Can energy drinks trigger panic attacks? Top US doctor explains

Energy drinks may be doing more harm than good. People often consume these drinks to stay awake, improve focus, or boost energy. But are these energy drinks stimulating our nervous system more than it is supposed to? A video of a woman (@quensadillareturns) is going viral on TikTok after she claimed that drinking an energy drink left her on the verge of panic attacks. “Has anyone ever tested the Celsius energy drink for methamphetamines? Because I drank one five hours ago and I still feel like I'm about to have a panic attack,” the woman said in the video. The video has garnered thousands of views and raised questions about whether these popular beverages could have unexpected effects. So, can these energy drinks trigger a panic attack? Let’s take a look.

What are energy drinks

Energy drinks are marketed as products that boost energy and enhance mental alertness and physical performance. There are two kinds of energy drink products. One that comes in containers similar to regular soft drinks - a 16-oz. bottle. The other is known as ‘energy shots’, which is sold in small containers - 2 to 2½ oz of concentrated liquid.


Caffeine is a major ingredient in energy drinks. The caffeine levels can range from 70 to 240 mg in a 16-oz. drink and 113 to 200 mg in an energy shot. Some drinks may also contain ingredients such as guarana (another source of caffeine sometimes called Brazilian cocoa), sugars, taurine, ginseng, B vitamins, glucuronolactone, yohimbe, carnitine, and bitter orange.

Can energy drinks really cause panic attacks

Energy drinks are consumed by thousands of people across the world. While some turn to energy drinks to prevent falling asleep, others consume them for their supposed energy-boosting properties. But are these popular beverages really wreaking havoc on our health? Dr. Joe Whittington, a board-certified emergency medicine physician based in California, has now explained how energy drinks could provide more than just energy. “So what she's feeling is coming from the caffeine levels. A can of Celsius has about 200 milligrams of caffeine,” the doctor said, referring to the condition of the woman in the video.

Speaking of the stimulant in the drink, he added, “One of the main ingredients in energy drinks is caffeine, which is a stimulant that can increase mental and physical performance. The caffeine content in energy drinks can vary widely, with some brands containing as much as 500 milligrams per serving, which is equivalent to about 5 cups of coffee.”

He also cautioned about being aware of the caffeine content in some of the popular energy drinks. “Compared to other beverages, a can of Coke has about 35 milligrams of caffeine. A Monster drink, 150 milligrams. But it's less than a Rockstar, which sits at about 250 milligrams of caffeine,” he said.

“If your body's fairly naive to this much caffeine in a short amount of time, it can make you feel extremely jittery and exacerbate severe anxiety. So be careful with these drinks,” he added.


The doctor also emphasized the importance of only taking energy drinks in moderation: “It is important to consume energy drinks in moderation and be aware of the caffeine content, as consuming too much caffeine can have negative health consequences such as insomnia, anxiety, and heart palpitations.”