• Science

    Energy Drinks May Promote Risky Behavior

    By Posted on 5.29.2008 12 Comments

    Energy drinks like Monster, Full Throttle, Red Bull and others account for more than $3 billion in annual sales in the U.S., and roughly one-third of people between the ages of twelve and 24 say they suck them down on a regular basis. The beverages have been linked to a number of negative health effects, but now an addiction researcher at the University of Buffalo has published a report demonstrating that excessive consumption is also correlated to risky behavior such as unprotected sex, substance abuse and violence.

    6.1.2008 at 11:52am - Comment by SciPanther

    Another blaming finger pointed at a product instead of the user. The people who had the unprotected sex made the bad decisions , Period. And I love the way they worded it so it sounds like "These drinks cause this" and your thinking "OH NO" as they slip in "Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean that the drinks cause the behaviors" in the Next paragraph. Reread the thing and watch psychology at work. Prove to me that energy drinks cause substantial change in the way the brain functions such as in "Mind Altering Drugs" and then we can look at facts. All I see is Energy Drinks making it easier to do execute bad decisions by providing more energy for the physical part. Wait what was the key to that? Bad Decisions. ALSO, if you read that article again it says "excessive consumption is also correlated to risky behavior such as unprotected sex, substance abuse and violence." "Excessive Consumption" sounds a lot like "Substance Abuse" to me. Also alcohol is known to help people make bad decisions. All this boils down to people do bad things when they make bad decisions. Blame yourself, can't do that? Blame your Parents. Energy Drinks are a tool like any other (herbs, guns, medications, computers, cars, etc.), used properly they can be beneficial but are usable And Abusable. When it comes to things you can put in your body, the difference between medicine and poison is dosage. Think, and know your own limits. End Rant



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