Everyone was trying to be very drunk, yet also, defiantly, very awake.
Sales of those productscame to a screeching halt.
(Four Loko currently states ontheir website: Four Loko does not contain caffeine, taurine or guarana.
Radionphoto/Getty Images
As part of a voluntary product reformulation in 2010, we removed these ingredients.)
Even so, the alcohol-caffeine combination is still going strong.
Experts do know, however, that a chemical called adenosine has a lot to do with it.
When it reaches high levels, it is one factor that makes you sleepy, he explains.
Caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant, essentially wards off drowsiness by suppressing rising adenosine levels.
Caffeine also acts on other parts of your body, like yourheart.
National Library of Medicine.
As a central nervous system depressant, alcohol has a wildly different effect on you than caffeine.
Much like caffeine, alcohol is associated with atemporary increase in heart rateandblood pressure.
Does that mean drinking the two together could spell extra trouble for your cardiovascular system?
But that doesnt mean mixing caffeine and alcohol results indoublystrong heart effects than consuming one of them alone.
Ultimately, the research on how this combo affects your heart is somewhat mixed and limited, Fritz says.
The lack of knowledge there thus argues for increased caution, he says.
Whats more, the long-term effects of the combination on cardiac health [are] not known.
This might sound like a good thing, but it can actually be dangerous.
Your decision-making and coordination will be just as impaired.
You just might not realize it because the caffeine makes youfeelall bright-eyed and on top of your game.
This basically means you could have a longer window of time to get into trouble.
Theres no point in chugging caffeinated drinks when youre drunk.
It wont somehow make the alcohol evaporate from your system.
Contrary to popular belief, caffeine does not sober you up, Stoner says.
To my knowledge, this has not been carefully examined, says Fritz.
Its an important question.
This is about way more than avoiding ahangover.
You dont want to hurt yourself or others because youre getting intoxicated in a way you dont realize.
“As with all types of alcohol, moderation is key.
