So, I've drank energy drinks every day for the past 7+ years. Terrible, I know. It came to a crescendo one week when, while taking SNRI's, took a bunch of ibuprofen for a bad back injury flare-up and drank heavily. Ended with me shitting blood and having to drive myself to the ER. Ever since then whenever I try to drink an energy drink it makes my stomach turn over, with one exception.

I drink so much red bull now. Too much. Like at least 24oz a day. Any other energy drink makes me feel sick, nauseous, like I can feel it poisoning me slowly. But red bull makes me feel so clear and nice. It's bad. It's so bad, but I'm not sure I'll stop until it is tangibly harming me again. I know it is a shitty attitude, but I struggle with BPD, adhd, fibromyalgia, chronic depression - just a slew of issues, and thinking about not relying on that pharmalogical crutch makes me want to cackle at how uncomfortable of an experience that would be

Main point, though: I wonder what it is about red bull that feels so much different and better than other caffiene cocktails, like what is it about their formula that makes the difference? Or is it purely a bizarre placebo effect and I just really, really like red bull?