According To Research, Drinking Energy Drinks Affects Youth Mental Health And Young Adults

Illustration of research on drinking energy drinks that affect the mental health of adolescents and young adults (Freepic / Sukako)

YOGYAKARTA Drinking energy drinks seems to be popular lately, especially among adolescents and young adults. Research shows that drinking energy drinks is related to the mental health of teenagers who drink it. In a recent systematic review, researchers examined 57 studies of the impact of drinking energy drinks in children and adolescents until the age of 21. They observed data from January 2016 'July 2022.

Research published on January 15, 2025, shows that teenage boys consume more energy drinks than women. Researchers also found a relationship between consuming energy drinks with dangerous behavior. Such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and drug use. Additional impacts of consuming energy drinks on teenage boys and girls, include the following:

Please note, energy drinks contain caffeine in the amount that exceeds the daily recommended dose for adults. Consumption of energy drinks can affect the mental and physical health of young people, especially if consumed excessively.

Energy drink symbolizes in this case for young people, the act of looking for something outside of yourself to fill the void felt. Long-term consequences translate as shared dependency, said Anna Scott, a licensed therapist who specializes in the mental health of teenagers reported by Healthline, Wednesday, February 12.

Erika Chiappini, PhD, a child and adolescent psychologist at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center, says that energy drinks cause sleep disorders, which can affect the mood and cognitive function. This is because the high amount of caffeine and teens who drink it may experience greater sleep difficulties. The quality of sleep is also affected.

Poor quality sleep and inadequate sleep, associated with poor emotional control abilities. They find it difficult to pay attention to, experience anxiety, and a low mood. The effect is also on the social realm, they find it difficult to make friends, especially at home.

"Meanwhile, high-achieving people use energy drinks to overcome their fatigue because they work too much brain to be good enough to be recognized by parents, teachers, or prospective middle school programs," Scott said.

Scott recommends, one way to stop drinking energy drinks is to teach children about how to manage their emotions. They also need to learn greater self-awareness at a younger age.

Some things to watch out for, namely the symptoms experienced when drinking too much energy drink. Among them are dehydration, irregular heartbeats, nervousness and anxiety, and insomnia.