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Subscribe to RSSMonster energy drink is being investigated in association with five deaths. NBC's Chris Clackum reports.
By Maggie Fox and Linda Carroll
Does this sound like you? Two cups of coffee in the morning, a coffee break at 11 or so, another cup in the afternoon and a cup after dinner? That might be enough to interfere with sleep or even give some people the jitters, but it’s nowhere near an overdose. It may also be nothing compared to what some teenagers are consuming to deal with schoolwork or job pressures.
James Stone, a 19-year-old from Wallingford, Conn., died in 2006 after he took nearly two dozen NoDoz tablets. Each tablet has about 200 mg of caffeine – about twice that found in a cup of coffee. But while it would be near impossible to down 48 cups of coffee in a few hours, it’s relatively easy to pop a handful of small tablets.
Now the question is whether guzzling energy drinks might be as dangerous as popping No-Doz.
The Food and Drug Administration is investigating reports that five people died and one survived a heart attack after consuming energy drinks. It is not yet clear whether the drinks actually caused – or even contributed to - those adverse events, said FDA spokeswoman Shelly Burgess.
“So far there’s been no causal link,” Burgess said. “There could have been other products involved. We don’t know that yet and that’s why we’re taking this seriously and looking into it.”
The six reports were entered into the FDA’s system voluntary reporting system over an eight year period, with the first surfacing in 2004. This system doesn’t necessarily show that a food or drug caused a problem – people can file an adverse event report if, for instance, someone has a heart attack after taking a drug or getting a vaccination. The two events could be coincidental.
Last week, the parents of Anais Fournier of Hagerstown, Md., sued the company that makes Monster Energy Drinks, saying caffeine in the drinks killed the 14-year-old girl. The autopsy report attributed her death to “cardiac arrhythmia due to caffeine toxicity.”
“Anais had consumed two 24-oz. Monster Energy drinks in a 24-hour period, the last drink just hours prior to her death,” her lawyer, Kevin Goldberg of Silver Spring, Md., said in a statement.
“The two drinks combined are believed to have contained approximately 480 milligrams of known caffeine, the equivalent of almost 14 cans of Coca-Cola.”
Monster energy drinks contain a long list of ingredients, including sugar, ginseng, amino acids such as taurine and L-carnitine, salt, guarana seed and B vitamins. The Center for Science in the Public Interest says the drinks contain about 10 mg of caffeine per ounce of drink, which would mean 240 mg of caffeine in a 24-ounce energy drink – not much more than two stong cups of coffee.
Emergency room visits tied to energy drinks have been on the rise, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Researchers found that the number of emergency department visits involving energy drinks jumped form 1,128 visits in 2005 to 16,053 in 2008 and 13,144 in 2009.
Those numbers aren’t clear-cut because many of the ER patients had consumed other substances, such as alcohol, along with the energy drinks, said Brad Stone, a spokesman for SAMHSA.
“As with anything, if we see people going to the emergency department in part because of the use of a particular substance, we believe that’s something people may want to consider in terms of whether it’s something of concern or if anything should be done about it,” Stone said.
Doherty High School in Colorado Springs banned a drink called Spike Shooter in 2007 after two students were taken to the hospital when they started vomiting and complaining of heart palpitations. They had been drinking Spike, which delivers 300 mg of caffeine per eight-ounce can.
Dr. Steven Lipshultz of the University of Miami sees the drinks as a potential danger to kids. Lipshultz worked on a study published last year in Pediatrics that highlighted the dangers of energy drinks in children, adolescents, and young adults.
“Three months later, the American Academy of Pediatrics came out with a statement that children should not be taking energy drinks for safety reasons,” Lipshultz said. “In certain high risk groups – such as those with unhealthy hearts who don’t even know about it – they can be dangerous.”
The caffeine issue is starting to emerge everywhere, Lipshultz said.
“This is of concern,” he said. “And all around the world everyone is seeing exactly the same things in poison reporting systems.”
NBCWashington: Parents sue Monster Beverage over girl's death
Lipshultz believes that caffeine side-effects may be under-reported simply because the substance isn’t a medication. “It’s not a prescription drug or an over-the-counter medication,” he said. “It’s a supplement which means it’s highly unregulated.” The FDA has classified caffeine as “generally recognized as safe”, meaning it doesn’t require any more review for approval.
Lipshultz says that doesn’t mean it is safe. “It’s biologically active. You have a child take an energy drink and his heart rate goes up, his blood pressure goes up. It affects almost every part of his body,” he said.
How much caffeine is too much? Some people who take in 500 to 600 mg a day of caffeine may suffer insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, a fast heartbeat and stomach upset, according to the Mayo Clinic’s website. The FDA limits the amount of caffeine in non-prescription drugs to a maximum of 200 mg per dose.
Caffeine is processed by the liver, so anything that stresses the liver can have the effect of keeping caffeine in the blood longer.This includes antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, asthma medications and even herbal supplements such as echinacea.
The body absorbs caffeine quickly. It shows up in the blood five minutes after someone eats or drinks it.
According to Karen Collins, a registered dietician at the American Institute for Cancer Research, it takes at least three hours to clear half the caffeine from the body, and 15 to 35 hours to eliminate it.
