FRIDAY 2:30PM — CHALLENGING TOPIC

The Truth About Young People and Energy Drinks

Lately, I’ve been noticing something…

A lot of young adults are running on empty and reaching for energy drinks like they’re the answer.

One in the morning, one at lunch, one “to get through the afternoon,” and another “because I’m tired.”

And every time I see it, I can’t help but shake my head a little — not in judgment — but in concern.

Because I’ve lived that life.

Years ago when I was pulling 12-hour graveyard shifts in Vegas, I used to drink Coke to stay awake. Then I graduated to Red Bulls — two of them during a single shift. And let me tell you… I didn’t like how they made me feel. I stopped, and my body thanked me for it.

But some young folks don’t stop.

Some don’t even know they should.

And then there are the stories that stay with you — like my extended family member who passed away on the drive from California to Seattle. Too many energy drinks too fast. Her heart couldn’t take it.

That’s when the conversation becomes real.

Why So Many Young Adults Reach for Energy Drinks

Most of the time, it’s not about the drink.

It’s about the pressure:

• school

• work

• long shifts

• no sleep

• burnout

• “keep going” mentality

• trying to be everything to everyone

They’re tired, overwhelmed, and looking for a quick fix.

And the marketing makes it look harmless — “more energy, more focus.”

But here’s the truth:

Energy drinks don’t fix tiredness — they mask it.

And the price behind that mask can be high.

What They Don’t Realize

Heart Risks

• racing heart

• high blood pressure

• palpitations

• arrhythmias

• chest pain

• even heart failure in extreme cases

ERs see young, otherwise healthy adults coming in with cardiac issues linked to energy drinks.

Mental Health Effects

• anxiety spikes

• irritability

• headaches

• crashes

• dependency

• sleep disruption

And many of these young people are already on anxiety medication — a mix that does NOT play well with high caffeine.

Sleep Cycle Damage

This is the sneaky part:

They’re tired → drink an energy drink

Energy drink disrupts their sleep → they wake up tired

Then they reach for another one

…and the cycle repeats.

They never actually rest.

Long-Term Concerns

Studies are connecting heavy energy drink use with:

• increased substance use

• binge drinking (especially mixing alcohol with energy drinks)

• reckless driving

• risky decision-making

• nervous system overstimulation

• poor impulse control

It piles up.

This Isn’t About Blaming — It’s About Awareness

I see young adults trying to juggle too much, too fast.

I see them exhausted and doing whatever they can to stay awake for school, work, studying, or life.

But I also know this:

**Your body is not built to run on chemicals.

It’s built to run on real rest.**

And the older you get, the more your heart and nervous system will remind you of that.

Healthier Ways to Build Real Energy

• consistent sleep

• more water

• balanced meals with protein

• movement

• stretches

• sunlight

• breathing routines

• mental breaks

• reducing anxiety triggers

It’s not flashy.

It’s not instant.

But it works — and it doesn’t cost you your heart.

Final Word

If you’re tired, it’s not a failure.

It’s your body asking for care.

You deserve the kind of energy that doesn’t come in a can.

Slow down.

Rest.

Choose yourself.