I was first introduced to pre-workout energy drinks my freshmen year of college. My roommate used to use NO-Xplode. After a few weeks of use he started to develop a tolerance for it. For an extra boost at the gym and to offset his tolerance he started mixing his Lemon-Lime NO-Xplode with Mountain Dew. Before I go any farther I want to clarify that this practice is NOT recommended and can actually fatigue your body. Let me explain…

I knew my roommate was insane and that he was doing terrible things to his body by mixing Mountain Dew and NO-Xplode. But years later, after I got a full-time job, I found myself drinking Sugar-Free Rockstar Energy Drinks during work so I could beat the 3:00PM energy low. Then I would get home and drink my Pre-Workout Energy Drink, Jack3d, and hit the gym.

Side Effects

After a few days of this I found my energy levels slump significantly at work and at they gym. The more caffeine I took the more tired I would get. I couldn’t make it longer than 30 minutes at the gym, if I even felt like going, and I would sleep during my 15 minute breaks at work. I didn’t get a pump while working out and the amount of weight I could lift dropped drastically. My body was polluted with caffeine.

“caffeine puts your body in this “fight-or-flight” state, which is useless while you’re just sitting at your desk. When this adrenal high wears off later, you feel the drop in terms of fatigue, irritability, headache or confusion.” This fact on
caffeine is from Naturalnews.com

After this adrenal high at work my body would reject the Jack3d, or any other pre-workout energy drink, and my workout would be useless.

Use moderation with all workout supplements that you take into your body. The key is to listen to your body. If it makes you feel bad then it is bad. Use wisdom in all things.