The New Cocaine: Energy Drinks at an All-Time High

As someone who works with undergraduates every day, nothing surprises me anymore. At least that's what I thought. Throughout the semester students partake in the usual vices such as alcohol and some of the milder drugs like marijuana. But never before have energy drinks been at an all-time high and we're not talking Red Bull. According to the Associated Press, more than 500 new energy drinks launched worldwide this year.

My students actually decided to have a taste test in order to compare some of the newer energy drinks on the market. I didn't realize there were so many out there and that some weren't legal in every state.

My education started with a drink called "Cocaine" initially only legal in New York and California that went on the market in September. Bought on ebay, four cans for $12, my students couldn't get over the name which coincidentally was on track to be trademarked until Ohio law students intervened. Since purchasing their initial samples "Cocaine" is now available online through the manufacturer. Redux Beverages says their product has the highest energy content out of all the drinks on the market and that it has 350% more caffeine than Red Bull. The 8.4 fluid ounce energy booster has no actual cocaine in it, but it does contain 280 milligrams of caffeine. According to the company's web site, the only way to get more caffeine per ounce is with an espresso. Needless to say I was worried about my students downing the drink and I'm not alone.

Some countries like Australia are banning it due to the high caffeine content. While nutritionists warn that the drinks, laden with caffeine and sugar, can hook kids on an unhealthy jolt-and-crash cycle. Also, drinks with mega doses of B vitamins like "Cocaine" can cause rapid heartbeat, and numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. No evidence has been found that sudden deaths were caused by people drinking the energy drinks. But a Swedish government study recommended that energy drinks not be used to quench thirst or replenish liquid when exercising since they actually cause dehydration.

Another warning, they should not be mixed with alcohol which is often the case. In October, a new study found a surprising number of caffeine overdose reports to a Chicago poison control center. These involved young people taking alertness pills such as NoDoz or energy drinks, sometimes mixed with alcohol or other drugs. During three years of reports to the center, the researchers found 265 cases of caffeine abuse. Twelve per cent of those required a trip to the hospital. The average age of the caffeine user was 21.

The second drink sampled is called "Bawls." "Bawls Guarana" has 80mg of caffeine per 12 oz drink which is a lot less than "Cocaine." While this drink tasted a whole lot better, described as a sweeter Sprite, the punch wasn't as powerful and didn't last as long. There isn't as much negative publicity surrounding the drink which was created in 1997 perhaps only because the name isn't as controversial. It also could be because it has the same amount of caffeine as the widely accepted Red Bull which happens to have slightly less caffeine than an espresso.

After the first two were downed one right after another I put an end to the taste test, but continued my own research. I found multiple drinks with questionable names like "Liquid Blow" and even more questionable ingredients like large doses of caffeine, B vitamins and other enzymes. I even found one website where you could pick an energy drink from a list and type in your weight to find out how many cans of a particular drink it would take to kill you. While I'm no expert something just doesn't seem right about this.