Energy Drink Use in Adolescents: Perspectives in Risky Use and Addiction

Global consumption of energy drinks has prompted significant concerns regarding its associated risks. Adolescence marked by heightened consumption of these beverages coincides with a crucial period of brain development, raising apprehensions about the adverse impact of psychostimulants such as caffeine on this process. Moreover, emerging evidence underscores the link between energy drink use and mental health issues, compounded by heightened risk when combined with alcohol. This review adopts an addiction psychiatry lens to scrutinize the prevalence and implications of high-caffeine energy drink consumption among adolescents, offering insights into clinical practice responses.