A new drink being sold at gas stations and smoothie bars has raised serious concerns from both health and spiritual perspectives. Marketed as a “plant-based joy” beverage in a small blue bottle called Feel Free, the product has been linked to addiction, severe withdrawal symptoms, and troubling encounters with teens seeking it. While it appears alongside energy shots and gum, critics warn that its effects are far more dangerous.
Pastor Kap Chatfield recently addressed the issue after investigating claims surrounding the drink. “There’s a drink being sold at gas stations and smoothie bars right now that’s being marketed as plant-based joy. It’s an energy drink that is shaped like this in the small little blue bottle. It says Feel Free. But what’s inside may be opening a door that no parent or just any person, any adult should ignore,” he said.
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Chatfield recounted testimony from individuals who encountered its effects firsthand. One man described losing friends and hurting his family before coming to the realization of just how dangerous the drink was. Another user explained the devastation of addiction, saying, “I’ve lost friends, jobs, everything because of these drinks. If you see them, turn the other way. It’s not worth it.”
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Research shows the drink’s active ingredients are two powerful plants, kava and kratom. Chatfield explained, “These alkaloids hit the same brain receptors opiates do. The FDA flat out warns about the risk liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder. People report real withdraw symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, insomnia, restless legs when they stop.”
But beyond the health risks, Chatfield connected the issue to a spiritual dimension. He cited an engraving reportedly seen at the FDA headquarters that read: “The devil has got hold of the food supply of this country.” Pointing to Scripture, he said, “The Bible says that the thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. And Jesus says, ‘I have come that they may have life and they may have it more abundantly.’”
For Chatfield, the widespread marketing of products like this is part of a larger spiritual battle. “God’s will for you is not that you’d be bound into addiction. Not that you’d be bound in needing these certain substances or these certain foods or whatever that are ultimately created to hurt you, to keep you enslaved, to keep you in bondage, to keep you addicted. That’s the plan of the devil. God wants to set you free,” he said.
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While Feel Free is marketed as natural and healthy, testimonies and warnings suggest it can enslave rather than uplift. As Chatfield reminded, “Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and he came to heal the sick.”
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
