Energy Drinks - Consequences?

[Snips]

I've never been a good sleeper. It takes me a few hours (usually 2-3, has been 14 a few times in the past, when trying to sleep when sick) to pass out once I lie down, and I'm a very light sleeper to the extent that if I move in my sleep and my arm brushes on my sheet the wrong way, it wakes me up. As such I often find myself physically and mentally drained. I'd tried a few energy drinks over the years. Redbull was just nasty, and there were a few assorted okay ones, but none of them seemed to be what I needed to keep awake. I've got a large build and when chugging down 6L of coke won't keep me awake, I wasn't expecting one can of energy drink to do the trick.

Well earlier this week at my sister's, I tried NOS (Trademark of Coca-Cola, I was surprised to learn.) Damn, not only was it tasty, but it worked like I dream! I was able to stay up for 12 hours on one can of it as well as 5 355 ML cans of Coke. When I got home, I lay down and passed out instantly since I was tired enough to drift off immediately, and woke up wonderfully rested.

I was thinking I may need to start sucking back 2-3 cans of this stuff a week. But this brings up the health issues. Does anyone know long term health risks of energy supplements? If it helps, here's the listed medical ingredients in this 650 ml bottle I picked up today:

2750 mg Taurine,
343 mg Caffeine,
274 mg Inositol,
5.5 mg Vitamin B6
16.5 mg Vitamin B12


As amazing as the short term benefits were, I don't want to start abusing this stuff if it'll kick me in the ass. Anyone here happen to know their stuff?

[Rainbow Dash]

Considering the trouble you're having sleeping, energy drinks sound like the last thing you'd want. And yes there are health problems with it, most notably heart problems. Caffine will dry you the fuck up too, so keep hydrated.

[Applejack]

The consequences are that energy drinks taste like piss.

[Snips]

Considering the trouble you're having sleeping, energy drinks sound like the last thing you'd want.

Yeah, right now it's just to regulate my sleeping habits (I can't keep sleeping during the day, this is helping me stay awake so I can sleep at night instead.) It's a short term solution to a long term problem. Thing is, addiction (notably to alcohol and gambling, but also various medications) runs deep in my family and I don't want to become dependant on sleeping pills, either. It's annoying.

Caffine will dry you the fuck up too, so keep hydrated.

I never had problems. Or so I thought. I grew up drinking coca cola at most meals, so I was used to it. However, I also drink water like an elephant compared to most people, so I guess that makes sense. I never really thought about it before. Still, water is good so long as you don't drown internally, right?


And yes there are health problems with it, most notably heart problems.

I'll keep that in mind. Last thing I need is another crippling health issue on top of asthma.


The consequences are that energy drinks taste like piss.

Oh man, I so agree. Nos is one of the only energy drinks I actually thought tasted good. DOn't get me started on Red Bull. I mean, not that I've ever drank piss, but I can imagine how nasty it must be.

[Miles]

And yes there are health problems with it, most notably heart problems. Caffine will dry you the fuck up too, so keep hydrated.

Just what I was going to say.

They linked a few to heart attacks in the past.

I don't believe in energy drinks. I think they're a massive con. They give you tons of problems and nothing positive.
Athletes may drink them, or so I'm told but I was always taught that water is the best thing to drink. Water alone will wake me up when I'm feeling sleepy.

[Irving1992]

I absolutely abhor energy drinks. They're the last thing I would ever give anyone. The way I see it with them, I make the analogy that your heart is like a tight, small rubber band. You put it around all 5 of your fingers and you expand and contract it at a slow and steady pace. But then you start doing it faster and faster, not really letting it contract all the way, stretching it out to it's max. That's the energy drink. What'll happen to the rubber band after the ladder happens? It becomes very very worn out, losing its elasticity, making it eventually break. It's not good man.

[Sassafrass Raistimass]

Thing is, addiction (notably to alcohol and gambling, but also various medications) runs deep in my family and I don't want to become dependant on sleeping pills, either.You know caffeine is addictive, right?

Sugary drinks in general are bad for you. Highly caffeinated sugar drinks will just straight fuck you up. I don't know anything about the particular drink you're talking about, but if you don't have a pressing physical reason to be that wired and are just relying on the caffeine crash to fall asleep, well.... stop. That's stupid.

[Zelphiel]

energy shots are safer. they have a lower dose of caffeine than a regular energy drink and it takes a really massive amount of B-vitamins for you to build up a toxicity with them. The only vitamins you really have to worry about consuming too much of are A and D because a more moderate amount of them can cause liver damage.

I usually drink one monster (or something like it) in the morning to wake me up... so I'm not completely against drinking them.

You know caffeine is addictive, right?

no it isn't. the Kansas state board of education said so.

[Spud Webb]

if you drink 5 red bulls in half an hour your dick will fall off

[Dark Luther]

The problems of heart attack are not so realistic with younger people, they cause imbalances. Minor use is fine - but keeping it constant like a habit is more dangerous in that it creates adrenaline for you. Over time your adrenaline glands are neglected and coupled with an addiction to caffeine will mean you will be extremely lethargic without it, creating a harmful dependancy.

The fact that you fell asleep right after use of it may not particularly mean you need it. The results of it may be what you wish to replicate.
Perhaps you are not getting enough excercise, I usually work out late at night a few hours before sleeping - then warming down and going to sleep after a shower...
Not eating before sleeping and instead eating more in the morning also helps...

[Seraph Zero]

Energy drinks are for pussies. Try cocaine. It'll make your world awesome. :D

[KelThalasAZ]

There was a time not too long ago where I wouldn't touch the things. I take down 1-2 monsters (12oz can) each day I work. Working in a natural foods store, I get people telling me all the time about what little good they do you.
Caffeine acts as, effectively, artificial adrenaline. It quickens your pulse, and makes you more alert. Hence why you feel awake. It is however addictive. One issue I have encountered personally is a higher tolerance to the substance. Takes more to get that same buzz. I've also experienced pretty wicked withdrawls. It is also a diuretic, however, if you also drink a lot of water, as I do, this isn't so much of an issue.

I know three people, all at or around my age (23) who have experienced heart attacks medically linked to caffeine intake. Another two who were forced onto high blood pressure meds unknowingly due to it. They cut caffeine at a holistic doctors suggestion, and the blood pressure issue went away.

So if you're willing to risk an eventual heart attack, or willing to devote your life to a single powerful, though quite legal substance, there really aren't that many circumstances. In the case of energy drinks, the best way to go is moderation. Suck em down, just not in large amounts.