How would caffeine kill someone? It sparks the release of natural compounds called catecholamines, including norepinephrine, a stress hormone that can speed the heart rate. People who have died from documented caffeine overdose had irregular and rapid heart rates, seizures and sometimes choked on their vomit.
Per Holmgren of University Hospital in Linkoping, Sweden wrote a report in 2004 on four people who died of caffeine overdoses. Two took caffeine pills. Doctors don’t know how the other two overdosed. “The lethal blood level is considered to be 80–100 micrograms (of caffeine) per gram of blood, which corresponds to an intake of 50–100 tablets,” Holmgren and colleagues wrote in their report, published in Forensic Science International.
“An overdose of caffeine alone, intentional or not, might be deadly,” they wrote.
Not everyone is convinced that the danger of caffeine is clear.
While people with heart arrhythmias should avoid caffeine, the vast majority of people consume caffeine with no ill-effects, said Dr. David Heber, a professor of medicine and director of the center for human nutrition at the University of California, Los Angeles.
“It’s probably the most widely used food-drug in the world,” Heber said. “There are lots of benefits to taking caffeine. Probably the most studied are the benefits for brain function.”
Still, Heber said, caffeine can have differing effects on people. And the effects tend to be amplified when people aren’t used to consuming it.
“Some people can drink five cups of coffee and go to sleep while others will have pulses racing and start sweating and not know why,” Heber said.
Ultimately, though, Heber said he wouldn’t recommend that kids consume high levels of caffeine. “Any healthy thing can be dangerous at high doses,” he explained. “At high doses it can make you nervous, raise your pulse and heart rate. There’s only so much caffeine that your body can get rid of.”
Parents concerned about how much their kids are consuming might look out for warning signs such as sleep problems, nervousness, rapid pulse, and an inability to be attentive, Heber said.
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I take a wide repertoire of stimulants, with caffeine being just one of them, and others like ****tine being nearly 100 times stronger. I take them safely, and therefore I am alive to write this comment. I monitor my heart rate carefully if it feels like it's getting higher.
I believe the solution we need, in addition to better consumer education and safety warnings, is an OTC antidote to caffeine. Perhaps a sublingual metheanine pill would do it, but I can't find it in the market. Any decent antidote also of course carries a risk if taken in excess. Alternatively, I wonder if magnesium threonate would help - this is readily available OTC, but is patent-encumbered.
as with all things, moderation is key. Almost any substance can be lethal if you consume to much of it. Remember that woman who died because she drank to much water on a radio show?
This is truly sad that a young girls life was taken, but the parents of this girl should have kept a closer eye on her and warned her of the dangers of drinking these kind of drinks. There are labels o the bottles, and I don't understand why people don't read them before eating or drinking a store product.
someone drank toomuch soda and died from it, a man eats to much microwave popcorn and the maker is to blame for his medical problems now.
People, all people need to earn to eat in moderation, read the damn labels on the products before consuming them, and stop with all these lawsuits. All that happens is the prices goes up on the products and the people (you and I) are stuck with higher prices all due to people not paying attention to what they are eating or drinking.
I am sick and tired of people being so damn sue happy in this country. Take some responsibility for your own actions, and pay atentio0n to your kids, their activities, their friends, and what they are putting in their mouths.
RIP to the young girl and condolences to the family, but suing the maker of the energy drink is just wrong.
Laffy Taffy
I must say i couldnt agree more. You said it perfectly!
In an Army PX you can't find aspirin because they call it a blood thinner, yet they have an entire aisle of this canned whoopass for kids.
Erin-2049354
Laffy Taffy
Thank you Erin.
i see where people are all hyped up on this but its not the amount the kids have cuz i can drink 6 in a 6 hour time frame. my record is 10 drinks in a 7 hour time frame so its definitely not the amount of drinks cunsumed im living proof of that and if people listen she did have a heart problem b4 all of that caffiene entered her so people should look at the medical history and also i agree with laffy taffy people now a days are sue @!$%#in happy. if you are walkin down the road and fall and break your leg on my property. you going to sue me for havin a unsafe yard i dont think so people no scrach that the whole damn countries population NEEDS TO PULL THERE HEADS OUT OF THERE ASSES. yes i feel bad for the family of the people that died but come on people die every day of natural and unnatural causes
For me, I have to eat a little something when I drink an energy drink or I will get light-headed. I'm not an expert but I know I have a fast matoblism. I'm pretty sure energy drinks speed things up even more. I just make sure I have something to eat, at least nearby, when I have an energy drink. Drinking water after you finish an energy drink helps too. Between the two, I haven't been light-headed for quite a while and I'm still able to have an energy drink everyday.
I dont think sueing the company for financial profit makes sense.
That said, im not sure if adding any warning labels to packaging would change anything either - people simply dont read, or even if they do - they dont believe it will affect them.
AB is living proof of this - his next energy drink could be his last, and just because "up until now" his body has been able to handle the massive amounts of stimulants doesnt mean it will always be able to do that. In all likelihood, his body will not give him a warning when it fails.
