Energy Drinks

[KYnetiK]

Ive never really been a fan for any of these hyper-caffeinated, taurine drinks. Not only do they further undermine the toxicity of so-called 'soft' drinks, but the marketing circus that surrounds them (as well as the enthusiasm of those whom are bulk consumers of it) I find just revoltingly tacky.

Now I work in a bar in a 24 hour casino/hotel complex and the patrons and staff are no strangers to Red Bull, Rockstars and Monsters. To see people drinking near 3 times the daily dosage so casually is simply alarming. Just because a can says a limit of 2 per day doesnt mean drinking 2 every day is doing your body any good. Having observed the culture from a bar, the way these drinks have permeated into our lives reminds me of a cancerous growth.

And just when I thought my cynicism on the topic had made me totally convinced that these drinks were manufactured from nothing more than Satans urine itself, this happened. Call me suspicious, but I dont think the added protein offers any health advantages.


The highlighting of the inherent flaws of mass production within a debt-based economy aside, this just signed and sealed my own sardonic views on energy drinks. But what about yours?

What's your view on 'energy drinks' ?

[L[0ne]R]

All I heard is that they can be bad for your health, but that's it. I don't see much harm in having them once in a while when you really need them. Drinking too many of them on a regular basis would be stupid, but then if you have health problems later - it's your own fault. Same with alcoholism, smoking and lots of junk food, which IMHO are far worse since more people make them a habit at younger age.

Personally, I never really had to resort to energy drinks except 3-4 times during college, and even then they didn't seem to affect me much. AFAIK Red Bull is the strongest one of them because it's the only one that had a noticeable effect on me, but it was only enough to postpone sleepiness for a few hours, after which I'd feel like I normally feel after pulling an all-nighter, except my body was a little shakier than normal.
Our college didn't even allow selling Red Bull there because of the amount of caffeine in it. Most people just bought coffee at Tim Hortons instead and didn't seem to complain.

[12th_account]

I love'em. Drank two Red Bulls most weekdays in college. I never really felt much energized after them, I just drank it for that lovely taste. And they go great with booze and pizza, so you'll always want to have some around.

[jrgp]

I f**king go nuts. I buy a monster each day before school. It isn't rare for me to order "two red bulls" when I go out to eat at restaurants and sip them one after the other. At lan parties I f**king chug them consecutively.

At this point it's gotten to be that caffeine has a calming effect on me, as opposed to getting me pumped up. Sometimes it makes headaches go away, which is worrying since it hints at a caffeine addiction. :x

At this rate, I really hope I make it past 19.

[KYnetiK]

Who knows jgrp, you might get lucky... perhaps chemicals produced from a decaying mouse dissolved in a carbonated taurine solution may actually prevent the biochemistry of your body from collapsing altogether.

[{LAW} Gamer_2k4]

I knew a guy in high school who didn't eat but drank 6 energy drinks each day.  He actually vomited the first time he tried solid food (after that) because his body just wasn't used to it.

For my own part, I try to stay the heck away from energy drinks (and soda in general, for that matter).  While I have no proof that they're awful for you, I can't shake the feeling that they are.  I only turn to energy drinks once or twice a year now, and that's when I absolutely HAVE to stay up all night (long drive, studying, etc.)

Oh, and the mouse thing could happen to any canned good, not just energy drinks.

[ds dude]

I drink all the varieties of monster except the zero calorie one, and rockstar.

Oh, and I also drink this which is really tasty to me.

[jrgp]

I knew a guy in high school who didn't eat but drank 6 energy drinks each day.  He actually vomited the first time he tried solid food (after that) because his body just wasn't used to it.

Can you tell us more about him? I'm curious. He seriously never ate but lived off energy drinks? Full time? That sounds mildly amazing.

[dnmr]

I knew a guy in high school who didn't eat but drank 6 energy drinks each day.  He actually vomited the first time he tried solid food (after that) because his body just wasn't used to it.

Can you tell us more about him? I'm curious. He seriously never ate but lived off energy drinks? Full time? That sounds mildly amazing.

i knew a guy who had a red bull IV bag with him at all times

[FliesLikeABrick]

in spring 2009 I set out to lose the weight I gained in college.  I did it by eating slightly healthier and smaller portions (and not eating just out of boredom), but mostly I lost the weight (~25lbs) just by cutting out soda and caffiene from my diet.  That was almost entirely responsible for my weight loss, I barely had to do anything besides that.

They're really bad for your body's regulation of sleep and blood sugar, and regularizing those things makes it trivial to be healthy

[zakath]

http://gobarbra.com/hit/new-2359ef71e13d9777862aa21aa642a1f0 <--- this is what I drink when partying

[bhs]

I have been caffeine free for a few years now, and I would suggest it to anyone who admits they have the bad habit.

I f**king go nuts. I buy a monster each day before school. It isn't rare for me to order "two red bulls" when I go out to eat at restaurants and sip them one after the other. At lan parties I f**king chug them consecutively.

At this point it's gotten to be that caffeine has a calming effect on me, as opposed to getting me pumped up. Sometimes it makes headaches go away, which is worrying since it hints at a caffeine addiction. :x

At this rate, I really hope I make it past 19.

You've pretty much just admitted you're completely addicted to them, and don't drink them for the caffeine rush. There is no time like now to start dropping them or reduce them to start.

[Fryer]

I've never consumed energy drinks or been in a situation when I seriously would need to.
Maybe I'll drink one some day for some random reason, but I have no plans on making it into a habit.

[FliesLikeABrick]

I have been caffeine free for a few years now, and I would suggest it to anyone who admits they have the bad habit.

I f**king go nuts. I buy a monster each day before school. It isn't rare for me to order "two red bulls" when I go out to eat at restaurants and sip them one after the other. At lan parties I f**king chug them consecutively.

At this point it's gotten to be that caffeine has a calming effect on me, as opposed to getting me pumped up. Sometimes it makes headaches go away, which is worrying since it hints at a caffeine addiction. :x

At this rate, I really hope I make it past 19.

You've pretty much just admitted you're completely addicted to them, and don't drink them for the caffeine rush. There is no time like now to start dropping them or reduce them to start.

I agree completely, I've been telling Joe for a year or two now that he needs to take it easy with those because at this point he's just feeding his body's physical dependency.

edit: yes, what you described is classic caffeine addiction.  You need to ween yourself off it and stop drinking those energy drinks.

[{LAW} Gamer_2k4]

I knew a guy in high school who didn't eat but drank 6 energy drinks each day.  He actually vomited the first time he tried solid food (after that) because his body just wasn't used to it.

Can you tell us more about him? I'm curious. He seriously never ate but lived off energy drinks? Full time? That sounds mildly amazing.

I can't, really; this was in high school (so 6-7 years ago), and he was more of an acquaintance than a friend.  But yeah, he was rail thin and always had a Monster in his hand.  Not a good way to live.

[demoniac93]

When I REALLY need a boost, I just put two extra tea spoons of sugar in my morning Espresso, but that's it.
I only drink "energy" drinks when flying or going or very long hikes.

[Shard]

Have 2 cans of Monster Energy every weekend when I play games in the evening. I get no buzz or kick, just really hungery. Coffe tends to do the same. I get hotter quciker ans sweat easier too.

[Monsteri]

Everybody are loving and drinking me Except I of course.

[SadistAtHeart]

Not exactly a health nut, but I won't touch this shit with a 12-foot-pole. Would just as soon drink Tiberium from Command & Conquer.

[Monsteri]

Command & Conquer.

*haves the original Command & Conquer in CD and many, many other later ones too.