Psychopathology Related to Energy Drinks: A Psychosis Case Report

Abstract

Energy drinks (ED) are nonalcoholic beverages that have caffeine as their most common active substance. The rapid expansion of ED consumption has created concern in the scientific community as well as in the public opinion. We report a psychotic episode probably triggered by ED abuse in a young adult without previous psychotic disorders. We have reviewed the literature regarding the relationship between caffeine, energy drinks, and psychopathology. Few articles have been published about mental health effects of energy drinks and caffeine abuse. Nevertheless, this relationship has been suggested, specifically with anxiety disorders, manic episodes, suicide attempts, psychotic decompensation, and substance use disorder. ED consumption could represent a global public health problem because of the potential severe adverse effects in mental and physical health. To our knowledge, this article is probably the first case of psychosis related to ED abuse in an individual without previous psychotic disorders.

Consumption of energy drinks is associated with depression, anxiety, and stress in young adult males: Evidence from a longitudinal cohort study

“…Single‐patient case studies in adults suggest that ED consumption can precede mental health problems (Hernandez‐Huerta, Martin‐Larregola, Gomez‐Arnau, Correas‐Lauffer, & Dolengevich‐Segal, 2017; Szpak, Allen, Szpak, & Allen, 2012). In contrast, an Italian cross‐sectional study, conducted with children 10–16 years old, found ED intake was associated with regular smoking but not psychological distress (Cofini, Cecilia, Di Giacomo, Binkin, & Di Orio, 2019).…”

A Case of Psychosis and Renal Failure Associated with Excessive Energy Drink Consumption

“…A small number of case reports describe the emergence of psychosis following excessive caffeinated drink consumption in those without previously diagnosed psychotic disorders, with the first clear case being reported in 1936 [8]. More recently, Hernandez-Huerta et al[9], Cruzado et al [10], and Sharma et al [11] have described 3 cases of psychosis arising de novo following excessive caffeine intake. The ages of the 3 patients range from 18 to 32, and daily caffeine intake ranges from 480 mg to 1300 mg per day.…”

“…In all cases, psychotic symptoms were short lived (with symptoms typically lasting under 1 month) and appeared to be associated with a good prognosis at follow-up (follow-up periods ranged between 6 weeks and 2 years). Intercurrent life stressors (particularly work-related stress) were frequently associated with the high consumption of caffeine/energy drinks in the reported cases of caffeine-associated psychosis [9, 10].…”

High Risk in Energy Drinks: Caffeine

“…Ayrıca; uyuşturucu bağımlılığını hızlandırdığı, epileptik atak ve uyku bozukluklarını tetiklediği, akut psikoz gelişmesine ve hipokalemik paralize neden olduğu da literatürde mevcuttur. 11,21,26,34,35 Enerji içeceğinin majör bileşeni kafein, alkol ve tütün gibi yasal olarak kullanılmaktadır. Ülkemizde Türk Gıda Kodeksi tebliğinde belirlenen düzenlemeler kapsamında, ürün etiketlerinin uyarı başlığı altında kolaylıkla görülebilecek şekilde "Alkol ile karıştırılarak veya beraber tüketilmemelidir.…”

“…Enerji içeceği alımıyla sekonder ilişkisi olduğu düşünülen uzun QT sendromu gelişen hastalar bildirilmiştir. 21 Yapılan araştırmalar, enerji içeceğinin tüketiminin tehlikeli olabileceği ile ilgili üç neden göstermişlerdir; birincisi, başta adölesanlar olmak üzere, düzenli olarak kafein alımının yüksek tansiyon ve uyku bozukluğuna yol açtığıdır. 22 İkincisi, alkol ile birlikte karıştırıldığında alkolün yalnız başına alınmasından daha fazla yan etkileri olduğu gözlenmiştir.…”