Okay, I'm walking into a gas station (like most of my blogs start) and what do I see in the window? An ad for something that makes you lazy? Really? LOL! They now sell a snack that helps you relax. Introducing, Lazy Cakes! Brownies that provides a cure for your sweet tooth and then takes you to Dreamland.
I'm guessing it's one ingredient away from hash brownies, but I haven't read the label on one yet. I did have a co-worker that said it contains a chemical that's used in children's ADHD medicine. Personally, I don't want my snacks to contain drugs, if that's the case, but to each their own.
And to the other extreme, we have Red Bull. A drink that's been around for a while now and can give you "artificial" energy. It's designed for those who think coffee drinking is for old people. Coffee has been the morning drink of choice for centuries, but marketing geniuses found a way to make a morning drink that appeals to a younger audience. So, Red Bull was invented and is now a youthful injection of get-up-and-go.
In fact, Red Bull is now so mainstream that it has even made it's way into nightclubs and bars. There are a number of drinks that can be mixed with Red Bull a la the "Vod-Bomb" or "DVR" (double Vodka and Red Bull).
Alcohol = depressant. Red Bull = stimulant. What does the drink do? Even you out? Actually, it does the opposite. Known side effects from mixing energy drinks with alcohol are: cardiovascular risk, impaired judgment, shortness of breath, dizziness, disorientation and rapid heart beat.
Okay, be honest, you laughed at the "impaired judgement," didn't you? That's the side effect of alcohol without energy drinks. LOL!
But, seriously, I guess the point I'm trying to make is: how sad is it that we have to manufacture energy and/or relaxation?
If you want energy or to stay awake, you go to Starbucks for a cup, quench a 5 Hour Energy or slam a Red Bull.
If you want to rest, you take Ambien, Lunesta, or now, chomp on a Lazy Cake.
Just because it's not sold in a dark alley doesn't mean you can't develop an addiction, people.
If you can't start your day without an artificial stimulant, then what's wrong?
If you can't get to sleep at night without a depressant, then what's wrong?
Our country had the hugest debate over healthcare recently. The insurance companies are making money left-and-right, but are concerned about having to pay out more to risky people.
I've never sided with health insurance companies on anything before, but for once, I can kind of see why they're concerned. Who would want to insure someone who has to have a stimulant to function every morning and a depressant just to go to sleep every evening?
No one wants to insure an addict.