This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Fainite Auguste. Find her on Instagram at @ceilingdancing. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
People have been tossing the brand names “New Brew” and “Happy Pop” around in the past few weeks. People were of course influenced to buy the products, but started to wonder why it was required to be legal drinking age to purchase a product that was “alcohol-free.” What is happy juice drink?
What is Gas Station Crack?
The phrase started to catch on after the TikToker, Emmy posted a video discussing her encounter with the New-Brew product. The term “gas station crack,” was popularized after Emmy referred to the New-Brew product as such. However, people have mixed up New-Brew and Happy Pop.
Before we continue with the controversy we must discuss what Crack is. Crack cocaine is a highly addictive and powerful stimulant that is derived from powdered cocaine. This drug took the lives of thousands of people and destroyed the health of thousands more. Although the “gas station crack” started as a joke. The actual drug is very serious and this fact should be remembered as we continue this conversation.
What are New Brew and Happy Pop
People have started talking about New Brew and Happy Pop but seem to be confused about the brand’s intentions. These products are marketed as energy drinks. Although both have colorful packaging; they are not from the same company. Let’s look closer at the ingredients in both of these products.
The Ingredients in New Brew
On the website, the New Brew website clearly states the ingredients. The first ingredient in the New Brew drink is Kratom and the second is Kava. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Kratom commonly refers to an herbal substance that can produce opioid-like effects.” In other words, yes it can make someone feel “high.”
Kratom is a tropical tree that grows in Southeast Asia. The substance is legal in the United States so these energy drink brands are not committing a crime for selling these gas station energy drinks. Products created from kratom leaves are available in the U.S. on the Internet and in person. Kratom is often used as an alternative treatment for people with chronic pain. People also use it to ease coughing, diarrhea, anxiety, and depression.
However, there are no medical drug products containing kratom that the Federal Drug and Food Administration approves. The FDA also strongly discourages people from using Kratom as a dietary supplement for things like weight loss or weight gain. Kratom is addictive when taken in a large enough dose and causes severe withdrawal symptoms.
The Ingredients in Happy Pop
Happy Pop does not contain any Kratom or Kava in their drinks according to the ingredients list for their three drinks on the website. But the brand has taken advantage of the meme’s popularity. Happy Pop has used the words “Gas Station Crack” in their marketing on TikTok; which is an odd choice to make since it was a mostly negative reaction to the New-Brew drink. This further confuses the customers who are actively trying to avoid Kratom.
The Company has three flavors so far: Tangerine Dream, Rainbow Drift, and Lemon Zing. Happy Pop claims that the energy drinks will boost energy while also lowering anxiety levels. All three flavors do contain dopa bean or Mucuna pruriens which have been medically proven to help with anxiety. Unfortunately Happy Pop does have caffeine as an ingredient which negatively impacts anxiety. Make sure to do further personal research on energy drinks and their impacts on your health. Look into FDA approved ways of reducing stress and anxiety before turning toward energy drinks.
So, what is happy juice drink? Are you planning on trying these drinks or has your mind changed? Let us know!
Leave a Reply