Premium
The effects of alcohol mixed with energy drink (AMED) on subjective intoxication and alertness: results from a double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Author(s) -
Loo Aurora J. A. E.,
Andel Nienke,
Gelder Charlotte A. G. H.,
Janssen Boris S. G.,
Titulaer Joep,
Jansen Jimmy,
Verster Joris C.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.2529
Subject(s) - alertness , alcohol intoxication , placebo , alcohol , psychology , medicine , alcoholic intoxication , poison control , psychiatry , injury prevention , biochemistry , chemistry , alternative medicine , environmental health , pathology
Objective The purpose of this double blind placebo controlled study was to examine if specific effects on subjective intoxication and alertness–sleepiness ratings could be demonstrated after consuming alcohol mixed with energy drink (AMED) when compared to consuming alcohol only (AO). Methods 56 healthy volunteers rated their subjective intoxication on a scale ranging from 0 (sober) to 10 (highly intoxicated) at baseline, breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0%, and at BAC 0.08%, 0.05%, and 0.02%. Alertness–sleepiness was assessed with the Karolinska sleepiness scale. Scores of the AMED and AO condition, at each BAC level, were compared. Results Subjective intoxication for AMED and AO did not differ significantly from each other at any BAC level, except for BAC 0.02%. A significant increase in sleepiness scores was found in the AO condition, whereas scores remained stable in the AMED condition. Sleepiness scores at BAC0.08% and 0.05% were significantly lower after AMED when compared to AO. However, the observed differences between AMED and AO were small and have no clinical relevance. Conclusion Mixing alcohol with energy drink had no overall masking effect on subjective intoxication caused by alcohol, nor had a relevant effect on subjective alertness‐sleepiness ratings. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.