more of a “power button” stack. If I know I need a solid 2–3 hours of uninterrupted writing, content creation, or really intense focus, I’ll take one DLPA and one Alpha GPC together. About 20–30 minutes later, it feels like the fog lifts, I’ve got more drive, and I can really lock in.

Are they stimulants? Not in the jittery, wired way that coffee or pre-workouts can be. You don’t get the crash. Instead, it’s like your brain is clicking into gear — smooth energy, clearer thinking, better recall.

🧘 Mastering Midlife Program — Starts September 21!

If all of this has your brain buzzing and you want to learn more about how to use supplements (without the confusion or hype), then I’d love to invite you to join me in the Mastering Midlife Program, starting September 21st.

Here’s what you’ll get:

• 🔟 Live coaching calls over 6 weeks — each one covering a key pillar of thriving in midlife.

• 📚 A growing library of 70+ pieces of co