We can compare this, quite easily, to people who eat completely unhealthy...slamming big macs like they are professionals, daily, and then one day...that big mac's their last - boom - dead of a heart attack.
Oh sure, we cant blame that big mac...but let's get real with ourselves.
Just lost a friend who died in his sleep of a massive heart attack, he had just had - one night before - a massively horrific calorie laden meal, his regular meal, served by his good friend as his place of business. no one after his death denied how he died - he ate himself to death.
though, one could argue...he didnt have ANY problems eating like a pig prior to his death.
When are people going to start taking responsibility for their own actions?! It only takes a few IDIOTS to ruin it for everyone else.
What we need is people to stop ODing on caffeine and their survivors trying to sue honest companies for something that isn't their fault. Look, it's simple - you take 2 dozen No-Doz pills? You're trying to commit suicide. It doesn't matter how healthy you are, that's a recipe for death. It's like taking 2 dozen Sudafeds or Nyquil shots - you're going to die from it. You don't need a warning label, you simply need to not be a freaking idiot. It says on the box: "Recommended dosage 2-4 a day" - that's all the warning label you need. Exceeding it does not make you cool, it puts you at grave risk of death.
Now, granted, energy drinks don't have such a label. It does have a warning on the can, but it's probably not all that definitive. Still, the facts remain that energy drinks are not meant for minors nor for those in poor health with heart conditions, lung conditions, or kidney failure. These things are loaded with Taurine and Caffeine, which fire up the metabolism and put the body into a state of high alertness. Being a former daily drinker of energy drinks myself, I can say the sensations of being on an energy drink makes you extra aware of stuff around you, you are indeed more awake, and because your body is in a low level of distress from being kicked into high gear, you tend to be a bit more aggressive and defensive as well. This is fine if you're engaged in physical activity where such will assist you, but it's horrible for you if you work in a library.
So, this is how just one works. Imagine two - well, I tried that once in my early 20s and I will never EVER do it again. My heart is in perfect health, no problems with any of my internal organs at all. It was that way then, it's still this way now for whatever reason. And yet despite that, my experience of back to back energy drink consumption was so close to a near-death experience that it's hard to talk about without reliving it... but people need to know. When you've downed 2 24oz energy drinks, you first experience the sensation I described above. Then the second one hits you and your body enters a frenzied state because you've become way, way too high. You're shaking, drooling, your head is pounding and your consciousness fades in and out as your heart rate accelerates to extreme levels. The closest I can get you to that feeling without you trying this stupid idea yourself is to get on a treadmill and run full speed, as fast as you can without stopping until you seriously can't go anymore and collapse. That's kind of what it's like, but it takes a lot longer to recover from EDs than the treadmill.
You can survive back to back energy a time or two, if you're in perfect health or you have plenty of water and a way to cool yourself down before you overheat to death. But the fact is that you'll come close to or even just have a heart attack and will most likely die from it. They can't exactly save you from cardiac arrest caused by this stuff because your heart has to beat for a chemical flush to be performed. If it stops, it's not going to start back up because it's torn itself apart trying to keep up with what it's been put through.
So.... never drink two energy drinks back to back. Ever. Caffeine IS a drug and it IS dangerous, but only if you're foolish with it. It can't hurt you in small amounts and can actually be good for your cardiovascular health. These people who died from caffeine.... I know it's wrong to say this about the dead, but they were stupid. They did something they shouldn't have, either knowingly or unknowingly, and their instincts didn't even try to stop them. Someone drinking two 24oz Monsters, back to back, is someone that's acquired a taste for them. Monster is nasty, the flavor awful... but just like beer, once you've acquired a taste for it, it's refreshing and stuff. That means the little girl in question that drank two back to back was familiar with the taste and gotten to the point of liking it. She was also familiar with the boost high that comes from drinking 24oz of pure caffeinated sugary taurine. Instinctively, she should have known better than to hit two back to back. I feel bad for the kid, don't misunderstand me, as no one should have to die so young... but she should have known better just by her own experience alone with the stuff. Her friends... someone might have tried to warn her. If no one did, then that makes it worse.
there are no antidotes for stupid
maybe a little common sense would help!!
I'm a guy in my late 40's. I started drinking Red Bull on my lunch breaks when I went back to college a few years ago, really took the tiredness away that I had been feeling in the afternoons. Without that tiredness, I was able to keep focused the rest of the day. I drink one on my lunch breaks at work now.
Someone once told me that those things (energy drinks) will probably be illegal some day. I said that they were probably right - once they realized that it helped aging nobodies like me get through the day.
People that like to make rules for other people (like politicians) don't usually have to live like other people. They usually have generous vacation and very flexible work hours. Tired in the afternoon? Why, just take the rest of they day off! If they are not personally fond of something or it's something that they don't need, sure, abolish it. At least they'll still be popular with other control freaks.
All things don't effect all people the same way. The MAJORITY of people have no problems with caffeine. People that do should stay away from it, and that's THEIR responsibility.
