Backstory

        In a world so polarized, there’s still one idea we all rally behind: drugs are bad. Since childhood, we’ve been taught that doing drugs opens doors that were never meant to be opened—and that criminalizing hard drugs is not only justifiable but necessary. But how would you feel if we told you that loopholes allow some of these substances to remain legal?

        Buying an energy drink is a normal part of daily life. They help us survive long homework nights and study sessions that stretch into the early morning hours. But how would you feel if one of those drinks was so addictive that it could lead you to rehab?

Feel Free: A “Wellness” Drink Doing More Harm Than Good

        Feel Free is marketed as a wellness tonic designed to provide short bursts of energy and relaxation. Sold in local gas stations, it appeals to individuals recovering from alcohol addiction or anyone needing a boost. But after trying it, many found they couldn’t stop drinking it. And it wasn’t because it tasted good—the flavor is widely described as unbearable—but because it contains kratom.

Kratom, a substance flagged as a concern by the Drug Enforcement Administration, is the primary active ingredient in these so-called wellness shots. It acts on the brain's opioid receptors, causing strong dependency and painful withdrawal symptoms. It functions much like heroin, yet it’s legally sold in your neighborhood convenience store.

        Users have reported heavy reliance on Feel Free, with some purchasing up to ten bottles per day. This behavior has led to financial strain, loss of control, and severe health consequences. Those attempting to quit faced intense withdrawal symptoms, including total loss of motivation—and in some cases—hospitalization.

Fighting Back

        A class-action lawsuit has been filed in California against the manufacturer, Botanic Tonics, claiming the company misled consumers by promoting Feel Free as a “safe” and “sober” alternative to alcohol—while failing to disclose its addictive potential and dangerous health effects.

The lawsuit alleges that consumers were tricked into purchasing the drink and have since suffered from hospitalizations, seizures, and opioid-like withdrawals.

Why GENfluenced Cares

        To us, Feel Free isn’t just a public health concern—it’s a clear-cut case of ethical malpractice. This is a brand that leaned on misleading marketing, using terms like “natural” and “sober” purely to boost sales—while ignoring the real dangers facing consumers.

        We see Botanic Tonics exploiting a regulatory gray area for profit, operating without proper oversight, and placing corporate gain over consumer safety. Feel Free represents exactly why GENfluenced exists. As teens entering the business world, we must advocate for a future that puts people before profits. It’s time we hold companies accountable for their products and their practices.

        There is an urgent need for stronger regulation around alternative products—and a critical reminder that “natural” does not always mean safe.

 

Stay Informed. Stay Aware. Stay GENfluenced.

 

Sources Used

CBS News. “Kratom Drink ‘Feel Free’ Marketed as Alcohol Alternative Leaves Some Addicted.” CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024,
www.cbsnews.com/news/kratom-drink-feel-free-botanic-tonic-addiction/.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Kratom: Unsafe and Ineffective.” Mayo Clinic, 13 Jan. 2023,
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/kratom/art-20402171.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Kratom.” NIDA, 2024,
nida.nih.gov/research-topics/kratom.

The Guardian. “The ‘Sober’ Drink That Can Make You Dependent: Inside the Feel Free Kratom Controversy.” The Guardian, 30 Aug. 2024,
www.theguardian.com/wellness/article/2024/aug/30/feel-free-sober-drinking-dependency-kratom.