Mixing Caffeine and Alcohol
In recent years, it has become more popular to mix alcohol and caffeine. Mixes of energy drinks and alcohol are popular, as are bar cocktails made with energy drinks, such as espresso martinis or energy drinks mixed with vodka.
Young adults and teenagers are more likely to mix alcohol and caffeine than any other age group. Around half of college students will mix alcohol and energy drinks to increase their partying abilities. Nonetheless, mixing these two can be risky. This blog will discuss why individuals combine alcohol and caffeine and the potential effects of doing so.
Why Do People Mix Caffeine and Alcohol?
Some of the most common causes of mixing alcoholic drinks with caffeine-containing drinks are:
- Preventing a hangover.
- Enjoying the resulting flavor.
- In order to drink more alcohol.
Mixing caffeine and alcohol can make you overindulge.
What Side Effects Can Mixing Caffeine and Alcohol Have on The Body?
Caffeine is a stimulant, meaning it speeds up your brain’s processes. That’s why it has the potential to boost your energy levels. Caffeine improves brain function, allowing you to do things like staying awake and focused for a long time.
Contrarily, alcohol is a depressant, which is to say that it reduces the rate at which your brain functions. That may lead to issues, including blackouts and a decline in motor control.
Therefore, the combined effects of these two substances are counterproductive and problematic.
Other Side Effects of Mixing Caffeine and Alcohol
- Dehydration
Both alcoholic drinks and caffeinated drinks are diuretics, meaning they increase the frequency with which one must urinate. Excessive urine without enough water intake may cause dehydration, which manifests as dry mouth, thirst, and dizziness. There are several negative consequences of dehydration on the skin and the rest of the body, including impaired renal function, muscular cramps, reduced brain blood vessel size, and disorientation in mild to severe instances.
- Heart Problems
Consuming both alcohol and caffeine at the same time may lead to dangerously high blood pressure. Having high blood pressure increases your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, a heart attack, or a stroke. Mixing alcohol and caffeine should be avoided by those with irregular heartbeats because it can affect the heart’s contraction rate.
- Acute Alcohol Poisoning
Caffeine prevents you from feeling the effects of alcohol, so you can drink more alcohol than you would otherwise. Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) will continue to rise even if you don’t feel drunk. Consuming more alcohol than normal puts you in danger of alcohol poisoning, which may be deadly if not addressed quickly.
- Sleeping Problems
People who consume alcohol often may experience chronic sleeping problems. Insomnia affects around 18% of alcoholics, compared to 10% of those who are not alcoholics. Sleep paralysis and alcohol-induced sleep apnea are two additional sleep disorders that may develop due to heavy alcohol abuse.
Because it blocks sleep-inducing receptors in the brain and affects the body’s circadian clock, caffeine is also a major sleep disruptor. The chemical adenosine in the brain is responsible for making you feel sleepy. Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, making it harder to fall asleep and keeping you up for longer. Hence mixing alcohol and caffeine can cause severe sleeping problems.
Mallard Lake is the Best Solution for Your Alcohol Addiction
Please contact Mallard Lake Detox Center in Houston, Texas, if you or a loved one is suffering from the dreadful effects of alcohol addiction and needs assistance in finding a solution. Mallard Lake Center is committed to guiding persons suffering from alcoholism through the detox process and equipping them with the tools they need to live a successful, alcohol-free life. If you reside outside of Texas, our admissions team at Mallard Lake Center can also help you find a good alcohol addiction treatment center within your area.