If you are an adult and you want to drink this crap so be it. When they first came out all of merchandisers and reps for these companies that were selling these items, they were drinking them constantly. Now all of these people are now off of these drinks due to the fact the drinks screw up their stomachs, cause issues with their liver, their heart, and all kinds of other health issues. If you are an adult and you want to drink them fine and dandy it is your right but kids under the age of 18 should not be allowed to buy these drinks at all. I watched as a clerk at a 7eleven sell a Red Bull and donuts to a 4th grader on the way to school!!! These drinks should not be given to kids under the age of eighten but yet that is who these companies are enticing to buy their drinks. Oh and by the way read the label these drinks have usually triple the amount or more of caffine then a cup of coffee or a regular pop that is one hell of a jolt to the system.
There IS an alternative and apparently the timing could not be better. Nature's Pearl will release its 100% natural and SAFE energy shot on Nov. 26. This product, as all of the products, comes from the Pure Muscadine Grape. The health benefits from this grape is just being realized. this is no pushy sales pitch: if you are seriously concerned, you owe it to yourself to at least check out the products for yourself. Wake Forest University conducted clinical trials on the benefits of the skin and seed extract as it affects the growth of 7 different cancers. I can provide you with all the studies so you can read for yourself.. check out the website:
my info is there; feel free to email or call. number is located at bottom of page under 'contact us'... Good luck everyone and stay safe... PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU PUT INTO YOUR BODY..
I prefer natural methods. I drink my own pee and it keeps me awake for hours!
But have you tried eating your poop? I hear it works for days!
If you watch the Five Hour Energy commercials that talks about having spoken to many doctors you will see it gives no real information, only titilating promises of greater energy.
Getting regular sleep and excersize and a healthy diet is your best chance to live long with sufficient energy. All the crap they offer with warnings that scare the sh!t out of a sane person should be avoided.
Yes, exercise works, but often must be done more than once a day to be an effective energizer. A standing desk (for up to 50% of the work day) also fixes so much.
dude? really? cmon i did not neeeeed to know that.
but thanks for sharin that with us loooooool
Looks more like to me, lack of responsible parenting mixed with people not reading the warning lables.
"Max 1 Can every 4 hours, maximum of 3 cans PER day."
"Not Recommended for Children, people sensitive to caffine"
The above is said on a 15.5FL can of Monster Rehab Rojo Tea.
That said... Where was the parents doing their job and making sure their children isn't drinking it. I drink Monster, and Haven't had any issues even when I Drink 2 in under a 4hr period... Looks like there's just some one looking to pass the blame.
Totally agree Squall, my initial thoughts when reading the article and seeing the lawsuit was, "where is the accountability of the consumer?" The product is clearly labeled. I don't understand how anyone with a rational mind can blame the manufacturer for the consumer's lack of judgement. It's just as ignorant as saying a perfectly functioning car is to blame for a wreck, because it went too fast and the driver couldn't handle it.
I understand the victim may not know they have a heart condition, but that doesn't automatically mean it's the manufacturer's fault. Unfortunate things happen in life, Monster is in no way "responsible" for any deaths occurring because someone overdosed on their product.
Agreed. The 14 year old girl with the heart condition could just as easily died from drinking a few cups of coffee in a 24 hour period, and it wouldn't have been the fault of the coffee grower, or coffee roaster, or the grocery store that sold it, or the coffee making machine that brewed it. Sometimes death is just a tragic accident and not all deaths are someone else's fault.
During the course of the "wrongful death" suite, Monster's lawyers are going to ask for a toxicology report looking for other substances. I won't be surprised if they find something other than caffeine.
caffeine is a drug, I don't know how else to say it. I grew up around food addicts and coffee drinkers and THANK god I'm not one. I am drug free and nope, not even soda. No sugar, no cigarettes, no alcohol , and NOT even Tylenol and no caffeine no ice cream no candy and guess what? I'm skinny and cute and healthier and happier than ever! ^_^ Oh yeah and no junk food either! Cheers~
I wish I had your willpower, I do all the things you don"t do, all of em. My doctor said I was fine but we were drinking at the bar when he told me.
sucks to be you.. LOL. I know I won't be suffering ^_^
Your telling me you got a killer headache, and you don't take anything for it, that sounds like suffering to me
Nope I never have headaches because I eat healthy and all those chemicals will never violate my pure body LOL. Sorry but its the truth ^_^
Something is telling me your body is far from pure, real far.
Why? I don't take ANY drugs, no alcohol, no pills, no sugar, no junk food, no cigs, no caffeine, NOTHING. Just trust me, if you follow what I do, you will never have headaches and you will always be skinny and healthy like me ^_^.
No im not trying to be a prick, i'm just saying that if you avoid all those disgusting stuff it will work. Yeah it may be a bit boring but hey, at least I know I won't be suffering like everyone else is. Im smart =)
Yeah but you yourself said you do "nothing," and that it is "boring." If that is how it is why would you want to live forever?
Well how else am i supposed to live? By doing drugs and end up all strung out and addicted like you and Jonathan Reid-1158169?
LOL please, don't make me laugh. I know I'm healthy and young and cute and that's because I'm pure and never become fat and ugly and addicted like the rest of you. Anyways have a nice day! ^_^
It is commonly known that food, sex, and computers can be addictive. I can tell by your posts that you have been doping it up on the computer.
