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Most adults I know drink caffeine. I’ve been told I’m a much more sunshiny person after my morning iced coffee, although I might argue I’m always a delight. (Don’t try to fact check this.) However, in recent years, the availability and consumption of energy drinks containing high amounts of caffeine and sugar has become a bit concerning, to say the least. Even more concerning is the fact that our teens and young adults are partaking in this consumption at alarming rates.
The National Institutes of Health reports that 30-50 percent of teens and 60 percent of Millennials and Gen Z consume energy drinks regularly. Approximately two-thirds of energy drink consumers are aged 13-35, and energy drinks are the second most common dietary supplement used among young people. For reference, a cup of coffee contains about 95mg of caffeine, a 12oz can of Dr Pepper contains 42mg of caffeine, and an energy drink contains anywhere from 100-300mg of caffeine.
Energy drinks are marketed to young people with promises of increased energy, focus, productivity, and enhanced physical and cognitive performance. Unfortunately, they often deliver something else: anxiety, irritability, stress, depression, sleepless nights, and possibly addiction. Most energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine along with other stimulants designed to keep your body revved up. While that burst of energy may feel great initially, your brain often pays the price later. High caffeine intake can affect the nervous system in ways that mimic symptoms of anxiety, including racing thoughts, restlessness, nervousness, and, in some cases, panic attacks. While caffeine does not cause mental health disorders, it can intensify existing symptoms and make it more difficult to distinguish between everyday stress, anxiety, and the effects of excessive stimulant use.
Sleep is also a major casualty of energy drinks. Many people underestimate how long caffeine stays in the body. An afternoon energy drink can still affect the brain at bedtime, making it harder to fall asleep and reducing sleep quality. Poor sleep is strongly linked to increased stress, mood swings, depression, and difficulty concentrating.
For parents, energy drink use can sometimes be easy to miss. A teenager grabbing a colorful can before school, sports practice, or a late-night study session may seem harmless, especially when energy drinks are marketed as performance enhancers rather than stimulants. However, parents should be aware that caffeine affects adolescents differently than adults. The teenage brain is still developing, and high levels of caffeine can amplify stress, anxiety, irritability, and sleep disruption during a stage of life that is already filled with emotional, social, and academic pressures.
Parents may want to pay attention to signs such as difficulty falling asleep, frequent fatigue despite adequate rest, headaches, increasing reliance on caffeine, or a noticeable increase in energy drink consumption over time. Rather than focusing solely on the behavior, it can be helpful to explore what is driving it. Is your teen trying to keep up with a demanding schedule? Struggling with stress? Feeling pressure to perform academically or athletically? In many cases, the energy drink may be less of a problem in itself and more of a signal that a young person needs additional support, balance, or rest.
Parents should be especially mindful if their teen is taking medication for ADHD. Many commonly prescribed ADHD medications are stimulants, and adding large amounts of caffeine can increase the likelihood of unwanted side effects. While families should always consult with their child's physician regarding specific medication guidance, combining stimulant medications with energy drinks may contribute to increased heart rate, appetite suppression, sleep difficulties, or feelings of being overstimulated.
For teenagers and young adults, the concerns extend beyond temporary energy boosts and crashes. Research has linked frequent energy drink consumption with higher rates of emotional distress, poor decision-making, and other risky behaviors. Over time, disrupted sleep, fluctuating energy levels, and dependence on stimulants can make it more difficult for young people to regulate emotions, manage stress, and maintain healthy routines.
Addiction is another concern. These drinks are packed with high amounts of caffeine and sugar, and regular consumption triggers the release of dopamine, creating both physical and psychological dependence. Much like other substances, users of energy drinks may experience:
• The need to increase consumption over time to achieve the desired effect
• Withdrawal symptoms when daily intake is skipped
• Compulsive use marked by an inability to cut back
• Anxiety, irritability, headaches, or fatigue when attempting to reduce consumption
The next time you're tempted to grab an energy drink, ask yourself whether your body really needs more stimulation, or simply more rest, hydration, exercise, or a healthy meal. Lasting energy doesn't come from a can; it comes from caring for both your body and your mind.
If you're a parent, this can be a valuable opportunity to talk with your teen about healthy ways to manage energy, stress, and performance. Encouraging consistent sleep habits, proper hydration, regular meals, physical activity, and realistic expectations around achievement can help address the underlying reasons many teens turn to energy drinks. While an occasional caffeinated beverage may not be cause for concern, regular reliance on energy drinks can be a signal that a young person needs support, not just another boost of caffeine.
After all, feeling energized is great. Feeling mentally healthy is even better!
