A new study shows that people who combine alcohol with energy drink will have a higher tendency to engage in drunk driving compared to those who only consume alcohol.
355 college students were surveyed by the researchers in the new study. 281 of them stated that they had consumed alcohol during the last month. 107 out of 281 stated that they drink energy drinks and alcohol together.
For those who drink both energy drinks and alcohol – or the so-called "combined users" – 57% admitted that they drive even if they know they are drunk. 44% of those who only drink alcohol admitted that they drive even they are drunk.
Conrad L. Woolsey, an author of the study from University of Western States, Portland, Oregon said that, "from a physiological standpoint, the energy drinks consumption does change the brain chemistry to make you more confident."
53% of combined users said that they drove even if the alcohol levels in their body exceeded the legal limit - 0.08 - while 38% of alcohol only drinkers do the same.
Furthermore, 56% of combined users stated that they tried to be a passenger of a car which the driver was too drunk to drive carefully, against 35% of alcohol-only drinkers who stated the same.
Woolsey said, in general, anyone who combines alcohol with energy drinks may be a higher risk-taker.
According to him, "it's a common knowledge that alcohol raises the release of serotonin and dopamine that reduce inhibitions and provides good feeling. Alcohol also makes an individual feel more tired and less capable."
"The common ingredient of energy drink is taurine. Taurine, if combine with alcohol, will make people drunk faster" Woolsey said. "Taurine can subside the heartbeat of the user. Taurine control tremors, thus used for patient that has Parkinson's disease."
"In a way, energy drinks are already a mixture of stimulants and anti-anxiety type agents," he added.