Work

Caffeine, Alcohol, and Youth: A Toxic Mix

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: Thank you all for participating in the inaugural roundtable discussion for Journal of Caffeine Research.Let us begin with the popular perception of caffeine as an ''antidote'' to alcohol intoxication.The neurochemical relationship between alcohol and caffeine appears to be complex.Alcohol influences the interaction of several neurotransmitters, and this has important implications in terms of the mixture of caffeine and alcohol, particularly with respect to activities that require sustained attention and executive function.I am interested in your comments, Jonathan.Your research speaks to the safe execution of activities that require sustained attention.Dr. Howland: We have just published a randomized trial of the acute effects of intoxication with caffeinated beer versus non-caffeinated beer on attention/reaction time and a simulated driving task. 1 We found main effects for alcohol on both outcomes, with alcohol impairing both attention/ reaction time and driving, but no performance differences between the groups receiving caffeinated versus noncaffeinated beer.Dr. O'Brien: And so, in your report, there was more variability in speed and lateral movement and increased crashes with alcohol, but there did not appear to be a protective benefit from the addition of caffeine.Am I right?Dr.

Source: Journal of Caffeine Research

DOI: 10.1089/jcr.2011.1202

Authors: Mary Claire O'Brien, Amelia M. Arria, Jonathan Howland, Jack E. James, Cecile A. Marczinski