Well aren't we smug? People like you, looking down your nose at other people for having problems you don't have is FAR from pure, John. Meditate on that.
Don't get hit by a bus!
I wont' JERK! lol
You see, being physically healthy is one thing but it's only attractive and worthwhile to anyone but you if you're personality is just as well taken care of. You're here telling everyone else they need help and you're so amazingly amazing... nobody likes conceited people, John. Seriously, meditate on that. You may find some truths about yourself that are as unpleasant as being physically unhealthy. Your need to come here and declare your own lifestyle's merits to the detriment of all others, ad nauseum, shows some underlying issues. Physical health and mental health are vastly different ballgames.
@Mike Schmidt I'm not being conceited sheesh! See just because I have it better than others doesn't mean I'm trying to look down on you people. I'm trying to spread useful knowledge and it's sad that sometimes they refuse to listen.
I know that physical and mental condition for me is almost perfect. Of course I'll never be perfect but I know because of the wise choice decisions I am better than like maybe 85% of the people out there. And to @SpecialED , computers is not addicting because there are no chemicals you take in to become physically addicted. And on TOP of that, I don't have ANY sex because its dirty and disgusting. You can't trust anyone now and yes, I've turned down many offers from girls many times and you know what? I don't care.
Anyways, to be honest, mental is the toughest out of physical health, but it CAN be overcome. TRUST me I know~ ^_^
Are you even listening to yourself, John? "I have it better than others", "They refuse to listen", "physical and mental condition for me is almost perfect", "I am better than like maybe 85% of the people out there", "I've turned down many offers from girls", "trust me I know". "all strung out and addicted like you", "I know I'm healthy and young and cute", "Im smart =)", "I'm pure and never become fat and ugly and addicted like the rest of you". That's not conceit? You're so into yourself that you don't even realize how you're perceived by other people.
@Mike Schmidt Oh just shut up and listen to my advice for once! Don't be focused on how much better I have it, just listen to my wisdom and you will be just like me. K? now ENOUGH im tired of arguing . Sheesh, you people are so frustrating at times I feel like tossing the computer out the window LOL.
And now I need to shut up because I'm pointing our your flaws? You've been pointing out everyone else's here, but when someone points the finger at you they need to shut up. Just another example of someone who thinks way too highly of themselves. Look up megalomania, or "superiority complex".
John, you're an odd one. My question is, has anyone looked into the effects of the intense bombardment of the vitamins? I've been drinking monsters, redbull for years, and yea, i do notice physicall diffrences after i drink them, but not the same as when i'm at home drinking my coffee. Oh, P.S. john, extreme frustration is usually a severe sign of addiction, so if you feel like throwing you're comp out the window, you may have a problem. After 11 years of sobrity from hardcore drugs, i recognize these signs. you may want to look into a self help meeting of some kind.
Did it ever occur to you that you won the genetic lottery? That you are naturally thin and what you eat has little effect on your weight? That you were born predisposed to be cute and never have aches and pains? That perhaps you should be very grateful that you don't have the issues that the vast majority of humans experience? And since you don't have any of these problems you don't know much about these issues?
I agree with paramed.. I abuse my body every way I can and I'm thin and hot.. When I die I want the coroner to have to call his colleagues over to look at my organs and say to them "Damn.. We can't transplant anything.. All his organs are shot.. This guy must have had an awesome life!"
Why would you leave perfectly good organs to someone else to abuse? Use em!
According to John, apparently we should all be wired to think like him, and all human bodies won't have any new issues by doing exactly what he does. /sarcasm. Despite mental disorders, john, people can still become overwight by eating even healthier than you. Did you know that? That doesn't just apply to weight ether, john. Oh, and john, something you might want to pay a little more attention to, like mike said, be careful on how you give advice. How does that quote go again? Something like, "The sane person thinks he/she is insane. The insane person thinks he/she is sane." Weird how I thought about that after the... consistency... of johns comments. I'm not saying eating healthy is bad john, but the way you give advice turns people off to that real quick. It's one thing to shame a person on their choices. It's another to shame them for not being exactly like you.
"just listen to my wisdom and you will be just like me. K?"
That was weird.
If you switch out Johns focus to be that of believing in Christ, very few christians would call him conceited - just "spreading the good word"...
as such, I find your belief in your purity and perfection to be less than perfect...thou doth protest too much (if you know what i mean).
But kudos, you seem happy...and isnt that all that matters?
Myself, I would rather die at 50 and have experienced the amazing dirty sex i've had...than to live to 100 and never have had it.
Thats what makes this world awesome John, One size doesnt fit all.
@John: Cool story, bro.
PS - John is troll.
John sounds like one of those thin,sickly,malnutrition looking vegans.
Idiot child, idiot parents. Can we please, as a society, stop blaming everyone except ourselves when we screw up. 480mg of caffeine is barely enough to kick me out of bed sometimes. I've been drinking coffee since I was 12. It was prescribed by my family doctor to treat my hyperactive disorder.
well guess what? You're a drug addict, because caffeine is a mind altering substance. Sorry but its the truth~! Go get help lol
Well guess what? You're a douchebag. Sorry but its the truth. I would suggest you get help but there is no cure for being a douchebag.
