Some relaxation drinks are marketed as anti-energy drinks. Theyre perfectly legal. They dont contain alcohol. But many do contain herbs other unregulated substances.
Neuro Sleep, DreamWater or Purple Stuff — the beverage industry thinks we all need to relax and theyre busy making and marketing drinks to help.
We found several North Texans who are sipping away.
It actually did relax me. I was stressing out and it helped a lot, so it did relax me, said Dallas Resident Analise Ness.
I mean, I didnt feel this overwhelming, oh Im calm and relaxed. Maybe it was more of a mental thing. Im not sure, but it seemed to help, said Dallas Resident Hannah Gill.
Some doctors say theyre skeptical.
Im more concerned about potential for how it effects judgement, how it effects personality, said Dallas Physician Dr.Paul Worrell.
Worrell says many of these relaxation drinks contain valerian root, an herb used to calm. He says Valium was developed as an outgrowth of people using valerian root.
It has a calming effect. It you take enough valerian, just like Valium, people get glassy eyed, they dont think as quickly, he said.
We showed several of the drinks to folks downtown Dallas today. Some told us is reminded them of the street cocktail made popular in this rap video
I think of cough syrup, like sizzurp, said Dallas Resident Molly Allen.
In fact, last month the Department of Justice issued a warning saying theres been a resurgence in abuse of purple drank. Its an illegal combination of codeine with, lemon-lime soda and hard candy.
Worrell is concerned the relaxation drinks could lead to dependency. He says if theyre mixed with anything else the results could be damaging.
Its well documented in medical literature, that if you mix alcohol and say Xanax and Valium derivative together, that you not only get an additive effect, you get a synergistic effect that multiplies the effect of it and thats dangerous, said Worrell.
Still many told us they drinks seem worth a try.
Probably just to see if they worked. I mean, who doesnt want to relax? said Rockwall Resident David Villalba.
Worrell actually thinks these relaxation drinks arent as harmful as energy drinks like Four Loko. He does think the FDA should take a closer look at them and he thinks they will.