Most adults I know drink caffeine. I’ve been told I’m a much more sunshiny person after my morning iced coffee, although I might argue I’m always a delight. (Don’t try to fact check this.) However, in recent years, the availability and consumption of energy drinks containing high amounts of caffeine and sugar has become a bit concerning, to say the least. Even more concerning is the fact that our teens and young adults are partaking in this consumption at alarming rates.
The National Institutes of Health reports that 30-50 percent of teens and 60 percent of Millennials and Gen Z consume energy drinks regularly. Approximately two-thirds of energy drink consumers are aged 13-35, and energy drinks are the second most common dietary supplement used among young people. For reference, a cup of coffee contains about 95mg of caffeine, a 12oz can of Dr Pepper contains 42mg of caffeine, and an energy drink contains anywhere from 100-300mg of caffeine.
Energy drinks are marketed to young people with promises of increased energy, focus, productivity, and enhanced physical and cognitive performance. Unfortunately, they often deliver something else: anxiety, irritability, stress, depression, sleepless nights, and possibly addiction. Most energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine along with other stimulants designed to keep your body revved up. While that burst of energy may feel great initially, your brain often pays the price later. High caffeine intake can affect the nervous system in ways that mimic symptoms of anxiety, including racing thoughts, restlessness, nervousness, and, in some cases, panic attacks. While caffeine does not cause mental health disorders, it can intensify existing symptoms and make it more difficult to distinguish between everyday stress, anxiety, and the effects of excessive stimulant use.
Sleep is also a major casualty of energy drinks. Many people underestimate how long caffeine stays in the body. An afternoon energy drink can still affect the brain at bedtime, making it harder to fall asleep and reducing sleep quality. Poor sleep is strongly linked to increased stress, mood swings, depression, and difficulty concentrating.
For parents, energy drink use can sometimes be easy to miss. A teenager grabbing a colorful can before school, sports practice, or a late-night study session may seem harmless, especially when energy drinks are marketed as performance enhancers rather than stimulants. However, parents should be aware that caffeine affects adolescents differently than adults. The teenage brain is still developing, and high levels of caffeine can amplify stress, anxiety, irritability, and sleep disruption during a stage of life that is already filled with emotional, social, and academic pressures.
Parents may want to pay attention to signs such as difficulty falling asleep, frequent fatigue despite adequate rest, headaches, increasing reliance on caffeine, or a noticeable increase in energy drink consumption over time. Rather than focusing solely on the behavior, it can be helpful to explore what is driving it. Is your teen trying to keep up with a demanding schedule? Struggling with stress? Feeling pressure to perform academically or athletically? In many cases, the energy drink may be less of a problem in itself and more of a signal that a young person needs additional support, balance, or rest.
Parents should be especially mindful if their teen is taking medication for ADHD. Many commonly prescribed ADHD medications are stimulants, and adding large amounts of caffeine can increase the likelihood of unwanted side effects. While families should always consult with their child's physician regarding specific medication guidance, combining stimulant medications with energy drinks may contribute to increased heart rate, appetite suppression, sleep difficulties, or feelings of being overstimulated.
For teenagers and young adults, the concerns extend beyond temporary energy boosts and crashes. Research has linked frequent energy drink consumption with higher rates of emotional distress, poor decision-making, and other risky behaviors. Over time, disrupted sleep, fluctuating energy levels, and dependence on stimulants can make it more difficult for young people to regulate emotions, manage stress, and maintain healthy routines.
Addiction is another concern. These drinks are packed with high amounts of caffeine and sugar, and regular consumption triggers the release of dopamine, creating both physical and psychological dependence. Much like other substances, users of energy drinks may experience:
• The need to increase consumption over time to achieve the desired effect
• Withdrawal symptoms when daily intake is skipped
• Compulsive use marked by an inability to cut back
• Anxiety, irritability, headaches, or fatigue when attempting to reduce consumption
The next time you're tempted to grab an energy drink, ask yourself whether your body really needs more stimulation, or simply more rest, hydration, exercise, or a healthy meal. Lasting energy doesn't come from a can; it comes from caring for both your body and your mind.
If you're a parent, this can be a valuable opportunity to talk with your teen about healthy ways to manage energy, stress, and performance. Encouraging consistent sleep habits, proper hydration, regular meals, physical activity, and realistic expectations around achievement can help address the underlying reasons many teens turn to energy drinks. While an occasional caffeinated beverage may not be cause for concern, regular reliance on energy drinks can be a signal that a young person needs support, not just another boost of caffeine.
After all, feeling energized is great. Feeling mentally healthy is even better!
Wired, Tired, and Anxious: The Mental Health Cost of Energy Drinks
Energy drinks may be fueling anxiety, disrupting sleep, and creating dependence in young adults.