Why? I'm just telling you, you're an addict and you should go seek a specialist. And I can tell from your terrible insults that caffeine is really getting to your head huh? Studies DO show that caffeine withdrawel symptoms also include being 'irritable' and 'cranky' ^_^ I'm just stating the facts, don't kill the messenger!! LOL
caffeine is not a mind altering substance and its not a drug, drug is a name given by government as a means of control. you insulted john r. first by saying he was a drug addict. do you even know what addiction is? or do you just blindly follow what someone else tells you? addiction is just a mental deficiency that can be overcome quite easy but for some they are too weak mentally to fight the habit so the brain goes crazy and so does the body, its not the substance its the person who abuses it.
your not stating any facts, just your asinine opinions.
mountain dew or die!
@John Krisfalusci
Case in point. Most people would know when to shut up. You obviously don't know when to shut up. You are the kind of person that seems to think they know what is best for everybody because they're perfect. So I guess your a perfect douchebag. Go give someone else a sweetness and light enema.
In closing, if I want any more s**t out of you, I'll squeeze your head.
@Jonathan Reid see? I'm right, that's why you're being all grumpy. You are just jealous that I am not addicted to any substance like you are, and seriously, threatening someone will not win you any arguments.
All I am trying to do is to give you some helpful advice and you try to avoid it. That's not right and trust me, just by listening to helpful people like me will at least increase your knowledge in your head, if you still have any brain cells left for that matter hehe.
Anyways I'm scared... *sniff* *sniff* and I was only trying to help hehe.
@ John Krisfalusci - Suggest you get down off your high horse now. Its back is hurting badly.
@John Krisfalusci
Funny. Real funny. So funny, in fact, I forgot to laugh. You, on the other hand, seem to have gotten a good chuckle out of it. I'm glad such simple things make you laugh. Do you offer helpful advice to everyone or am I a special project? You can take your "helpful advice", fold it until it's all sharp corners, and stick it where the sun don't shine.
Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time.
What so funny? I'm just saying go get help, it's that simple and guess what? Just because a "Doctor" prescribes something doesn't make it healthy or 'okay'.
If you had time to think about life, you would see that these days people become victims of the 'pharmaceuticals' such as pills and slaves to junk food such as mcdonalds and soda and caffeine.
Maybe it's too late for you but at least you know now~ That's all and have a nice life! ^_^
You're addicted to forums, John.
Don't feed the trolls guys...
I feel pretty good about myself most of the time, even though I believe in all things in moderation -- including -- no, especially -- moderation itself. i drink a lot of coffee and love it. i am blessed with good health, and have not turned away interesting women. but, the last person i'd want to wake up being tomorrow morning is john krisfalusci
Single - that last line made me laugh.
not to be confused with john's rampant loling^_^
@John Krisfaluci
I am curious, do you drink bottled water from plastic? Also do you use deodorant? Its been proven that food and drinks consumed from plastic containers contain chemicals that remain in our bodies that come from the plastic. I have to chuckle at how many people I come across who eat Organic only, yet purchase and drink all of their water from plastic. Also if you use deodorants, either spray or stick, ever wonder how much of the residue is absorbed into your body? Genetics has a big role in how our bodies react to the foods and drugs we use. Yes, agreed, the odds are better to consume better foods and refrain from unneeded chemicals. BUT like with all things, common sense and moderation go a long way too in how healthy we potentially can be.
In regards to your comment earlier about "avoiding sex", I have a feeling that was more a comment to "stir the pot" than anything else. BUT IF it wasnt, then I would have to say maybe your neighbors need to keep a close eye out on your daily activities and what type of purchases you make.
Wow, John, what a perfect person you are. All you need to do to put the icing on the cake is -- oh, wait, you don't do cake. It might be a pleasant little experience your perfect body couldn't handle. Have you tried sack cloth and ashes with a flogging whip thrown in?? That might be fun. Here's a wake up call, pal. You're going to get old, have a lot of aches and pains and then you're going to die just like the rest of us stupid people that drink coffee, colas, eat Big Macs, take aspirin and enjoy life a little bit. That is unless somebody gets tired of your arrogant ass and puts you out of our misery.
There are many instances where lack of responsible parenting can be blamed. I'm not convinced this is one of them. My guess is there are plenty of good parents out there who don't think or know an energy drink can be fatal. With so many other potential hazards to be aware of like teen pregnancy/STDs, underage drinking, smoking, drug abuse, texting while driving, etc... energy drinks are not top of mind for most people. Now if we start seeing a real pattern of overdosing on energy drinks, and it's in the news, then yes parents should be talking to their kids about it.
Also, even if parents do talk to their kids about it, these energy drinks are readily available and legal. The kids can still go out and drink a bunch of them without their parents knowing.
SeattleJosh: You make some good points. I'm glad they are publishing these articles. These drinks can be dangerous. Caffeine is a chemical and too much of just about anything can be dangerous. This is why it is NOT recommended for children. Hence the warning labels on the cans. Please wake up parents, this is not a joke. Children often don't think it can happen to them, that's why we need to keep an eye on them. That's why we call them children. And for all the adults out there with medical issues (and who don't want medical issues) you might want to think about how much caffeine you use too. Just sayin'.
