It really helps with your Mental Health. But you can live without it if you eat healthy and be nice to Jun. Going without is basically hard mode. Once you get Jun to Love you she replaces any need for it by doing cute things for you
Oh, Jun is a Major character. You can't miss them. If you haven't met Jun by the end of the 1st week you might have a bug. Try starting a new game. Read the story. Maybe you missed something
2.brain mix makes you addicted(you only need to take one for the effect to activate), making you lose sanity faster(if u have a constant suply you should be good tho)