It’s 1 a.m. and you have a test in 9 hours. You are slightly discouraged because you’re feeling rather tired but you have a solution—an energy drink. You think you’ve just solved all your problems and now you’re one-step closer to getting that “A” on your exam.

You actually just made the worst decision of your life.

Monster Energy Drink. Source

Energy drinks, like Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, NOS, AMP, Full Throttle, etc.. are becoming house-hold names for severe side effects. Their target is wide-scope. In 2013, Red Bull sold $3.4 billion worth of merchandise alone. Energy drinks are notorious for containing unusual ingredients. For example, a Monster Energy drink contains:
  XErythritol: a sugar alcohol that is hard for the body to digest. It can cause digestive problems in large amounts.
  XPanax Ginseng Root Extract: Common side effect include insomnia, increased heart rate, high or low blood pressure, headache, diarrhea among others. It’s always better to just eat the root—no chemical processing.
  XL-Carnitine L-Tartrate: an amino acid that is naturally produced in the body. In high amounts, side effects include: nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, heartburn, diarrhea, and seizures.
  XGuarana: derived from the seeds of a South American tree and has the highest concentration of caffeine among any place. Side effects include sleep problems, anxiety, restlessness, upset stomach, and quickened heartbeat.

Together, all these ingredients are a concoction for disaster.

Insomnia is scary. Source

The top 10 side effects of energy drinks are:
  X1. Palpitations / tachycardia
  X2. Tremors / shaking
  X3. Agitation / restlessness
  X4. Gastrointestinal upset
  X5. Chest pain / ischaemia
  X6. Dizziness / syncope
  X7. Paraesthesia (tingling or numbing of the skin)
  X8. Insomnia
  X9. Respiratory distress
  X10. Headache

Death by caffeine is not uncommon, especially when mixed with alcohol.
In a college student study, it was found that 50% consume at least 1 energy drink per month with many users consuming 3 or more when combined with alcohol while partying. Many of the participants had jolt and crash episodes. Furthermore, Monster Energy has been cited with several deaths. The FDA does not regulate the drinks since they are considered supplements. Monster Energy went as far as classifying themselves as a supplement and not a drink to avoid being regulated.
Finally, there are thousands of emergency room Energy Drink cases every year. Although most of these cases are in combination with alcohol, most of the people who ended up in the ER had only drank 1 drink.

Last weekend, I went home to visit my parents for Halloween. I slept very little the night before and decided to consume a Monster Low-Carb Energy drink. I drove for 3 ½ hours feeling fine. Around hour 4, I noticed that my heart was racing. My legs soon become numb as did my face. I felt paralyzed before being consumed by a tingling sensation. I called my father (who is a physician).

“Dad? What are the symptoms of a stroke? I think I’m having one.”
I listed my symptoms and told him I had drank Monster Energy.
“YOU DRANK WHAT?! HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU TO NOT DRINK THOSE?! THOSE ARE SUPER DANGEROUS AND THERE ARE SO MANY PROBLEMS. ARE YOU STUPID OR WHAT?”

Monster Energy. Source

He told me to lay down and take it easy. I didn’t tell him that I was coming home.
Around 15 minutes later, I couldn’t breathe. My throat was closing up and I was severely dehydrated. I felt my blood pressure was spiking in enormous amounts. I didn’t have cell service and there wasn’t a town for 100 miles. I soon began to get light-headed and dizzy. I kept looking at my phone until it said “Extended 1x.” I had enough service to make a quick 1 minute phone call at most.

“DAD. LISTEN. I’M 100 MILES FROM EL PASO AND I F***** UP. OKAY?! I F***** UP. I think I’m dying. You need to pick me up at the border checkpoint. BYE.”

He met me at the checkpoint and I was almost passed out. He replenished my fluids and kept a heart monitor on me all night.
It was the most embarrassing night of my life—and it could happen to you. Next time you think of consuming an energy drink, consider the side effects. You don’t want to end up a statistic.

EKG. Source

Sources:
Avcı, Sema, Rıdvan Sarıkaya, and Fatih Büyükcam. “Death of a Young Man after Overuse of Energy Drink.”The American Journal of Emergency Medicine: 1624.e3-624.e4. Print.

Jaslow, Ryan. “Energy Drinks Increase Heart Contractions, Study Shows: Dangerous?” CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 2 Dec. 2013. Web. 6 Nov. 2014. .

Malinauskas, Brenda M, Victor G Aeby, Reginald F Overton, Tracy Carpenter-Aeby, and Kimberly Barber-Heidal. “A Survey Of Energy Drink Consumption Patterns Among College Students.” Nutrition Journal: 35. Print.

“Energy Drink Side Effects.” Energy Drink Side Effects. Web. 6 Nov. 2014. (http://www.caffeineinformer.com/energy-drink-side-effects)