“High” Motivation for Alcohol: What are the Practical Effects of Energy Drinks on Alcohol Priming?

Background While several researchers have proposed a causal relationship between alcohol mixed with energy drink ( A m ED ) consumption and subsequent alcohol intake, there is a dearth of research exploring the potential mechanisms underpinning this association. Methods M arczinski and colleagues (in press) report the results of a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, between‐groups study assessing whether an initial A m ED dose primes an increased motivation to drink relative to alcohol alone. Participants ( n  =   80) received either alcohol (0.91 ml/kg vodka), energy drink ( ED ; 1.82 ml/kg R ed B ull ® ), A m ED , or a placebo beverage and then self‐reported their motivation to drink via the Desire‐for‐Drug scale. Results Subjective ratings of “desire more alcohol” were significantly higher than predrink in the placebo, alcohol, and A m ED conditions, with this effect apparent at more time points in the A m ED condition. While it was concluded that ED s may increase alcohol priming, between‐condition analyses revealed that ratings did not differ significantly in A m ED and alcohol conditions, with moderate magnitude treatment effects at most, and ratings of desire generally closer to 0 (absence of desire) than 100 (very much desire). Conclusions While the study by M arczinski and colleagues fills an important gap in the literature, direct measurement of A m ED priming's effect on subsequent alcohol consumption using a within‐subjects design and appropriate statistical comparison is required to (i) establish the practical implications of these results for A m ED consumers and (ii) discount any individual differences in such priming effects.