As the school year progresses and students continue to balance their busy schedules, many are facing exhaustion. To combat daily fatigue, lots of teens seek energy from outside sources such as energy drinks and other highly caffeinated beverages. 

For many students, balancing schoolwork, extracurricular activities, jobs and social lives can leave little time for rest. Energy drinks are often considered to be a quick boost that help keep you awake and alert during long school days or late night study sessions. These drinks contain large amounts of caffeine, along with sugar and other stimulants designed to increase alertness and focus.

One student, freshman Michael Wallace, opts for an energy drink only on days that are especially busy for him.

“I usually only have an energy drink if I haven’t slept a lot the night before or if I have a lot to do that day,” said Wallace. “I don’t want to get in the habit of having one everyday, because then I could start relying on them just to get through the day.” 

A study by PubMed explains that consuming energy drinks can have temporary positive effects on the consumer, like increased concentration and academic performance. However, the long term effects generally outweigh these initial benefits. Consistent consumption of highly caffeinated drinks can cause chronic insomnia, cardiovascular problems and a dependence on caffeine. 

Caffeine dependency can lead to withdrawal symptoms like headaches and depressed moods. Additionally, excessive caffeine consumption can heighten the symptoms of existing mental health issues like anxiety, depression, panic attacks and severe stress. 

“I know they are bad for my health, so I try to limit the amount of caffeine I have per day, especially because I already consume other things that have caffeine, like soda,” said Wallace.

Both energy drinks and various other beverages including some sodas contain caffeine along with other harmful additives. However, energy drinks are generally considered worse for overall health, especially for young students. This is because energy drinks have significantly high amounts of caffeine, often reaching above 200mg. In comparison, a typical 12oz can of soda contains between 30-55mg of caffeine. 

However, regardless of the health concerns, some students look past the risks and opt for energy drinks almost every day. 

“I really look forward to having an Alani every morning. It makes me feel so happy,” said sophomore Tia Molitor.

The accessibility of these beverages is another common concern when it comes to teenage consumption. Some of the most popular energy drink brands include Redbull, Alani, Monster and many others. They are widely available in convenience stores and grocery stores, and are often marketed with bright, appealing packaging designed to catch the attention of young shoppers, encouraging them to purchase them.

“Whenever a new Alani flavor comes out I’m always really excited to try it,” said Molitor. “The packaging is so cute that I can’t wait to see what the taste is.”

Another article by PubMed studied the correlation between sports and energy drink advertising. Big energy drink brands such as RedBull and Celsius heavily advertise through sport partnerships. These ads aim to give consumers the idea that energy drinks are healthy by correlating them with exercise.  

Despite the risks, many students continue to use energy drinks as part of their daily routine. As academic pressure increases throughout the school year, the question remains whether energy drinks are a helpful tool for students or a habit that could potentially cause more problems in the long term.