Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsReal life consumable: Mana Energy Potion
by Robin Torres 
Jan 31st 2008 at 1:00PM
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?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Odds and ends, Forums
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Lars Jan 31st 2008 4:17PM
I just looked at the label... WOW, over 6000% RDA of B-12! I know lack of B-12 is a pandemic that many suffer from, but could this have too much?
I just looked for information on ingesting too much B-12, I couldn't find much except this:
Itching, rash, transitory exanthema, and urticaria have been reported. Vitamin B-12 (20 micrograms/day) and pyridoxine (80mg/day) has been associated with cases of rosacea fulminans, characterized by intense erythema with nodules, papules, and pustules. Symptoms may persist for up to 4 months after the supplement is stopped, and may require treatment with systemic corticosteroids and topical therapy.
Ametrine Jan 31st 2008 2:58PM
Hmm... 6.90 + 4.55 shipping/handling, for 2.
that's just under 5.75 each, all charges included.
HELL no. If I'm gonna drop that much on something that's not even three tablespoons of stuff, then it better have gold, cocaine, or aphrodisiacs in the ingredient list.
Grindelwald Feb 2nd 2008 10:31AM
This comment is full of win, I agree 1000%.
Swarfy Jan 31st 2008 4:23PM
I'll take the 8 dollars that it would cost to get one of these(including shipping in that total), and go down to the store and by a REAL energy drink. Three tablespoons. Good lord. Takes at least a half of a Red Bull to pep me up...
Maureen Carter Jan 31st 2008 5:28PM
/scared
baudkarma Feb 3rd 2008 8:37PM
Are we really sure there's only 3 tablespoons in the bottle? That seems like an awfully small dose. They'll either be selling teeny tiny bottles, or regular-sized bottles with a lot of air in them.
Granted the information label says a "Serving Size" is 40ml, but that doesn't necessarily mean thats how much is in the bottle. Companies often choose smaller serving sizes for the nutrition label to make their stuff seem healthier, or not as bad as it really is.
Robin Torres Jan 31st 2008 8:21PM
Yes. It is 40 mL. http://www.manapotions.com/buy.html
Ryan Jan 31st 2008 10:02PM
cocaine energy drink for the win.
Fel Feb 1st 2008 2:38AM
Wait....it changes color? Wha?
bub Feb 1st 2008 5:26AM
Never trust anyone who wants to charge you $3.45 to drink 40ml of their "Man potion".
Eternalpayn Feb 1st 2008 7:48AM
This doesn't mean anything to me, caffeine does nothing for me. In energy drinks, they have other, stronger things to supplement it. I like the idea though, it's clever.
Theserene Feb 1st 2008 9:55AM
Tiny bottle, huge price.....
.....nahh, I'm not one to fall for ripoff merchants.
Drye Feb 4th 2008 2:52PM
I wrote a review myself and have some pics of the items up close. Give it a shot http://highndrye.blogspot.com
deggdegg Apr 11th 2008 9:01PM
So I bought a 6-pack off ThinkGeek, mainly due to that fact that I wanted the cool glass bottles to put alcohol in or something. >_>
Seems like they're got all the components of energy drinks all in one too, most have just the energy blend, or just the B vitamins, but these have both.