Who hasn’t reached for an energy drink to power through a long study session or to stretch out an epic party night a little longer? Energy drinks are everywhere, promising not only more energy but also improved performance and endurance. But, as with many things in life, there’s a flip side to the coin.
Energy Drinks: What's Actually Inside?
Before diving into the side effects, let’s take a look at what’s inside those cool-looking cans. The main ingredients are caffeine, taurine, sugar, and a variety of other stimulants. We all know caffeine from coffee and tea, taurine is an amino acid said to boost performance, and the sugar—well, it adds sweetness and a quick energy kick.
Anxiety from Energy Drinks: When the Boost Backfires
Some may have experienced it firsthand: after the third energy drink of the day, you don’t just feel awake; you also feel nervous and tense. This happens because high amounts of caffeine can overstimulate the central nervous system. Studies have shown that excessive energy drink consumption can lead to anxiety: suddenly, your heart starts racing, your hands shake, and you constantly feel as if something terrible is about to happen. Not exactly the energy boost you were hoping for.
Perceptual disturbances from energy drinks: suddenly you’re outside yourself
In addition to anxiety, some consumers report experiencing perceptual disturbances. This can range from mild hallucinations to a sensation that reality doesn’t feel quite real anymore—almost as if you’re outside yourself, observing from a distance. It’s especially concerning when these disturbances happen in everyday situations—while driving, at school, or at work. The cause lies once again with caffeine, which, in extreme doses, can affect brain activity. Particularly when combined with other stimulants and sugar, these unwanted side effects can occur.
Other Side Effects of Energy Drinks
- Nervousness
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Sweating
- High blood pressure
- Heart palpitations
- Arrhythmia
- Circulatory collapse
Severe Side Effects After Energy Drink—What to Do?
If you experience any of the above side effects after consuming energy drinks, we recommend the following immediate actions:
- Pause: Stay away from any more energy drinks! Your body needs time to calm down, which can only happen if it isn’t being stimulated again by more energy drinks.
- Drink Water: Drinking plenty of water helps flush the caffeine from your body.
- Move Around: A long walk in the fresh air can work wonders and help to break down the unwanted substances in your blood.
- Sleep: Sometimes, getting enough sleep is the best way to restore balance. If you’re too wired to sleep, try some strength training first. The exercise speeds up your metabolism, reducing the side effects of energy drinks. After a solid workout, sleep usually comes more easily.
Conclusion: An Occasional Energy Drink is Fine
Energy drinks can be a convenient energy boost, but, as with many things in life, it’s the dose that makes the poison. One drink here and there is fine, but more can harm your health in the long run. This is especially true if you’ve struggled with an anxiety disorder or panic attacks in the past or are currently dealing with them. In this case, we recommend a unique form of online therapy that you can easily do from home, which has already helped over 16,000 people overcome anxiety and panic for good. The best part is that this self-therapy works without psychotropic drugs or painful exposure therapy, often used in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Troy A.
Tampa, Florida