Mixing an energy drink with an alcoholic beverage increases motivation for more alcohol in college students.
BACKGROUND
There has been a dramatic rise in the consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmEDs) in social drinkers. It has been suggested that AmED beverages might lead individuals to drink greater quantities of alcohol. This experiment was designed to investigate whether the consumption of AmEDs would alter alcohol priming (i.e., increasing ratings of wanting another drink) compared with alcohol alone.


METHODS
Participants (n = 80) of equal gender attended 1 session where they were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 doses (0.91 ml/kg vodka, 1.82 ml/kg energy drink, 0.91 ml/kg vodka mixed with 1.82 ml/kg energy drink [AmED], or a placebo beverage). Alcohol-induced priming of the motivation to drink was assessed by self-reported ratings on the Desire for Drug questionnaire.


RESULTS
The priming dose of alcohol increased the subjective ratings of "desire" for more alcohol, consistent with previous research that small doses of alcohol can increase the motivation to drink. Furthermore, higher desire ratings over time were observed with AmEDs compared with alcohol alone. Finally, ratings of liking the drink were similar for the alcohol and AmED conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
An energy drink may elicit increased alcohol priming. This study provides laboratory evidence that AmED beverages may lead to greater motivation to drink versus the same amount of alcohol consumed alone.
Department of Psychological Science , Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, USA. marczinskc1@nku.edu
Cecile A
CA
Marczinski
Mark T
MT
Fillmore
Amy L
AL
Henges
Meagan A
MA
Ramsey
Chelsea R
CR
Young
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000523:psychology; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D061215:Energy Drinks / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation / Q000187:drug effects*; D057566:Self Report
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D000431:Ethanol