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Mixing Energy Drinks And Alcohol: Negative Effects

When most people drink, they typically have alcohol. But what about mixing energy drinks with alcohol? Well, Mixing energy drinks and alcohol can be dangerous because of the high levels of caffeine in energy drinks.

Mixing excess amounts of caffeine and alcohol can be dangerous. Health-conscious individuals should be wary of the combination as it can result in addiction and other health problems. Excess amounts of caffeine stimulate the central nervous system, increasing heart rate and blood pressure. When alcohol is consumed, it slows down the central nervous system.

Mixing the two substances can cancel out the effects of each other, which could result in drug addicts consuming more of each substance to feel the desired effect. In addition, combining energy drinks can result in dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. Electrolyte imbalance can cause irregular heartbeat, seizures, and confusion. Health-conscious individuals should avoid mixing excess amounts of caffeine and alcohol to prevent these health problems.

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What Happens When You Mix Alcohol And Caffeine ?

Mixing caffeine and alcohol can have some pretty dangerous consequences. For one, it can seriously dehydrate you. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it makes you need to urinate more frequently. This can lead to dehydration, which can cause headaches, fatigue, and even dizziness. Knowing the amount of caffeine in your drink and its impact on your health is essential.

Caffeine Overdose When Binge Drinking

An 8 oz can of Red Bull has 80 mg of caffeine, while a 16 oz of Monster Energy has 160 mg. That’s a lot of caffeine and can lead to serious health problems. Only consume caffeine if you’re looking for an energy boost, and be sure to check the label to know exactly how much you’re taking in.

A typical energy drink has up to 80 milligrams of caffeine per serving, whereas a cup of coffee contains only 95 milligrams. That’s nearly the same amount of caffeine in four cups of coffee!

The FDA recommends that healthy adults consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine daily. Consuming more can lead to side effects like anxiety, insomnia, and heart palpitations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 31 percent of 12-to-17-year-olds and 34 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds regularly consume energy drinks.

Even worse, energy drinks are often guzzled by already sleep-deprived people when they are drinking alcohol. More alcohol and caffeinated beverages can cause your heart rate to increase and your blood pressure to drop.

This can lead to an irregular heartbeat, which may be especially dangerous for people with underlying heart conditions. Additionally, these caffeinated alcoholic beverages are often more potent than traditional beer, containing anywhere from 5-to-12 percent alcohol content.

Heart Issues When Mixing Alcohol And Caffeine

Many people are unaware of the potential health risks of mixing alcohol and caffeine. Although it is relatively safe to consume moderate amounts of both substances separately, the combination can have a potent effect on the heart.

Caffeine is a stimulant that can speed up the heart rate and constrict blood vessels, while drinking alcohol is a depressant that can slow down the heart rate and cause blood vessels to dilate. This is a similar effect to that of cocaine and aclohol which happens when most stimulants are mixed with depressants.

When these two substances are combined, they can cause an irregular heart rhythm, which can be dangerous for people with underlying heart conditions. In addition, the combination can increase blood pressure and lead to dehydration. For these reasons, it is important to know the potential risks before mixing alcohol and caffeine.

Health-conscious individuals should limit their intake of both substances, and those with a history of drug addiction should avoid them altogether. Additionally, Drinkers between the ages of 15 and 23 who combine alcohol and energy drinks are four times more likely to binge drink at a high intensity than those who don’t mix alcohol and energy drinks. Caffeine has no effect on the metabolism of alcohol by the liver and thus does not reduce breath or blood alcohol concentrations.

Risks Of Alcohol Abuse And Energy Drinkings

The risk of alcohol abuse is one of the most serious concerns. Energy drinks often contain high levels of caffeine, leading to increased alcohol consumption. This can result in health problems such as liver damage and heart disease. Energy drinks can also be addictive, particularly for people already struggling with addiction issues.

Many young people become addicted to drugs because they seek a way to escape their problems. This can lead to heart and liver disease. In extreme cases, it can even lead to death. If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, there are ways to get help. Magnified Health Systems offers treatment and support for those struggling with addiction. We can help you get your life back on track, there’s no reason to wait for a new tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions: Alcoholic Energy Drinks

How much caffeine is too much?

The FDA recommends that healthy adults consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine daily. Consuming more can lead to side effects like anxiety, insomnia, and heart palpitations.

What are the consequences of mixing alcohol and energy drinks?

The FDA recommends that healthy adults consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine daily. Consuming more can lead to side effects like anxiety, insomnia, and heart palpitations.

What are the dangers of mixing energy drinks and alcohol?

The FDA recommends that healthy adults consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine daily. Consuming more can lead to side effects like anxiety, insomnia, and heart palpitations.

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CDC. (2022, December 7). Dangers of mixing alcohol with caffeine and Energy Drinks. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 22, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/caffeine-and-alcohol.htm

Pennay, A., Lubman, D. I., & Miller, P. (2011). Combining Energy Drinks and Alcohol: A Recipe for Trouble? Australian Family Physician, 40(3), 104–107.

McKetin, R., Coen, A., & Kaye, S. (2015). A comprehensive review of the effects of mixing caffeinated energy drinks with alcohol. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 151, 15–30.

 

Medical Advice Disclaimer

Magnified Health Systems aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.

Picture of This content is verified and moderated by Dr. Brendan Bickley

This content is verified and moderated by Dr. Brendan Bickley

Dr. Bickley graduated from U.C. Irvine with honors: Phi Beta Kappa, Golden Key International Honor Society, Cum Laude. He has been featured on national radio and print media. He is also a frequent lecturer at National Conferences. He holds an A.S. degree in Drug & Alcohol Studies, and two B.A. degrees in Criminology & Psychology, and masters and doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. He is a licensed California Drug & Alcohol Counselor Level II, a licensed Clinical Supervisor and is certified in treating Eating Disorders.

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