Smart drink

Smart drinks, also known as nootropic drinks, are beverages made from a mix of fruit juices, vitamins, herbal supplements, and a variety of amino acid supplements.

History

The consumption of smart drinks and "smart drugs" began in the early 1980s when baby boomers started using because they believed these products would improve job performance and give them a competitive edge in the workplace. The popularity of smart drinks peaked during the early 1990s, as all-night techno and house music parties took place, events of the underground dance culture at the time, known as "raves". Rave enthusiasts preferred drugs such as ecstasy, methamphetamine, ketamine, or "poppers" to alcohol. Instead of drinking alcoholic beverages at raves, the dancers would drink smart drinks. Smart drinks not only held a novelty factor for the vibrant social subculture, but they also helped rave promoters by eliminating the need to secure alcohol sales permits and therefore allowed raves to be held outside of the traditional nightclub, bar or pub scene.

Smart drink ingredients often include substances such as DL-phenylalanine or L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, choline (trimethylaminoethanol), pyroglutamic acid, B vitamins, glucuronolactone, and DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol). These amino acids were claimed to have positive or enhanced effects on alertness, stress resistance and energy levels. Some of the acids, then considered "foods" and nutritional supplements by government agencies like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), changed in status and have since been removed from store shelves. Others are still available when prescribed by a doctor.

External links

• "Wise Up, Sweetheart". Discover Magazine. 2007-05-25. Archived from the original on 2016-08-20. Retrieved 2023-01-13. otent potables ... called think drinks, or smart drinks: nonalcoholic beverages enhanced with additives alleged by their purveyors to improve memory, concentration, learning, and general well-being and to reverse some of the effects of aging.

• "Feed Your Head Vitamin, Nutrient, Herb Concoctions 'Turning On' The". The Morning Call. 1992-07-21. Archived from the original on 2013-07-10. Retrieved 2023-01-13. Concoctions of vitamins, nutrients, herbs and amino acids, "smart" products like Miss Kitty's are the latest rage among the enlightened of the 1990s, considered a salvation of sorts by the stressed-out middle-aged set seeking to recapture youthful vitality and twentysomethings coming up empty after endless trips through the tunnel of drugs and alcohol.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
• "West Coast Trend: 'Smart' Drinks Touted As Pick-me-up For Body". tribune digital-chicago tribune. 1992-03-18. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2023-01-13. The blenderized concoctions have become de rigueur at the trendiest San Francisco clubs and night spots, where smart bars offer cocktails with names like Energy Elicksure and Psuper Psonic Psyber Tonic. Users say the drinks are a better social lubricant than alcohol; they provide pep and increase conversational skills; and you can still drive home safely.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)