But stupid people should die. It's good for humanity, not to mention my sanity!
AMEN!
I've often wondered if the world would be a better (or at least smarter) place if we just took the warning labels off everything and let nature take its course...
All of us are going to die one of these days! Have a nice life :)
The trouble is that there are too many laws protecting fools from themselves. They end up taking freedom away from responsible people. My wife has allergies and sinus problems for which she takes Claritin-D. If I also had allergies I couldn't buy for both of us in the same month because of the restrictions on the OTC drug. Seems that the druggies use it to make worse drugs. The bottom line is that that's not my problem. If these fools that get addicted to drug wants to kill themselves then more power to them. I should be able to buy as many LEGAL over-the-counter drugs as I need to buy. How does it make sense to take rights and freedom away from responsible people? It's just our big brother government and it's know it all bureaucrats and politicians hard at work strangling our once great country. Guess what? It's just going to get worse.
It is not the caffeine necessarily. It is the combination of ingredients, and how they are mixed together , and the individual dosages of these ingredients.
Or one Venti coffee from Starbucks (16oz. contains 300mg-550mg of caffeine).
Source: http://www.energyfiend.com/the-complete-guide-to-starbucks-caffeine
If this much caffeine killed people, we'd have thousands of dead by now.
Starbucks is poison.
I avoid energy drinks at all costs unless I'm entirely desperate for a caffeine boost. What helps me the most is that all these drinks taste awful and one can costs about $5.00 or so. Keep in mind, I am in my mid-twenties so I was a teenager when this craze first erupted to the scale we see it today. Even then, I barely touched them. It amazes me how kids these days just gulp this garbage down and even have the nerve to be suckered into the brand image with hoodies, stickers, car decals, and the like. It's a crappy energy drink; not a way of life.
People die from overdrinking water - so where is the big deal?
The big deal is the parents want money because the real world is a bad and scary place. My take on life is "Fecal matter occureth, and then you die".
These same morons, who believe more is better will screw it up just like they did with Ephedra Supplements which actualy worked. What fool is going to take 48 No Doze pills? I have no sympathy for anyone over indulgence. First, exercising can keep you awake; time management is another solution. Good ole caffeine works great. Not a drinker of Monster or any of the unregulated power drinks. The FDA banned Ephedra and now have a bigger problem with crap that taste like soda and can be bought by anyone. Bring Ephedra back.....the real stuff.
+1
The FDA recently banned DMAA too. It worked just fine, but some dummies took too much and died.
Energy drinks are regulated and most large companies like monster or red bull have the same, if not better GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices) then a lot of food companies because they know they are likely canidates to be put under scrutiny.
Coffee and tea all the way. I have a panic disorder, so I watch how much coffee/tea I drink, but soda always seems to set it off, I'll NEVER try an energy drink!
Caffieine is indeed a drug, a stimulant, and its good and bad effects have been known like...forever. Too much can get you all wired and awake, way too much can kill you. Energy drinks are no more dangerous than Mt. Dew or coffee if used in moderation. Yet another dumb Newsvine article.
And awhile a natural herb called marijuana that hasn't killed one person from overuse ever is illegal to consume...
What a freaking backwards, hypocritical, stupid country of ours...
Was JUST gonna say that. Nice RandomJ
I'm still alive and kickin....
A long time ago I use to drink coffee and tea with caffeine and lots of coca cola; then one weekend I decided to forego caffeine because I needed rest from a stressful week of work and just wanted to sleep. I ended up with a horrible, unrelenting headache. A friend of mine told me that it was withdrawal from the caffeine. I didn't believe her at first and the next Monday I went back to consuming my usual amounts of coffee, tea, and cola. Then on another long weekend I didn't have any caffeine and lo and behold! headache!
I stopped drinking anything with caffeine and began to feel better. Sure, it was hard at first getting up and going first thing in the morning but over time I didn't need that caffeine to get going and keep going.
Nowadays no caffeine at all. Just lots of water and herbal teas sans the caffeine.
A good amount of rest, and a breakfast.. any breakfast really from the standard eggs and toast to a muffin or a sandwich, will give you energy for the whole day. Caffeine is a stimulant that needs to be refreshed constantly or you crash just like a cocaine addict... and you gain a tolerance in the same way you do with any drug. That said, I love my coffee, but I don't rely on it to wake up. I give myself an hour before I get in my car and go to work, just long enough for the breakfast to begin to metabolize. Real energy feels so much better than a caffeine buzz.
Stupid people piss me right off.
