A Monster of a buzz

Sean Wilson is not addicted to energy drinks. Nevermind that he feels he can't function properly without drinking one every day, or that at one point he couldn't start his day without popping one open before he got out of bed; the need for caffeine — no matter how extreme — is not officially classified as an addiction.

The current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) would label Wilson as being "substance dependant," meaning he shows a pattern of substance use that exhibits tolerance (a need for increased amounts of the substance to achieve its desired effect); withdrawal symptoms following a rapid decrease in dosage; a persistent desire and unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control use; and continued use despite his knowledge of the negative effects of the substance.

Caffeine is the world's most popular drug. It is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate bars and more. It is a stimulant that speeds up the nervous system; energizing the brain and making the consumer feel more aware and active. Caffeine consumption can cause anxiety, irritability, rapid breathing and heart rate, restlessness and lack of concentration.

Studies have shown the longterm effects of moderate caffeine consumption (up to four cups of coffee every day) are fairly minimal; however, the effects of heavy consumption can be very serious. Research has found links between heavy use of caffeine and osteoporosis, high blood pressure and heart disease, ulcers, severe insomnia, infertility and more. Caffeine can also cause major mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.

An energy drink like Monster packs about 10 milligrams of caffeine per ounce, meaning a 16 oz. can contains 160 mg caffeine. A typical cup of coffee contains just over 100 mg of caffeine.

Wilson, a recent grad from Fanshawe's concierge services guest relations specialist program, strolled into our interview clutching a giant can of Monster. I could smell the sickly sweet energy drink before Wilson came around the corner to my desk. He was zippy, chatty, bouncy and happy — all side effects of caffeine and high doses of sugar (54 grams in a 16 oz. can).

He described the effects of energy drinks as "Amazing! You just get energetic and happy and excited … If I go for a weekend and I don't drink them … I'll actually get depressed. I'll get tired and just be like … " his voice trailed off as he sighed.

Wilson wasn't always interested in energy drinks, though he admitted he has always had a dependence on caffeine. "It was always coffee first … you know what they say, it's a gateway drink," he joked.

He stayed away from energy drinks in high school, and said he thought of the drinks and their effects as "meth-like." During his final exam in high school, he was pulling an all-nighter with a friend who encouraged Wilson to drink an energy drink for a boost. "I drank it, and was like 'Oh my god! The colours are so much brighter!'" Wilson laughed as he remembered.

After this introduction, Wilson began drinking Monster, Red Bull and other energy drinks until they became a staple of his diet. "It would be part of my ritual for doing homework, but it was also a college thing … Staying up all night and being in college go hand in hand, so that's why I think a lot of people drink them."

Heather Thomas, a public health dietitian for the Middlesex- London Health Unit, noted "The target market (for energy drinks) is males aged 18 to 25 — exactly the college age." She said she believes many students have a "perceived sense of feeling addicted," but are not truly dependent on the drinks for energy.

While going to school, Wilson worked in the Oasis, where the drinks were readily available — but at $5 a pop, it's a pretty pricey habit. At one point, Wilson was drinking four cans per day, which would equal a $600 monthly expense.

It's not just the high caffeine and sugar amounts in these drinks that make them so unhealthy; it's the 200 calories, the 15 per cent of the recommended daily sodium intake and the various other "energy-enhancing" ingredients packed into every 16 oz. can.

The high doses of caffeine and sugar took a toll on Wilson's health, including his sleep patterns. "When I was really drinking them (heavily) … I would go to bed at 2 a.m. and wake up at 7 a.m., and that would be my sleep." On the weekends, he would sleep for 14 to 15 hours per night to try to catch up on the sleep he had lost during the week.

"If people are feeling that they need that caffeine boost, it's probably an indication that they aren't getting enough sleep," explained Thomas. It can lead to a vicious cycle of buying energy drinks to wake up, then not being able to sleep due to the drinks' caffeine content, leading the user to rely heavily on energy drinks to keep him or her going.

Wilson realized he had a problem during his four-can-per-day phase. "My day couldn't start unless I had one. I would have a case of them beside my bed, and just crack one open when I'd wake up." He knew it was time to give up the drinks.

According to Thomas, "If you lessen the amount you drink or try to cut them out cold turkey, you may experience headaches, tiredness and difficulty concentrating."

Wilson's attempts to quit energy drinks did not end well; he found he could not function at all without his daily shots of caffeine. "I tried to (quit) cold turkey ... but I just dropped."

Thomas acknowledged that cutting energy drinks out of one's diet can be a challenging task. She recommended slowly reducing your intake over a period of time, and keeping well hydrated to flush the chemicals out of your system.

Wilson has gradually cut the drinks out of his diet, and currently drinks one or less every day. He said he will probably never quit caffeine altogether, "But I really want to try to stop drinking these babies," he said, caressing the Monster can.