If you are an avid gamer, then you know more than anyone that gaming can be intense and competitive. It takes a special kind of person with a unique set of skills to be good at gaming, whether you game just for fun or you do it competitively. You need to have great hand-eye coordination, excellent stamina to keep your energy high, and a drive to stay committed to the game.
Regardless if you like to game by yourself, with your friends, or you like to compete against others online, gaming can take a lot out of you. While you might not be physically doing anything, your mind is certainly getting a workout and that can be just as exhausting, if not more so, than actual exercise. So if you need an energy boost while you game, then an energy drink is probably what you will reach for.
Energy drinks are probably known for their bad reputation in recent news and studies, but when used in moderation they can give you that extra boost you need to help you play your best. Or, if you’re someone who needs an extra boost of energy the next morning after a night spent awake playing games with your friends, then an energy drink can be just the thing you need to help get you through the day.
We’ll cover in this article the science behind energy drinks, the concerns many people have about them, and how to stay safe while drinking them. Everything is okay in moderation, and energy drinks can be a good source of energy if you know how to drink them safely. So if you find yourself reaching for something to give you that extra boost that you need while gaming, then keep reading for your guide on the 3 best energy drinks for gaming.
Here’s what you can expect to learn by the end of this article:
- How do energy drinks work
- The dangers of overindulging in energy drinks
- How can energy drinks help with gaming
- The 3 best energy drinks for gaming
How Do Energy Drinks Work?
The ins and outs of how energy drinks help give you an extra edge
As their names suggest, energy drinks help you stay energized for whatever you do during the day (or night) to help you stay awake. Everyone is pretty familiar with energy drinks and you’ve probably had your fair share of them in the past, or maybe you even still drink them regularly today. But how exactly do energy drinks work?
Adenosine is a neurotransmitter that is naturally found within our bodies that stimulates our bodies to promote our desire to sleep. Adenosine is what triggers our body to go into sleep drive, or that tired feeling you get when your body is trying to tell you it is time to catch some sleep.
Our sleep drive is what helps our body stay regulated on a sleep and awake cycle; this is how the body regulates how much sleep it needs. Getting a good sleep is important for your health and can help with both your physical and mental health. The longer you stay awake, the stronger your sleep drive becomes and when you finally do sleep, the stronger and more intense your sleep will be.
So what does this have to do with energy drinks? Well, energy drinks work because they have a certain amount of caffeine in them. Caffeine blocks adenosine and causes the neurons in your brain to fire. Because your body is unable to process adenosine and go into sleep drive, it believes your body is in distress and will send out your fight or flight response to your body. This causes your body to produce adrenaline, which in turn gives you energy.
The Dangers of Overindulging in Energy Drinks
Everything can be okay in moderation, but overindulging can also be dangerous
Energy drinks work because they contain high amounts of caffeine (usually more than the recommended amount or a cup of coffee). Because of the amount of caffeine that energy drinks have, this can cause complications in our bodies. In 2011 alone, 1,499 adolescents ages 12 to 17 years went to the emergency room for an energy drink related emergency.
Some of the other complications that can occur because of energy drinks include:
- Panic attacks and increased anxiety (feeling anxious and upset)
- Dehydration (not enough water intake for your body to function properly)
- Insomnia (an inability to fall or stay asleep)
- Heart complications (irregular heartbeat, heart failure, heart palpitations, etc.)
The risks that energy drinks can pose are serious, but this also doesn’t mean that drinking one energy drink every so often to help you stay energized for that great game you’re playing will have long-lasting health consequences. Of course, you know your body best so use your best judgment. But if you want to limit some of the risks of drinking energy drinks while still getting your buzz, there are some tips to help.
The biggest tip when drinking energy drinks is not to overindulge in them. Try to moderate yourself to just one energy drink, or choose one with less caffeine than the others. The recommended dose of caffeine is up to 400 mg a day for a healthy adult, so try to keep that in mind when choosing which energy drink to buy. Energy drinks also contain a lot of sugar, so limiting your intake of them is never a bad idea.
Another tip is to look for energy drinks with more natural caffeine and a little less sugar. You’ll still get the caffeine kick you need to stay energized while gaming, but you can skip out on some of the sugar intake. This might also make your comedown from your energy drink a little easier.
If you are worried about drinking energy drinks and you don’t want to risk it, there are other options out there. Dr. Emil’s XP-RX is a supplement made specifically for gaming. Formulated with the following ingredients, XP-RX is the perfect supplement for gamers to give you the extra push you need:
- Teacrine (supports dopamine and reduces fatigue)
- Caffeine (to keep you energized)
- Dynamine (increases alertness for quick responses)
- Vitamin D (improves vision and supports eye health)
- Huperzine A (supports memory and mental functions)
Gaming supplements aren’t a new concept in the supplement world, but can a gaming supplement really help you play better? The short answer is yes, but the long answer is it depends on what ingredients it contains. With Dr. Emil’s XP-RX, it is formulated with the best ingredients and is backed by a real doctor, so you know the product you are getting can be trusted to work.
How Can Energy Drinks Help With Gaming?
The short answer to how energy drinks can help with gaming is pretty simple and obvious; they give you energy so you can keep playing. While some energy drinks might go above and beyond to give you energy and have other ingredients to keep you alert or they might have less sugar, they all essentially do the same. For this reason, choosing one might be difficult. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place for a list of the 3 best energy drinks for gaming. Check them out below.
1. Bang Energy
Stay energized without all of the extra sugar added
Bang Energy is formulated with 300 mg of caffeine which is less than the recommended daily amount but more than enough to keep you fueled for your game. However, because of the high concentration of caffeine one is all you will need to keep you energized. Drinking that much caffeine in one sitting will also give you the buzz of energy to make you feel wide awake for your next big game. Bang also has zero calories and zero sugar, so you can get your buzz of energy without all the extra added sugar. Bang also comes in a variety of flavors, so there are tons to choose from.
2. Ghost Gamer
A gaming supplement in energy drink form
Ghost Gamer is an interesting energy supplement because it comes in powder form that you mix yourself. This makes it easy to customize your flavor so if you prefer something a little less sweet, use less powder. Ghost Gamer is sugar free, gluten free, and provides you with natural energy and helps you to stay focused so you can up your gaming strategy. Each serving has 75 mg of caffeine so you can have your caffeine in moderation. This is a good selection of energy drinks if you are trying to cut back on your caffeine intake or you want to start off slow and consume more as you need.
3. Monster Energy
Get ready to play your best game yet
There’s a reason that Monster Energy is one of the most popular energy drink brands out there. Chances are when you hear someone talking about energy drinks they are talking about Monster. Monster energy has 160 mg of caffeine per can, making it a good medium between Bang’s 300mg and Ghost’s 75 mg. Monster comes in a variety of flavors so if you don’t like the taste of energy drinks, they even offer coffee flavors for those who like something sweeter but still have a kick of energy.
When picking an energy drink for gaming, it’s important to remember the risks that come along with consuming energy drinks. Energy drinks can give you some extra stamina and energy to play your best, stay up all night playing with your friends, or can help you the next morning when you feel like you are dragging. Just remember to drink them in moderation and consult your doctor if you experience any side effects.
If you are still weary about energy drinks, there are other gaming supplements out there to help you enhance your gaming experience. Dr. Emil’s XP-RX is just one example of a gaming supplement that is good for you while giving you the energy you need. Just do your research, choose the right option for you, and get back to playing the game you love.
