I Quit Energy Drinks for 30 Days. Here's What Actually Happened.

For five years, I started every day the same way: crack open a Monster at 7am, another at noon, sometimes a third if I had evening plans. Three cans a day. Every single day.

I knew it was bad. But I also knew I couldn't function without them. Or so I thought.

This is what happened when I finally quit.

Why I Decided to Stop

I'm 28. Last month, my doctor told me my resting heart rate was 92 bpm. That's not normal. He asked about my caffeine intake.

"Three energy drinks a day," I said.

He didn't yell. He just said, "You're 28. Your heart shouldn't be working this hard."

That hit different.

I was also:

• Spending $540/month on energy drinks
• Sleeping 4-5 hours a night (and it was garbage sleep)
• Having panic attacks for "no reason"
• Constantly shaky and anxious

I didn't want to quit. But I needed to.

Day 1: False Confidence

I woke up, didn't grab a Monster, and felt... fine? Weirdly proud of myself.

By 2pm, I had a dull headache. By 4pm, I was exhausted. By 6pm, I went to bed.

Reality check: Day 1 was the easiest day. I just didn't know it yet.

Days 2-4: Absolute Hell

I'm not exaggerating. This was the worst I've felt in years.

Symptoms:

• Pounding migraine that Advil barely touched
• Fatigue so deep I could barely stand in the shower
• Irritability (I snapped at my roommate for breathing too loud)
• Brain fog (forgot my own phone number)
• Nausea

I almost caved on Day 3. I stood in front of the fridge at 7-Eleven staring at the Red Bull section for a full minute.

What stopped me? I texted my friend: "I'm about to break."

She replied: "You're already 3 days in. That's the hardest part. Don't waste it."

I bought coconut water and left.

Days 5-7: The Climb Out

The headaches started fading. The fatigue was still brutal, but not "can't get out of bed" brutal.

I started drinking green tea in the morning (way less caffeine, but something). Ate more protein. Took walks.

Small win: I slept 7 hours straight for the first time in months. Woke up groggy, but actually rested.

Week 2: Glimpses of Something Better

Around Day 10, I noticed something weird: I wasn't shaking anymore.

I didn't realize my hands had a constant tremor until it stopped. That's how normalized it had become.

Other changes:

• Anxiety attacks: down from daily to once this week
• Heart rate: dropped to 78 bpm (checked on my watch)
• Mood: less irritable, more stable
• Energy: still low, but climbing

The struggle: I still craved energy drinks. Not for energy. For the ritual. The crack of the can. The taste. The habit.

I switched to sparkling water. Helped more than I expected.

Week 3: The Turning Point

This is when it clicked.

I woke up on Day 16 and realized I had energy before drinking anything. Natural energy. Not jittery, crash-prone energy. Just... normal human energy.

What improved:

• Sleep: 7-8 hours consistently, better quality
• Skin: clearer (didn't expect this)
• Digestion: way better (energy drinks wrecked my stomach)
• Focus: sharper, especially in the afternoon
• Money: saved $135 this week alone

The cravings: Still there, but weaker. More like a passing thought than an urgent need.

Week 4: The Finish Line (And Beyond)

By Day 30, I felt like a different person.

• Resting heart rate: 68 bpm (doctor was shocked)
• Sleep: 8 hours, deep, restorative
• Anxiety: almost gone
• Energy levels: stable all day, no crashes
• Money saved: $540
• Cravings: rare, easy to ignore

Unexpected benefits:

• My teeth look whiter (less acid staining)
• I lost 6 pounds (probably water weight and sugar)
• I stopped getting afternoon headaches
• My mood is so much more stable
• I can think clearly without chemical help

What I Wish I'd Known

1. Withdrawal is temporary, but it's real. The first week is brutal. That's not a reason to quit quitting. That's your body healing.

2. Hydration is everything. I drank 10+ glasses of water daily. It helped with headaches, fatigue, and cravings.

3. Find a substitute ritual. I replaced energy drinks with sparkling water in a nice glass. Sounds silly, but the ritual mattered.

4. Don't do it alone. Tell someone. Use an app. Join a community. I used Uncanly to track my progress and it kept me accountable.

5. Your energy will come back. It takes 2-3 weeks, but it does. And it's better energy. Sustainable energy.

Would I Ever Go Back?

A month ago, I would've laughed at the idea of quitting. Now?

I grabbed a Monster at a gas station last week (old habit). Opened it. Smelled it. And dumped it out.

It smelled like anxiety and 4am crashes and heart palpitations. I didn't want it anymore.

The honest truth: I don't miss them. I miss the idea of them. The quick fix. The easy energy.

But I don't miss:

• The 2pm crash
• The 3am insomnia
• The constant shaking
• The $540/month habit
• The anxiety
• The racing heart

If You're Thinking About Quitting

You can do this. I'm not special. I'm not some health guru. I was drinking 3 cans a day for years.

Here's what helped me:

• Pick a start date (not "someday")
• Get rid of the drinks in your house
• Tell one person
• Track your progress (I used Uncanly)
• Expect hell for days 2-4, but push through
• Replace the ritual (tea, sparkling water, whatever works)
• Give it the full 30 days before judging

The first week is the hardest. Week 2 is better. Week 3, you'll start feeling human again. Week 4, you'll wonder why you waited so long.

30 days. That's all it took to get my life back.

You don't have to do it perfectly. You just have to start.

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Ready to quit? Uncanly helps you track your progress, beat cravings, and connect with others on the same journey.