Drug Classification: Stimulant Drug Schedule: N/A
Modes of Administration: Oral (drink)
Addiction Potential: Unknown
Onset of Drug Effect(s):
Energy drinks are beverages like Red Bull, Venom, Rockstar and Adrenaline Rush which contain large doses of caffeine and other legal stimulants such as ephedrine, guarana and ginseng.
Individual responses to energy drinks may vary, and these drinks should be treated carefully because of the amounts of caffeine contained in many of them.
Drug Action(s):
Energy drinks’ stimulating properties can boost heart rate and blood pressure (sometimes to the point of palpitation), dehydrate the body, and prevent or interrupt sleep patterns.
Energy drinks should not be used while exercising as the combination of fluid loss and sweating and the diuretic quality of caffeine can severely dehydrate the body.
It is important to know what you are drinking. Energy drinks are not necessarily bad for you, but they should not be seen as “natural alternatives” to other substances. Many marketing strategies aimed at college students claim that these products improve concentration and performance, but these claims are unproven!
