Frequent use of energy drinks is associated with binge drinking, alcohol-related social problems and misuse of prescription drugs among musicians, according to researchers at the University at Buffalo.
In survey results published in the Journal of Caffeine Research this spring, researchers examined substance use by 226 professional and amateur musicians aged 18 to 45, with an average age of 28.
In the sample, 94 percent were caffeine users and 57 percent reported use of energy drinks specifically. Duet to their late and irregular hours, musicians are often fans of energy drinks.
Musicians who used energy drinks reported significantly more misuse of legal substances than those who did not use energy drinks. For example, 31 percent of energy drink users misused prescription drugs (compared to 13 percent of nonusers) and 76 percent reported binge drinking (compared to 59 percent of nonusers).
Last spring, 15 states banned the sale of the Colt 45 drink Blast, endorsed by rapper Snoop Dogg. A 700 ml can contains 12 percent alcohol, the equivalent of six cans of beer. The rapper has been accused of encouraging young people to consume excessive amounts of alcohol.