Do you ever wish you could instantly regen by drinking a pot, just like you do in-game? A couple of WoW players and entrepreneurs have created a real life "potion" which has the effect of "+160 to mana" which is defined as "5 - 8 hours of smooth, jitter-free energy". This energy shot is called the Mana Energy Potion and is only available online, but will be available to adventurous gamers in the Los Angeles area soon.

I haven't tried this stuff, but the spousal unit is anxious to order some with a fellow WoW player, so I did some reading. Here are some important details:

• Despite the large looking bottle depicted on the front page of the website (and to the right), the potion is only 40 ml which is less than 3 tablespoons.
• It is not regulated by the FDA because it is a supplement and not a drink, though the labeling is regulated.
  
• You have to be 12 years old or older to purchase.
• It is only available in the United States.
• It contains no sugar and is only 20 calories.
• It changes color.
• They cost $3.45 each, not including shipping and handling.
• It has a citrus flavor.

I have to say, there is a lot about this that worries me, even if I ignore my ripoff alarm. According to the About page, the potion changes color because the B12 oxidizes, but they promise that the potency of each potion remains the same. I would like to know how they ascertain the potency before and after oxidation.

And then there is the potency. They equate one Mana Energy Potion to 2 Red Bull energy drinks. That's a whole lot of caffeine. Do you really want to be consuming that much of a drug (and make no mistake, caffeine is a drug) without the FDA approving it?

Maybe I'm being overly squeamish. And maybe it's worth a few bucks just to have a mana/energy pot sitting on my desk. And maybe Blizzard won't mind the Tauren fan art on the buy page. And maybe it could become a collector's item if they do.

With 10 million potential customers, I can see why entrepreneurs are looking to tap into the WoW gamer market. What do you think of this idea? Have you tried a Mana Energy Potion? If not, are you tempted?

Tags: energy-drink, mana-energy-potion

Filed under: Fan stuff, Odds and ends, Forums, Analysis / Opinion