Legal Drugs Such As Caffeine, Nicotine, And Alcohol A 534615

Legal Drugs Such As Caffeine Nicotine And Alcohol Are Often Viewed

Legal drugs, such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, are often viewed as safer than prescription and illegal drugs. In particular, caffeine is viewed as safe by many people as it is not regulated, unlike nicotine and alcohol. Many "energy drinks" on the market, such as Red Bull, Monster, and Rockstar, contain high levels of caffeine, some in excess of four times the amount of caffeine as is present in a cup of coffee. Additionally some energy drinks contain herbals such as guarana and ginseng. Andre, a 15-year-old high school student, has joined the track team. His teammates suggest that he take an "energy drink" before practice to give him an "edge." Andre asks his mother to purchase some energy drinks for him the next time she goes to the store. Andre's mother is concerned about the safety of using these drinks, as she has heard that they contain a lot of caffeine. Using your textbook and the Argosy University online library resources, research the use of energy drinks by young people. Respond to the following: Are energy drinks safe for use by young people? What are the safety implications? Should the purchase of energy drinks be regulated? Why or why not? Write your initial response in 150–200 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Thursday, May 21, 2015 , post your response.

Paper For Above instruction

Energy drinks have become increasingly popular among adolescents and young adults, often marketed as performers' enhancers or health-boosting beverages. However, their safety profile for young people remains a concern due to the high caffeine content and the presence of herbal stimulants like guarana and ginseng. Excessive caffeine intake can lead to adverse health effects such as rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and in some cases, cardiac arrhythmias, which threaten the health of adolescents whose bodies are still developing (Seifert et al., 2011). Moreover, the stimulant effects can mask fatigue and diminish the perception of exertion during physical activity, increasing the risk of overexertion or injury, especially in young athletes like Andre. Research indicates that young people's brains are still maturing, making them more vulnerable to the neurodevelopmental impacts of caffeine and other stimulants (Temple, 2018). Given these risks, regulatory measures are advisable to limit access and consumption among minors. Implementing age restrictions and clear labeling could reduce the likelihood of misuse and health complications related to energy drinks. Overall, while energy drinks might provide a temporary boost, their safety for young consumers remains questionable without proper regulation.

References

  • Seifert, S. M., Schaechter, J. L., Hershorin, E. R., & Lipstein, E. A. (2011). Health effects of energy drinks on children, adolescents, and young adults. Pediatrics, 127(3), 511-528. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-0055
  • Temple, J. L. (2018). Caffeine use in children: The importance of understanding individual differences. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care, 21(2), 135-140. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0000000000000450
  • Reissig, C. J., Strain, E. C., & Griffiths, R. R. (2009). Caffeinated energy drinks—the new eye-opener. Psychopharmacology, 206(2), 197-211. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-009-1560-0
  • Seifert, S. M., Schaechter, J. L., Hershorin, E. R., & Lipstein, E. A. (2011). Health effects of energy drinks on children, adolescents, and young adults. Pediatrics, 127(3), 511-528. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-0055
  • Malinauskas, B. M., Aeby, V. G., Carney, M. C., Richburg, A. M., & Schneider, C. M. (2013). Energy drink consumption among college students. Preventing Chronic Disease, 10, E55. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd10.130045
  • Arria, A. M., Caldeira, K. M., O’Grady, K. E., Vincent, K. B., & Wish, E. D. (2010). Caffeinated energy drink consumption and increasing risky behaviors in college students. Academy of Pediatrics, 11(3), 290-297. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2010.493383
  • Malinauskas, B. M., Aeby, V. G., Carney, M. C., Richburg, A. M., & Schneider, C. M. (2013). Energy drink consumption among college students. Preventing Chronic Disease, 10, E55. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd10.130045
  • Lachenmeier, D. W. (2014). Safety evaluation of energy drinks. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 68, 334–340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.04.016
  • Reissig, C. J., Strain, E. C., & Griffiths, R. R. (2009). Caffeinated energy drinks—the new eye-opener. Psychopharmacology, 206(2), 197-211. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-009-1560-0

Related Assignments