Drank (soda)
Encyclopedia
Drank is a grape flavored soft drink
sold in the United States and Canada. It is marketed as a "Non-Energy" drink which causes relaxation as opposed to a sugar or caffeine jolt.
The Drank Website lists three active ingredients: melatonin
, rose hip
and Valerian root
. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone which can be used as a sleep aid; the others are herbs which purportedly cause relaxation.
Some distributors of Drank suggest it is an alternative to the illicit purple drank
.
conference in February 2010, Dr. Ronald Peters, Jr., of the University of Texas Health Science Center said of Drank: "They're taking the name, and they're trying to market it to young people." He described the beverage as "the worst thing I've ever seen on the street since the making of candy cigarettes."
, which can be dangerous when combined with medications or products that do similar things, such as alcohol
or anti-depressants. Gregory Carter, a neurologist on the clinical staff of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
told the Dallas Morning News that there is enough melatonin
in Drank to induce sleepiness, and that this effect could occur quickly because the melatonin is in dissolved form. Regarding Valerian, Carter said the content "likely is not enough to have a strong effect."
It has also been suggested that Valerian may be hepatotoxic
.
Soft drink
A soft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically contains water , a sweetener, and a flavoring agent...
sold in the United States and Canada. It is marketed as a "Non-Energy" drink which causes relaxation as opposed to a sugar or caffeine jolt.
The Drank Website lists three active ingredients: melatonin
Melatonin
Melatonin , also known chemically as N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is a naturally occurring compound found in animals, plants, and microbes...
, rose hip
Rose hip
The rose hip, or rose haw, is the fruit of the rose plant, that typically is red-to-orange, but ranges from dark purple to black in some species. Rose hips begin to form in spring, and ripen in late summer through autumn.-Usage:...
and Valerian root
Valerian (herb)
Valerian is a hardy perennial flowering plant, with heads of sweetly scented pink or white flowers which bloom in the summer months. Valerian flower extracts were used as a perfume in the sixteenth century....
. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone which can be used as a sleep aid; the others are herbs which purportedly cause relaxation.
Some distributors of Drank suggest it is an alternative to the illicit purple drank
Purple drank
Purple drank is a slang term for a recreational drug popular in the hip hop community in the southern United States, originating in Houston, Texas. Its main ingredient is prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine. Cough syrup is typically mixed with ingredients such as...
.
Controversy
Drank and similar commercial products have been criticized for their potential to serve as gateways to the dangerous illegal concoction called purple drank. At a mental healthMental health
Mental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
conference in February 2010, Dr. Ronald Peters, Jr., of the University of Texas Health Science Center said of Drank: "They're taking the name, and they're trying to market it to young people." He described the beverage as "the worst thing I've ever seen on the street since the making of candy cigarettes."
Effects on health
Health experts have warned that the herbal ingredients in Drank and similar beverages induce drowsiness and sedationSedation
Sedation is the reduction of irritability or agitation by administration of sedative drugs, generally to facilitate a medical procedure or diagnostic procedure...
, which can be dangerous when combined with medications or products that do similar things, such as alcohol
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
or anti-depressants. Gregory Carter, a neurologist on the clinical staff of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is one of the biomedical research institutions of the University of Texas System, incorporating three degree-granting institutions, four affiliated hospitals, including Parkland Memorial, the teaching hospital, and biomedical research...
told the Dallas Morning News that there is enough melatonin
Melatonin
Melatonin , also known chemically as N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is a naturally occurring compound found in animals, plants, and microbes...
in Drank to induce sleepiness, and that this effect could occur quickly because the melatonin is in dissolved form. Regarding Valerian, Carter said the content "likely is not enough to have a strong effect."
It has also been suggested that Valerian may be hepatotoxic
Hepatotoxicity
Hepatotoxicity implies chemical-driven liver damage.The liver plays a central role in transforming and clearing chemicals and is susceptible to the toxicity from these agents. Certain medicinal agents, when taken in overdoses and sometimes even when introduced within therapeutic ranges, may injure...
.