Energy drinks (such as Red Bull) are presented as harmless sources of instant "feel-great" energy.  Unfortunately, they come with side effects and their consumption should be limited or even avoided.  Ingredients of particular concern are high doses of caffeine and herbal ingredients such as: guarana, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and mau huang.

   Energy drinks usually contain 15-158 mg of caffeine per can and the herbs contain an unknown amount of caffeine on top of that.  Coffee has 150 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces.  

   Such said herbs, whether taken alone or with OTC medications, can aggravate manic psychotic symptoms and bring about tachycardia, insomnia, and exacerbate bipolar disorder's manic symptoms.  The effects are similar to that of diet pills, for they share common ingredients.

   Hold onto your seats, it gets worse.  The latest abomination to consumerism is the energy drink "Cocaine."  This can't be good.  I see this as a glorification of illegal drugs that may influence people (and our children) to think about (and hopefully not use) drugs, pills, and stimulants more often.  
   
  This drink (Cocaine) contains 280 milligrams of caffeine and claims to be 350% stronger than Red Bull.  It's initial "buzz" hits in 5 minutes and is followed by a caffeine boost 15 minutes later that lasts 5 (or more) hours.  It also features a numbing effect on one's mouth and throat to simulate such effects as seen in the drug cocaine.

   Some taste testers did not like it one bit:

Another hated the feeling the drink gave her.  "I don't like the tingly feeling in my chest.  I feel my heart racing and I'm not being paranoid...I feel looped."

   I am sure it would have the same, or worse effects on me.  I will not touch any energy drinks, pills, foods, nor the like.  I will have nothing to do with them because of the ill effects they produce.  I also feel that they are simply not necessary, not worth the health risks, and certainly not worth the money.