Can You Get Addicted to Energy Drinks?
Energy drinks are beverages containing ingredients purported to boost energy levels, such as caffeine. The safety of these products depends largely on their individual ingredients and the amount in which they're consumed. Energy drinks that contain caffeine may lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms when drunk regularly. Learning about the different ingredients in energy drinks allows you to make an informed choice about using the products.
Ingredients
Energy drinks usually contain a combination of caffeine and other ingredients like herbs or vitamins. Common ingredients include B vitamins, taurine, ginseng and carnitine. Guarana — an herb that contains large amounts of caffeine — may be added to energy drinks in addition to synthetic caffeine. According to the University of California Davis, some energy drinks contain several servings per can, resulting in total caffeine doses as high as 294 milligrams 1. Many of these products also contain large amounts of sugar, corn syrup or artificial sweeteners.
- Energy drinks usually contain a combination of caffeine and other ingredients like herbs or vitamins.
Side Effects
Caffeine Withdrawal & Nausea
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While safe in small doses, the ingredients in some energy drinks can cause side effects in large amounts. Caffeine can cause nervousness, insomnia, nausea, increased urination and other unpleasant effects. The herb yohimbe, which is found in some energy drinks, contains yohimbine — a prescription medication that can cause dangerously low blood pressure. Other side effects that may be associated with energy drinks include heart arrhythmia, irritability and decreased bone density levels. Unpleasant caffeine-related side effects may be more likely to occur when combining energy drinks with medications, foods or supplements that contain caffeine. The University of California Davis states that pregnant women, kids and adolescents should avoid energy drinks altogether 1.
- While safe in small doses, the ingredients in some energy drinks can cause side effects in large amounts.
- Other side effects that may be associated with energy drinks include heart arrhythmia, irritability and decreased bone density levels.
Dependence and Withdrawal
Most people who drink energy drinks do not develop dependence, but drinks that contain large amounts of caffeine can make your body build up tolerance and mild physical dependence when drunk frequently. In addition, attempting to stop drinking caffeinated beverages after prolonged use may lead to withdrawal symptoms that prevent you from quitting. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, caffeine withdrawal is a medically recognized condition associated with symptoms like headache, drowsiness and irritability 2. In severe instances, it can even cause flu-like symptoms such as vomiting or muscle pain.
- Most people who drink energy drinks do not develop dependence, but drinks that contain large amounts of caffeine can make your body build up tolerance and mild physical dependence when drunk frequently.
- In addition, attempting to stop drinking caffeinated beverages after prolonged use may lead to withdrawal symptoms that prevent you from quitting.
Prevention/Solution
Congestive Heart Failure & Caffeine
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Limiting your use of energy drinks to one serving per day can help prevent addiction and other side effects. Consult your physician before using energy drinks if you have a medical condition like heart disease or diabetes. Read the label for serving sizes, caffeine content and other information. To prevent unwanted interactions, avoid combining energy drinks with other stimulants like caffeine or pseudoephedrine. If you find it difficult to stop using energy drinks, gradually reducing your caffeine intake over several weeks may make it easier by preventing severe withdrawal symptoms.
- Limiting your use of energy drinks to one serving per day can help prevent addiction and other side effects.
Related Articles
References
- University of California Davis: Nutrition and Info Sheet: Some Facts About Energy Drinks
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: Caffeine Withdrawal Recognized as a Disorder
- Higgins JP, Tuttle TD, Higgins CL. Energy Beverages: Content and Safety. Mayo Clin Proc. 2010;85(11):1033-1041. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0381
- Seifert SM, Schaechter JL, Hershorin ER, Lipshultz SE. Health Effects of Energy Drinks on Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults. Pediatrics. 2011;127(3):511-528. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-3592
- Terry-McElrath YM, OʼMalley PM, Johnston LD. Energy Drinks, Soft Drinks, and Substance Use Among United States Secondary School Students. J Addict Med. 2014;8(1):6-13. doi:10.1097/01.ADM.0000435322.07020.53
- Alsunni AA. Energy Drink Consumption: Beneficial and Adverse Health Effects. Int J Health Sci. 2015;9(4):468-474.
- Vo K, Neafsey PJ, Lin CA. Concurrent use of amphetamine stimulants and antidepressants by undergraduate students. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2015;9:161-172. doi:10.2147/PPA.S7460210.2147/PPA.S74602
- Bruckauf Z, Walsh SD. Adolescents' multiple and individual risk behaviors: examining the link with excessive sugar consumption across 26 industrialized countries. Soc Sci Med. 2018;216:133-141. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.08.029
- Benton D. The plausibility of sugar addiction and its role in obesity and eating disorders. Clin Nutr. 2010;29(3):288-303. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2009.12.001
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Writer Bio
Based in Las Vegas, Tracii Hanes is a freelance writer specializing in health and psychology with over seven years of professional experience. She got her start as a news reporter and has since focused exclusively on freelance writing, contributing to websites like Wellsphere, Education Portal and more. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication arts from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.