First, exactly what those energy pills are made out of. Despite the packaging claims, in which a host of mysterious tropical herbs, chemical substances, and other fancy-sounding stuff is trotted out, the primary ingredient in the vast majority of energy pills is caffeine. This is one of the most commonly-used stimulants in the Western world, naturally produced in a number of plants. In most pills, this caffeine is delivered as a white, chalky substance known as xanthine alkaloid. Energy pills containing caffeine slightly speed up the human metabolism, as well as decreasing the effect of certain areas of the bran – most notably, the warning indicators that tell us if we are hungry or tired.

While turning off those areas of the brain that hold us back may seem like a good idea, it can have serious repercussions. If the body is given too much stimulation without an appropriate resting phase, serious neurological damage can occur. Energy pills can permanently affect the brain’s uptake of important chemicals, causing habitual users to develop a dependency. Caffeine dependency is very difficult to overcome, as the user’s entire metabolic cycle can become dependent on it. With a greater and greater percentage of young people using energy pills and drinks, this is poised to be one of the greatest health crises of the 21st century.

Are energy pills always unsafe? No – in moderation, on rare occasions, they can be useful in helping an individual muster that extra bit of focus they need to get through a trying situation. But they are not a miracle drug, and their returns diminish with use, so users must be cautious and prudent with their intake. If you are already a habitual energy pill user, I encourage you to contact a doctor and develop a reduction program before you do yourself permanent harm.