The relationship between the consumption of energy drinks and psychotropic drug use by youth: What do we know about this phenomenon?
This literature review, in the form of a critical narrative review, aims to assess the state of knowledge of the consumption of energy drinks among youth as well as related behaviours, such as psychotropic drug use and other risky behaviours. The analysis of the identified studies indicates that young adults consume energy drinks for diverse reasons and on various occasions. Furthermore, these drinks would be consumed by users of other psychoactive substances, such as tobacco, alcohol and drugs. This poly drug use can result in effects that are often more harmful than beneficial. Moreover, results from various studies indicate that consumption of alcoholic energy drinks is associated with risky behaviours, such as drinking and driving, riding with an impaired driver, having sexual relations under the influence of psychoactive substances, and behaving aggressively. Nevertheless, the studies produced have certain limitations, notably the fact that the predominantly cross-sectional design of these investigations makes it impossible to establish cause-and-effect relationships. Therefore, caution should be used when interpreting the data. However, the consumption of energy drinks in combination with other psychoactive substances is a worrisome phenomenon given the potentially undesirable effects.