Most adults I know drink caffeine. I’ve been told I’m a much more sunshiny person after my morning iced coffee, although I might argue I’m always a delight. (Don’t try to fact check this.) However, in recent years, the availability and consumption of energy drinks containing high amounts of caffeine and sugar has become a bit concerning, to say the least. Even more concerning is the fact that our teens and young adults are partaking in this consumption at alarming rates.
The National Institutes of Health reports that 30-50 percent of teens and 60 percent of Millennials and Gen Z consume energy drinks regularly. Approximately two-thirds of energy drink consumers are aged 13-35, and energy drinks are the second most common dietary supplement used among young people. For reference, a cup of coffee contains about 95mg of caffeine, a 12oz can of Dr Pepper contains 42mg of caffeine, and an energy drink contains anywhere from 100-300mg of caffeine.
Energy drinks are marketed to young people with promises of increased energy, focus, productivity, and enhanced physical and cognitive performance. Unfortunately, they often deliver something else: anxiety, irritability, stress, depression, sleepless nights, and possibly addiction. Most energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine along with other stimulants designed to keep your body revved up. While that burst of energy may feel great initially, your brain often pays the price later. High caffeine intake can affect the nervous system in ways that mimic symptoms of anxiety, including racing thoughts, restlessness, nervousness, and, in some cases, panic attacks. While caffeine does not cause mental health disorders, it can intensify existing symptoms and make it more difficult to distinguish between everyday stress, anxiety, and the effects of excessive stimulant use.
Sleep is also a major casualty of energy drinks. Many people underestimate how long caffeine stays in the body. An afternoon energy drink can still affect the brain at bedtime, making it harder to fall asleep and reducing sleep quality. Poor sleep is strongly linked to increased stress, mood swings, depression, and difficulty concentrating.
For parents, energy drink use can sometimes be easy to miss. A teenager grabbing a colorful can before school, sports practice, or a late-night study session may seem harmless, especially when energy drinks are marketed as performance enhancers rather than stimulants. However, parents should be aware that caffeine affects adolescents differently than adults. The teenage brain is still developing, and high levels of caffeine can amplify stress, anxiety, irritability, and sleep disruption during a stage of life that is already filled with emotional, social, and academic pressures.
Parents may want to pay attention to signs such as difficulty falling asleep, frequent fatigue despite adequate rest, headaches, increasing reliance on caffeine, or a noticeable increase in energy drink consumption over time. Rather than focusing solely on the behavior, it can be helpful to explore what is driving it. Is your teen trying to keep up with a demanding schedule? Struggling with stress? Feeling pressure to perform academically or athletically? In many cases, the energy drink may be less of a problem in itself and more of a signal that a young person needs additional support, balance, or rest.
Parents should be especially mindful if their teen is taking medication for ADHD. Many commonly prescribed ADHD medications are stimulants, and adding large amounts of caffeine can increase the likelihood of unwanted side effects. While families should always consult with their child's physician regarding specific medication guidance, combining stimulant medications with energy drinks may contribute to increased heart rate, appetite suppression, sleep difficulties, or feelings of being overstimulated.
For teenagers and young adults, the concerns extend beyond temporary energy boosts and crashes. Research has linked frequent energy drink consumption with higher rates of emotional distress, poor decision-making, and other risky behaviors. Over time, disrupted sleep, fluctuating energy levels, and dependence on stimulants can make it more difficult for young people to regulate emotions, manage stress, and maintain healthy routines.
Addiction is another concern. These drinks are packed with high amounts of caffeine and sugar, and regular consumption triggers the release of dopamine, creating both physical and psychological dependence. Much like other substances, users of energy drinks may experience:
• The need to increase consumption over time to achieve the desired effect
• Withdrawal symptoms when daily intake is skipped
• Compulsive use marked by an inability to cut back
• Anxiety, irritability, headaches, or fatigue when attempting to reduce consumption
The next time you're tempted to grab an energy drink, ask yourself whether your body really needs more stimulation, or simply more rest, hydration, exercise, or a healthy meal. Lasting energy doesn't come from a can; it comes from caring for both your body and your mind.
If you're a parent, this can be a valuable opportunity to talk with your teen about healthy ways to manage energy, stress, and performance. Encouraging consistent sleep habits, proper hydration, regular meals, physical activity, and realistic expectations around achievement can help address the underlying reasons many teens turn to energy drinks. While an occasional caffeinated beverage may not be cause for concern, regular reliance on energy drinks can be a signal that a young person needs support, not just another boost of caffeine.
After all, feeling energized is great. Feeling mentally healthy is even better!
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