The Caffeine Trap
by Yasmin Sheikh ‘27
As many high school students encounter countless school nights with less than 6 hours of sleep, energy drinks become tempting. Whether someone needs to stay up late to finish a project or get through a full day of school, an energy drink can make it easier. So what’s the big deal? Alani Energy drinks and Celsius Energy drinks have 200mg of caffeine, which is double the recommended daily maximum for teens. Daily consumption of energy drinks can pose serious risks to teens including seizures, tremors, heart rhythm issues, and many more health issues.
Other effects of daily consumption are irritability, anxiety, and sleep disruption. Having an energy drink a day can even hinder concentration and cognitive ability. Similarly to any other drug, regular consumption can cause tolerance and dependence. For individuals who constantly consume energy drinks, they may need to drink more than their normal intake to feel the same positive effects of increased energy and alertness. Not only this, but dependence on caffeine can lead to withdrawal symptoms like headaches and fatigue. Although caffeinated drinks like Celsius or Alani’s can boost energy temporarily, it is important for teens to monitor their caffeine intake to limit their risk of health problems.