LAUSR

We examined prevalence and motives of energy drink consumption (EDC) and the relationship between EDC and sleep in college students. A literature review revealed most common motives for EDC in the general population include promoting wakefulness, increasing energy, and enhancing alcohol’s effects. Excessive daytime sleepiness has been found the day after EDC and EDC increases sleep latency (persisting up to eight hours). We pursued these questions as well as clinical implications in a college population. Recruited from introductory psychology courses, 162 students (age: M=22.06 years, SD=5.87) met course requirements or obtained extra credit for participation. Participants completed demographic information, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), questions regarding associated features of inadequate sleep, the Sleep Hygiene Index, and questions assessing weekly quantity and motivation for energy drink consumption. 90.6% of participants consumed energy drinks (42% traditional consumer drinks such as RedBull, 77% tea/coffee, 66% soda). The most common motivations were taste (57%), completing projects (43%), staying alert (42%), preventing sleepiness (41%), and staying productive (37%). More EDC was significantly related to greater daytime dysfunction (PSQI-7) (r(156)=.158, p=.024), more maladaptive sleep hygiene (r(158)=.206, p=.005), poor sleep quality (PSQI-Global) r(155)=.154, p=.027), shorter sleep duration (r(155)=-.161, p=.022), and associated features of poor sleep (daytime sleepiness: r(158)=.280, p<.001, worry: r(158)=.139, p=.04, and reduced attention: r(158)=.174, p=.014). Logistic regression models showed for each one additional energy drink per day, increasing odds of sleepiness (OR=1.71, CI=1.21-2.40) poor sleep quality (OR=1.63, CI=1.04-2.55), and short sleep duration (OR=1.56, CI=1.14-2.13). EDC, including coffee/tea, is widespread among college students and is most frequently motivated by liking the taste and promoting productivity/alertness. The active ingredient most frequently associated with energy drinks, caffeine, is viewed as relatively innocuous. Causality is unclear, however, these data suggest frequent EDC in college students is associated with sleep problems and may oppose motivations for use (e.g., one consumes ED to combat sleepiness and/or improve efficiency and instead finds attention and sleep impaired). Education and clinical guidance could help users understand associated risks and that changes in even one drink per day could lead to clinically important improvements.