Gaming energy drinks: natural booster vs. chemicals
Introduction
Gamers often turn to gaming boosters and energy drinks to improve their reaction time, endurance and focus during gaming sessions.
Unfortunately, conventional gaming energy drinks are not as effective as manufacturers often claim. They improve focus, endurance and reaction time, but also cause jitters and heightened sensitivity.
A new study on Guayusa as a gaming booster appeared in March 2022, reporting a 21% performance increase compared with a placebo and 12% compared with a conventional energy drink.
Contents
- The problem with conventional energy drinks and boosters
- Guayusa gaming energy drink
- Research on Guayusa
- Conclusion – Guayusa as a gaming energy drink
1. The problem with conventional energy drinks and boosters
Conventional gaming energy drinks and boosters are used not only in professional competitions but also in amateur and home tournaments. The reason is the performance boost promised by manufacturers. The research is mixed: some studies conclude that a significant increase in performance can be achieved, while others find no notable improvement among esports athletes.
Gaming energy drinks and boosters have also attracted worldwide attention because of their negative health effects. Some gamers drink several energy drinks during a session, which in the worst case can lead to hospitalisation. Studies also warn against the excessive promotion and consumption of boosters.
2. Guayusa gaming energy drink
Guayusa is a plant consumed in the Amazon rainforest and prepared like tea. Unlike mate, guarana or green tea, Guayusa has a particularly balanced mix of amino acids, antioxidants and stimulants such as caffeine, theobromine, theophylline, as well as L-theanine, described as a caffeine antagonist with calming and focus-enhancing effects.
You can find out more about Guayusa's ingredients in our article on the individual active compounds in Guayusa tea. It can give you a closer look at why Guayusa may work so well as a natural gaming energy drink.
3. Research on Guayusa
Several new studies on Guayusa as a gaming energy drink appeared in early 2022, including one from the University of Memphis College of Health Sciences.
In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised study, Guayusa was found to cause no jitters and to improve endurance and focus compared with conventional energy drinks.
3.1. Jitters
About an hour after consumption, synthetic energy drinks led to a 35% increase in the unpleasant feeling of jitters. Participants who consumed Guayusa, by contrast, reported no increase in this feeling.
The increase in the hormone adrenaline was also examined and was 82% lower with Guayusa. At excessively high levels, adrenaline can lead to uncontrolled reactions, including a fear-induced freeze response in both body and mind.
Many people recognise this paralysing feeling as a state of overwhelming stress.
3.2. Endurance
The vast majority also reported improved vitality, with more energy, effort and enthusiasm during a four-hour gaming session.
Caffeine absorption in the body was also examined. The results showed that the caffeine in Guayusa was absorbed faster and to a greater extent, and that its effects could be felt for longer.
The synthetic gaming energy drink reached its peak absorption later, and its effects wore off sooner.
Find out more about how long caffeine's effects last in our comparison of natural and synthetic caffeine.
3.3. Focus
The third key area studied was focus. It matters not only in gaming but in every kind of work and creative process.
55% of participants improved their performance score (AX-CPT score) and had a 12% better kill score than with conventional synthetic gaming energy drinks. Guayusa also significantly improved reaction time in more than 65% of participants.
4. Conclusion – Guayusa as a gaming energy drink
Synthetic gaming energy drinks and boosters will not disappear overnight. But over time, the improvement in overall performance—and therefore better gaming results—is bound to lead more and more consumers to make the switch.
In the end, results are what count. Guayusa may still seem ‘unsexy’ and ‘complicated’ to prepare, since it does not come in a can. But taking five minutes to prepare Guayusa tea before a gaming session can already make a difference to your score.
Preparing your own gaming energy drink also lets you choose its strength and, with that, its intensity.
Guayusa PURE and DARK are particularly suitable as a base, as both varieties are made from 100% Guayusa and therefore contain the highest proportion of active compounds.