Where Does Your Energy Come From and Where Does It Go?

Constant fatigue, lack of motivation, feeling like you have “no strength left” – this is the plague of the 21st century. We often think we just lack energy. But is that really true? Or are we simply directing it where it shouldn’t be? And how do “miracle” remedies that promise a quick energy boost actually work?

Today, we’re diving into the nature of energy, the reasons for its disappearance, and why the use of artificial boosters might not be a solution, but rather a self-deception with long-term consequences.

Where Does Your Energy Disappear To?

I’m firmly convinced that we all have enough energy; we just don’t always use it effectively. A large part of our vital force simply dissipates in daily processes that drain us but often go unnoticed:

• Inner conflicts and unresolved emotions: Deeply hidden anger, grudges, guilt, shame, fears – all of these require an enormous amount of energy to suppress and conceal.
• Anxiety and the need for control: Constant worrying about the future, trying to control uncontrollable things, perfectionism – this is endless mental activity, a hole through which energy leaks like water.
• Relationship problems: Toxic relationships, feelings of unworthiness, trying to please others, inability to set boundaries – all of this drains emotional and physical energy.
• Unfulfilling work or activities: If you spend most of your day doing something that brings you no joy or sense of purpose, your body naturally resists, and that requires a lot of energy.
• Unhealthy lifestyle: Insufficient sleep, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, dehydration – these are physical energy thieves that directly affect our vitality.

When we redirect our attention and inner resources, heal our emotional wounds and fears, restore our self-worth, and engage in what truly matters to us, what brings joy and meaning, energy naturally arises and replenishes daily.

Artificial Energy Boosting: What It Is and How It Works?

More and more people, feeling a lack of energy, reach for “quick fixes” – various food supplements and drinks that promise an instant energy surge. The most popular among them are energy drinks and specialized food supplements, including various powders or capsules designed to increase alertness. Let’s explore how they work and why this isn’t a natural state for the body.

Boosting substances

1. Caffeine and Caffeine Sources:

   • Caffeine is the most powerful and commonly used booster. It blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, which are responsible for the feeling of sleepiness. The result is increased alertness, focus, and a sense of energy.
   • In some supplements and drinks, caffeine can be sourced from plant extracts, such as guarana seeds, which have an exceptionally high caffeine concentration. While it’s believed that caffeine from guarana is absorbed more slowly, leading to a longer and more consistent effect, the mechanism remains the same – a boosting effect through caffeine.

2. Niacin (Vitamin B3):

   • Certain energy-boosting supplements, designed for rapid effects, may contain niacin. In higher doses, niacin can cause what’s known as a “niacin flush.” This is a sudden but temporary skin redness, warmth, tingling, or even burning sensation, which can appear within minutes.
   • This reaction occurs because niacin dilates small blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the skin’s surface. Some manufacturers may present this as “awakening the body” or a “felt effect,” when in reality, it’s a side effect indicating a higher dose. While niacin is essential for energy metabolism, such a sudden and intense reaction is not a direct energy production process.

3. Other B Vitamins:

   • Other B vitamins (e.g., B1, B2, B5, B6, B12) are vital for normal energy metabolism and nervous system function. However, they do not provide an immediate energy boost like caffeine or niacin. Their effect is long-term and supportive, not “boosting.”

4. Additional Substances:

   • Many energy drinks and supplements also contain other compounds like taurine or glucuronolactone. While various properties are attributed to them, their synergistic effect with caffeine can amplify the boosting effect..

Why Is This Dangerous?

Using strong boosting supplements is like taking an “energy advance.” It’s a self-deception that masks true fatigue, pushes it off until tomorrow, and prevents us from listening to the signals our body sends.

Here’s why it’s dangerous:

• Masks the real causes: When we feel tired, it’s a signal that something needs to change in our lives, that our body needs rest, nourishment, peace, or simply a mental reset. Boosters don’t eliminate these causes; they merely temporarily “mask” the symptoms.
• The “advance” comes with a price: Like any advance, it must be paid back. Quickly gained energy often ends in a crash, leaving you feeling even more exhausted afterward. In the long run, this can lead to chronic fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, depression, digestive issues, and even damage to the cardiovascular system.
• The body doesn’t joke around: The body is a harmonious system. Constantly pushing it, ignoring its fatigue signals, leads to overexertion and potential health problems.
• Dependency: Regular use of boosters can lead to physical and psychological dependency. The body becomes accustomed to the artificial boost, making it difficult to feel energetic without it.
• Overdose risk: High doses of boosting substances are dangerous. The example of a girl who, after just a few scoops of such a “safe and highly effective” supplement, felt her entire body burning with heat, clearly shows that this is not a harmless vitamin drink, but a powerful product that can be overdosed.

True Energy – It’s Within You

If you constantly seek boosters, it might be a sign that you’re experiencing deep fatigue, a lack of motivation, or you’re trying to be productive by force, ignoring your body’s and mind’s needs.

Instead of seeking quick but temporary solutions, let’s ask ourselves:

• Where is my energy truly disappearing? Try to identify the energy thieves in your daily life.
• How can I naturally regain my strength?
  • Quality sleep: Get enough hours of sleep and try to maintain a regular sleep schedule.
  • Healthy relationships: Raising self-worth, healing guilt and fears, and learning to say “NO” can change a lot.
  • Physical activity: Regular movement not only improves mood but also increases long-term energy levels.
  • Hydration: Dehydration is a common cause of fatigue. Drink enough water.
  • Stress reduction: Practice meditation, mindfulness, and choose calm and trust.
  • Time for yourself: Dedicate time to your favorite activities, hobbies, and being in nature.
  • Review your goals: Do your life’s pace and expectations match your capabilities? Perhaps you need to reduce the load.

Let’s start listening to ourselves and addressing the real causes of energy deficiency. True, sustainable energy comes from within us – from a balanced life and inner harmony, not from a capsule or a “safe” energy drink.

What are your thoughts on this? Share your insights and experiences in the comments.

With love, Indre Asada