Redbull, Monster, Celsius, and Ghost are just a few examples of the many different brands of energy drinks in stores today. Like other products, these energy drinks come in flavors that attract customers under the age of 18. 

As you walk around the building here at Panther Creek High School, you will most likely see one or more students walk past you with an energy drink in their hand. Some students drink caffeine-loaded beverages because of their dependence on caffeine and others drink them solely because they enjoy the flavor of them. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into how many students use energy drinks and their reasons for consuming them.

Ayana Maitra, a student at Panther Creek, talked to us about her use of energy drinks. Maitra told us that she drinks about four energy drinks a day. She prefers the Celsius brand over others because she enjoys the flavors that they provide. Maitra said, “The drinks definitely make me feel more awake…they help me stay focused”. 

Another Panther Creek student, Kelsey Smith, says her favorite energy drink is the Fiesta Mango Monster. When she was asked how often she has an energy drink, she said “Maybe once every one or two weeks”.

Obviously students have different preferences when it comes to which energy drink they choose and how often they drink it, but some health professionals warn that consuming too many energy drinks could lead to a dark path in the future.

Some people who have a caffeine addiction find themselves depending on it to function on a day-to-day basis. Similar to users of different controlled substances, people who find themselves “addicted” to caffeine see it as a reward. A study performed by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas found many cognitive similarities between Caffeine and Cocaine.

James Bibb, an assistant professor of Psychiatry at the UT Southwestern Medical Center said “Most people would never consider that the effects of their morning coffee would have any similarities to those of cocaine. However, recent research shows that the two stimulants similarly alter a specific signaling activity in the brain”. The medical center then conducted a procedure using mice, which showed that caffeine often results in detrimental addiction patterns. Bibb said these results show shocking similarities to his previous studies that explored the same biochemical pathways activated by cocaine.

Although caffeine is not on the same level as cocaine, nor is it a controlled substance, there are shocking similarities between the two if used daily. Many schools across the United States are seeing a rise in students who drink energy drinks every day. According to these recent studies, many students may be going through the beginning stages of an addiction that may be very tough to overcome in the future. Energy drinks may be tasty and help PC students stay awake, but make sure to keep these facts in mind the next time you pick up a Celsius can.