Too Wired to Think: The Dark Side of Trendy Energy Drinks

Special Edition: Wellness Hype, Harm, and the Rise of “Feel Free”
It started showing up everywhere—on influencer reels, tucked in gym bags, and whispered about between workouts. The little blue bottle known as “Feel Free” quickly gained traction as the latest wellness hack, marketed as a productivity enhancer, mood booster, and all-natural high. But as its popularity skyrockets, so do the concerns—about safety, addictive potential, and what its rise reveals about our culture’s relentless chase for fast fixes.

This special edition unpacks more than just ingredients. We’re peeling back the layers of trend-driven health behaviors—why we reach for quick solutions, how social media fuels risky habits, and what gets lost when hype overshadows health. Because sometimes, the real risk isn’t what’s inside the bottle—it’s why we’re drinking it in the first place.

In the ever-evolving world of fitness and wellness, energy is king. Whether it’s that 5:00 AM workout, a long shift at the gym, or just trying to power through the day, more people are reaching for fast fixes—and increasingly, those fixes come in trendy little bottles. Enter: energy drinks, nootropics, and “plant-based” shots like the wildly popular Feel Free.

Marketed as a kava-based tonic that boosts energy, enhances mood, and improves focus, Feel Free is currently riding a wave of influencer-driven hype. But under the wellness glow and slick branding lies a reality most aren’t talking about: this product (and others like it) may not just be addictive—they may be dangerous.

What’s Really Inside “Feel Free”?
Feel Free Wellness Tonic claims to offer calm, clear-headed energy via a blend of kava root and kratom, along with other plant-based ingredients like lion’s mane and rhodiola. While this sounds harmless—or even holistic—the combination is anything but casual.

Kratom, a controversial plant-derived stimulant, acts on opioid receptors in the brain. It can produce feelings of euphoria or pain relief, but it also carries a high risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms. The FDA has issued multiple warnings about kratom, citing risks of addiction, seizures, and liver damage.

Kava, traditionally used in ceremonial settings, has sedative properties and can damage the liver in high doses or when taken regularly.

Put together? A formula that may feel like productivity—but functions more like a synthetic high. Several users have reported withdrawal-like symptoms after stopping Feel Free, and some report needing multiple bottles a day just to “feel normal.”

The Science of Stimulant Use in Fitness
While Feel Free is making headlines, it's not the only concern. The global energy drink market has exploded—expected to hit $177 billion by 2030—with many gym-goers downing 200–400mg of caffeine before workouts. That’s the equivalent of up to four cups of coffee… in one gulp.

Short-term, caffeine boosts alertness and enhances exercise performance by increasing adrenaline, mobilizing fat for fuel, and reducing perceived effort. But overuse tells a different story.

A 2023 review in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology linked high-dose caffeine and energy drink use with increased heart rate variability, elevated cortisol levels, and reduced sleep quality—all of which compromise long-term recovery and muscle repair.

Meanwhile, kratom remains largely unregulated. According to a 2022 analysis from Frontiers in Pharmacology, regular kratom users showed signs of physical dependence, emotional blunting, and even cognitive decline over time.

The Bigger Problem: Hype Culture Over Health Culture
But the real issue isn’t just what’s inside these drinks. It’s what they represent: a growing culture of shortcut chasing, trend hopping, and influencer mimicry.

We’ve entered a phase where biohacking is branding. Where social media becomes a megaphone for performance enhancement—often without nuance or consequences. A trainer with thousands of followers chugs Feel Free, hits a PR, and suddenly the message is: this is the way.

Only it’s not.

Because what works for one body, under one set of circumstances, isn’t a prescription for everyone. Fitness isn’t a one-size-fits-all hustle, and neither is the way we support our energy or recovery.

What makes this more dangerous is that these products are rarely seen for what they are: stimulants. They’re marketed as health supplements, not psychoactive compounds. And that mislabeling—intended or not—lures in even the most wellness-savvy consumers.

So, What’s the Alternative?
Instead of chasing energy in a bottle, we should be asking:

• Why am I so tired?
• What am I training for?
• Is my energy sustainable—or artificial?

While there’s a time and place for performance aids, the foundation has to be built on basics: hydration, sleep, nutrition, and self-awareness. There’s a reason creatine, beta-alanine, and adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha have stood the test of time—they’re well-researched, effective for most, and safe when used appropriately.

Natural alternatives like matcha, yerba mate, or electrolyte-enhanced water can also provide clean energy without spiking anxiety or crashing your adrenals.

Final Rep: The Truth About Trendy Energy Fixes
At the end of the day, Feel Free and its trendy cousins reflect a larger problem in modern fitness: the belief that more stimulation equals more success. But more isn’t always better—and when it comes to unregulated supplements, more can be risky.

We don’t need more “hacks.” We need more critical thinking. More real conversations. And more education about what we’re putting in our bodies—and why.

So next time you see a flashy bottle on your feed, ask yourself:

Is it fuel—or just hype?

^{Written by: L.R. Moxcey}