High on the list of clinical complaints is low energy and fatigue. Continual workplace and /or home stress causes individuals to suffer from these symptoms.

The outcome is that more and more people worldwide are turning to artificial energy stimulants more than ever before. Unfortunately, these can be dangerous and ultimately deadly.

What are the risks associated with energy drink consumption?

In the UK, according to the National Health Service, the potential risks associated with energy drink consumption include:

• Caffeine overdose (which can lead to symptoms… including palpitations, high blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, convulsions and, in some cases, even death)
• Type 2 diabetes – as high consumption of caffeine reduces insulin sensitivity
• Late miscarriages, low birth weight and stillbirths in pregnant women
• Neurological and cardiovascular system effects in children and adolescents
• Sensation-seeking behaviour
• Use and dependence on other harmful substances
• Poor dental health
• Somewhat ironically, given their association with sportiness, obesity

In the US, Federal Drug Administration incident reports link deaths to high energy drinks. 5-hour energy shots, ‘Monster’ and ‘Rockstar’ drinks are amongst the most dangerous. The first death associated with 5-hour energy shots happened in December 2009, and now there are allegedly 13 consumers who have died after having consumed 5-hour energy drinks.

The US also reports additional side-effects from these artificial energy stimulant drinks range from vertigo, anxiety, and at the mild end to seizures, brain haemorrhages, and heart attacks at the acute end. The Monster brand drink is associated with five fatalities and around 35 adverse side effect reactions. The Rockstar brand is not linked with any deaths, but 13 incidents of harmful effects.

They come in a range of sizes as small as 5 ounces and as big as 16 ounces. It means the caffeine content is between three and five times greater than a normal 12-ounce soda drink. The full-strength 5-hour energy drinks are not labelled with the caffeine content, but consumer test reports put it at 215 mgs in every 2-ounce bottle.

To put this in perspective, remember that a McDonald’s 16 ounce serving of coffee contains around 145 mgs of caffeine; about equal to the Rockstar and Monster brands. In Starbucks, the grande serving of their best-selling variety, non-espresso, will give you 330 mgs on average, but can get as high as 564 mgs. This may seem extreme, but it is still only the equivalent of two smaller servings of 5-hour energy drink.

Rockstar energy drink is a worldwide staple. This energy drink, branded ROCKST★R, is a major player in the Australian energy drink scene. It is available in more than twenty flavours and is in more than thirty countries.

Monster is one of the most recognisable energy drinks. It is often associated with video games and teenagers. There are 34 different drinks under the Monster brand.

Because of this, more teens and younger children are becoming consumers of stimulant-laden energy drinks. To counteract this growing trend some countries have introduced legislation to prevent those under 18 years of age to purchase energy drinks with high caffeine contents.

Walking around each day without energy robs you of your quality of life, your capacity to earn a living as well as your ability to fully enjoy relationships with those you care about. 

Low energy is a condition that you want to pay attention to. Your energy levels can be indicative of worse things to come.

Eventually with artificial over-stimulation of the body, brain neurotransmitters like Serotonin (feel good molecule) and Dopamine (motivation molecule) are depleted, and the following organs begin getting burned out after years of over-stimulation: heart, pancreas, adrenal glands, and especially the thyroid gland.

Unfortunately, at this point your medical doctor may now feel it to be necessary to utilize major drugs like psychotropics, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, stimulants, as well as sleeping medications to balance your body and brain.

How about learning how to avoid the negative cascade that unmanaged stress has on your body that can result in chronic low levels of energy and daily fatigue?