insomnia

Energy drinks: Side effects and Impact on other substances

By R. Ryan S Patel DO, FAPA, OSU-CCS Psychiatrist

Many young adults consume energy drinks for many perceived benefits.

A previous post discussed energy drinks worsening attention (1). This could negatively impact academic performance.

Energy drink users are at risk of:

  • Increased energy drink related emergency department visits (2)
  • 4 times more likely than non-energy drink users to binge drink at higher intensity vs those who do not mix energy drinks and alcohol (2)
  • More likely than drinkers who do not mix alcohol with energy drinks to report unwanted or unprotected sex, driving drunk or riding with a driver who was intoxicated, or sustaining alcohol-related injuries (2)

What’s in energy drinks?

Most energy drinks contain caffeine, and other supplements such as sugar, other stimulants such as taurine, vitamins, etc (3).

What are some side effects of energy drinks?

While energy drinks may benefit exercise and sport performance, various side effects are also possible, such as (3):

  • Cardiovascular side effects: Increased heart rate, blood pressure, arrythmia, and heart disease, including heart attacks (3).
  • Mental health side effects: anxiety, insomnia, hallucinations, violent behaviors; often with doses of 300mg or more (3)
  • Many people have side effects on much lower doses, especially when stressed.
  • Other side effects are also possible (3).

A recent study (4) of 3,071 youth aged 9 to 17 surveyed their energy drink use, alcohol, tobacco use at baseline and 12 months later.

What were the results?

After 1 year, among energy drink users, when compared to non-energy drink users (4):

  • 29% started using tobacco vs 5.6% of non-energy drink users (4).
  • 30% started using alcohol vs 10% of non-energy drink users. (4).
  • Energy drink users also reported more school stress than non-energy drink users (4).

What are some caveats?

  • This is an association study and does not tell us about cause and effect.
  • Many energy drinks contain both caffeine and sugar; and some contain other additives that may have other side effects.
  • Some people are more sensitive to the effects and side effects of caffeine, and energy drinks than others, even in lower amounts.
  • further studies are needed.

Disclaimer: This article is intended to be informative only. It is advised that you check with your own physician/mental health provider before implementing any changes. With this article, the author is not rendering medical advice, nor diagnosing, prescribing, or treating any condition, or injury; and therefore claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or injury caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented.
References:

  1. https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/2015/03/10/do-energy-drinks-help-or-hurt-your-attention/
  2. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/energy-drinks
  3. Alsunni A. A. (2015). Energy Drink Consumption: Beneficial and Adverse Health Effects. International journal of health sciences, 9(4), 468–474.
  4. Galimov, A., Hanewinkel, R., Hansen, J., Unger, J. B., Sussman, S., & Morgenstern, M. (2020). Association of energy drink consumption with substance-use initiation among adolescents: A 12-month longitudinal study. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 34(2), 221–228. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881119895545

Smartphone use before bedtime might impact sleep, and daytime tiredness

Smartphone or cellphones are a useful tool and when used properly can have many benefits.
Many students frequently use cell-phones and often very close to bedtime. Students may not know that cellphone use might impact their ability to sleep at night and this might impact their daytime energy levels.
This study explored the relationship between cellphone use at bedtime and sleep.

Who was studied?
532 students aged 18–39 were recruited from lectures or via e-mail (1).
Mean time of media use per night was 46.6 minutes.

What were the study results?
Mobile phone usage for playing/surfing/texting was positively associated with insomnia.
Computer usage for playing/surfing/reading was positively associated with insomnia.

What do the results mean?
Computer or cellphone use in bed before bedtime may worsen your sleep.

How does screen time impact sleep?
There are various potential causes:
Media use might make it take longer to fall asleep (2).
Media use might mean less time spent sleeping, thus reducing sleep (3).
Bright light emitted by electronic devices might impact sleep quality (4).

Light exposure might be temporarily activating you (5-6).

Are you sleeping poorly? Are you tired during the day? Is screen time before bed impacting your sleep? Will cutting down on screen time improve your sleep? How do you know?

By R. Ryan S Patel DO, FAPA, OSU-CCS Psychiatrist
Disclaimer: This article is intended to be informative only. It is advised that you check with your own physician/mental health provider before implementing any changes. With this article, the author is not rendering medical advice, nor diagnosing, prescribing, or treating any condition, or injury; and therefore claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or injury caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented.

References
1. Fossum IN, et al. The Association Between Use of Electronic Media in Bed Before Going to Sleep and Insomnia Symptoms, Daytime Sleepiness, Morningness, and Chronotype. Behavioral Sleep Medicine. Volume 12, Issue 5, 2014, pages 343- 357. Published online: 14 Jul 2014. DOI: 10.1080/15402002.2013.819468.

2. Higuchi, S., Motohashi, Y., Liu, Y., & Maeda, A. (2005). Effects of playing a computer game using a bright display on presleep physiological variables, sleep latency, slow wave sleep and REM sleep. Journal of Sleep Research, 14, 267–273.
3. Van den Bulck, J. (2004). Television viewing, computer game playing, and Internet use and self-reported time to bed and time out of bed in secondary-school children. Sleep, 27, 101–104.
4. Cain, N., & Gradisar, M. (2010). Electronic media use and sleep in school-aged children and adolescents: A review. Sleep Medicine, 11, 735–742.
5. Cajochen, C., et al. (2011). Evening exposure to a light-emitting diodes (LED)-backlit computer screen affects circadian physiology and cognitive performance. Journal of Applied Physiology, 110, 1432–1438.
6. Campbell, S. S., et al. (1995). Light treatment for sleep disorders: Consensus report. III. Alerting and activating effects. Journal of Biological Rhythms, 10, 129–132.