Oh no! Now the food police are going to forbid the use of coffee, cokes, sodas, cool aid, anything that tastes good and all other drinks we enjoy. This country is really beginning to feel like a socialist country. The freedom we once enjoyed, where people were allowed to make their own choices is going away. My heart breaks for the young people who are giving up freedom after freedom. With the government forcing them to eat horrible lunches at school and forbidding them to have anything that is filling or tasty and now going after what we drink...this is just the beginning of Big Sis taking over all our freedoms. Scary stuff. Sort of like the Muslim countries where everything pleasurable is forbidden and if you try it you are put to death. Listen to the fanatics who think they are saints because they don't drink caffeine.... and why does that make them better than the rest of us...because they believe they are. Of course, the medical reports say caffeine is good for you. What happened to the idea that most anything in moderation is OK, just going overboard was bad? Guess only the government can decide what is good or not good ( and of course, that depends on who is in charge...do you think everyone in the government is honest, fair, caring and helpful...I don't think it works that way. It is about control and power.)
i guess its bush's fault lool
Caffeine are chemicals that are produce by plants to kill insects. They act as a natural
pesticide that paralyzes and kill certain insects feeding on the plants. So we are ingesting a poison when we drink coffee and other beverages (soda with it in it). Nicotine is also a poison but is directed at herbivores (ruminates). Since caffeine is a poison it needs to be treated just like alcohol and not be made available to minors unless it is in very small quanities. It is a mind/body altering drug which changes a persons personality drastically. Just stop drinking it and see what happens.
"The two drinks combined are believed to have contained approximately 480 milligrams of known caffeine, the equivalent of almost 14 cans of Coca-Cola.”"
Gasp or to put it another way between 2 and 5 cups of coffee. Seriously? 5 people die over a period of years after consuming a drink that has 1-2 cups of coffee worth of caffeine without any evidence it had anything to do with the drink and the idiots at NBC think this is a story? What is worse is we are spending tax payer dollars to review whether 2 cups of coffee worth of caffeine is a problem. All of you who screech about lady parts and peoples bodies ought to be outraged by the articles insinuation that we should "do something". Either it is your body or it isn't. If it is your body you can put anything in it you wish.
It's sensationalism at its root. It sounds better and stirs people up more to mention "14 cans of Coca-Cola," (while appeasing corporate sponsorship to boot, underlying message that one should drink Coke instead). The media will *always* do this.
I work in the nuclear industry -- we could have our normal NRC annual review, and everything could be "upchecked" in terms of safety and regulatory standards, but the news media would print a story with the headling, "NRC Investigates Problems with Nuclear Facility."
It's disingenuous, and the only reason because readers are attracted to those big scary words, instead of fair, objective content.
I agree! The FDA already is one of the most underfunded agencies and they are going to spend time/money looking into this! How about doing more facility audits on pharmaceutical companies to check for mold growing in the steroids!
Cigarettes have warnings, people still smoke them. It would not matter. All the coffee companies then would have to put warning lables on there stuff too. Hey you can drowned from water, all the water bottles should have do not breath the water on them then right? While they are at it they might as well put warning lables on soda for diabetics. Come on people.
Krzy: You make great points. The only reason for the warning labels is that this is a litigious society. In many other countries they don't' spend millions of dollars putting grids on the sides of the roads to keep drivers awake either. They believe in personal responsibility. Makes you wonder, doesn't it. We spend billions a year to do what? Protect ourselves from irresponsible people, and protect irresponsible people from themselves. In this case to protect a 14 year old when the label already said children shouldn't be drinking it. Even with the warning labels people do what they want and then sue. So why do we bother?
Don't forget the "Caution, coffee is HOT!!!" warning McDonald's has to put on it's coffee now. If I wanted cold coffee, I would've ordered an iced coffee. I did not, and you don't need to warn me that I bought what I bought. Or maybe some people are just that stupid.... or want to pretend to be that stupid to make a buck in court. It's pretty sad that even a cup of coffee needs more than one warning label now.
You are right on, when does it become each individual's responsiblity to use some common sense? Every time we pass a law or have something regulated we are GIVING AWAY our Rights and Freedoms. Wow, 5 people MIGHT have died from consuming these drinks, how many die EVERY DAY from using cell phones while driving? And having an ear bud isnt any better. Used to be illegal in some states to drive a motor vehicle and have head phones on, but now because politicians and lawyers like the freedom of driving and cell phone use, it becomes legal to use ear buds and other devices to communicate even though its STILL a distraction from driving. If I THINK something is bad for me, then its up TO ME to refrain.
My husband is a person who is in great health and he never gets sick. At the age of 32 he had a stroke because of the energy drinks. He never abused the drinks and would have one a day if that. So its not about abusing the drink they are not good for you period. Doesn't matter if you have 1 or 3 a day they ARE NOT GOOD FOR YOU!!!!! DO YOU REALLY WANT TO RISK IT?
Energy drinks are not good for your HUSBAND!!! Read the article, NOT EVERYONE is affected the same by caffeine. For some people it's not a problem - in fact the article stated that the MAJORITY of people have no problems with caffeine.
I like having an energy drink at lunch to boost me up a little to finish out the day without feeling tired and burned out. I don't think I should have to give that up because YOUR husband can't handle it.
My advice to YOU is to worry about your husband and not everyone else. Keep HIM away from caffeine, not the whole world!
I hope Honey Boo-Boo's mom reads this article.
I hope someone reads it to her. You're assuming way too much, thinking she'd make it to this site of her own will ;)
LOL Mike. You make a good point!