Whether it’s smoking a cigarette or getting a caffeine fix at Starbucks, students always seem to be seeking a way to calm their nerves after a stressful day.But the “first extreme relaxation drink” hopes to curb some of that stress.Students, body builders and insomniacs are some of the many groups the up-and-coming beverage, Drank, caters to.Drank, an increasingly popular “anti-energy” beverage created by Houston’s Innovative Beverage Group, urges drinkers to “slow [their] roll.”The beverage claims to represent the hip-hop community. Today’s rappers “have a relaxed style and a smooth flavor that speaks to the young souls of people of all ages,” according to the product’s Web site, Drankbeverage.com.Drank was designed as a safe alternative to “purple drank,” which is actually prescription cough syrup with a mixture of codeine and promethazine. Much like the energy supplement Cocaine, Drank doesn’t contain the harmful ingredients of its narcotic big brother.Drank contains melatonin, valerian root and rose hips, according to the can’s label.Synthetic melatonin is used to treat insomnia and jetlag but can also have negative side effects like stomach cramps and headaches. Little is known about the results of long term melatonin use or its health benefits.Valerian root is a type of healing herb used in alternative medicine for its sedative effect but can also affect pregnancy, driving skills and the operation of machinery. Rose hips are known for their high amounts of vitamin C and antioxidant properties.Besides a listing of its ingredients, Drank also comes with a warning label that says it “may cause drowsiness” and is “not recommended [for] more than two servings within a 24 hour period.”Because of the increasing demand for the product, Drank distribution has increased in areas throughout the South, including several Louisiana locations such as Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Lafayette.Akasha Market is one of the few convenience stores near the University that sells Drank.Sam Akasha, employee of the family-run business, says a lot of University students come in to purchase the beverage.”It works for them — after exams or after work. It helps them relax,” Akasha said.Akasha was initially reluctant to carry Drank, but he eventually changed his mind because of increased demand.”Company salesmen came in the first time, and I didn’t know about [Drank]. A few days after that, a few customers came to me, and said that they had tried it somewhere else, and they said I should start selling it.”Consumers of Drank either seem to find it unappealing or as a useful relaxation aid.Jeff Chatterton, culinary graduate, is of the latter opinion.”It’s a good relaxed feeling. It’s mostly natural stuff. Melatonin helps you sleep and have lucid dreams, which I’m all about. I have sleep problems, and it helps take the edge off,” Chatterton said.But Andrew Vogel, psychology junior, wasn’t terribly impressed with his first Drank.”It tasted good. I didn’t really feel anything spectacular that made me want to buy it again,” he said. “I felt a little chill, but it wasn’t enough to pay three bucks,”Despite its sedative qualities and the lack of information regarding the effects of continuous melatonin and valerian root usage, Chatterton and Vogel don’t seem to be worried about any health problems.”I smoke,” Chatterton joked. “I eat foods that I probably shouldn’t. I’m more of a ‘live life’ type of person,” he said.Vogel was equally untroubled but admitted there could be possible health repercussions.”I’m not worried about it, because I like to try random stuff, but I can see why some people might think that it’s harmful,” Vogel said.       – – – -Contact Blake LeJeune at [email protected]