Crazing for caffeine

Students have become reliant on alternatives forms of energy

Morgan Hertel, Dispatch Reporter

June 8, 2026

Info-graphic data is from a poll of 377 Bowie students. Out of the respondents there were 75 freshman, 161 sophomores, 117 juniors, and 24 seniors. 128 students identified as male, 234 identified as female, 12 identified as non-binary/other, and 3 preferred not to share.

Energy drink cans cracking open, espresso machines whirring, and coffee orders being called out have all become part of many people’s daily lives. From early mornings headed to a morning practice, to late night homework, an increasing number of teenagers rely on caffeine to maintain their daily schedules.

As the consumption of caffeine among teenagers continues to rise, so do the concerns about how it affects students’ academic performance, sleep, and daily habits. Coffee, various energy drinks, and other highly caffeinated drinks have become increasingly available to teenagers. What many students believe to be a simple energy boost can actually lead to mental health issues, exhaustion, and heart problems.

Info-graphic data is from a poll of 377 Bowie students. Out of the respondents there were 75 freshman, 161 sophomores, 117 juniors, and 24 seniors. 128 students identified as male, 234 identified as female, 12 identified as non-binary/other, and 3 preferred not to share. (Morgan Hertel)

ADDICTION

According to the National Library of Medicine, caffeine is the most commonly used drug in the world. An increasing number of studies have continued to show that some caffeine consumers have become dependent on the drug and are unable to reduce consumption even while understanding the history of health problems associated with their usage.

“I think caffeine is addictive because it’s considered a drug, but I think it’s addictive partially, because of the social aspect of it,” sophomore Dahlia Wildman said. “It’s considered a social norm to drink it a lot, so some people feel the need to drink it because of the social pressures that come with it. I think teens are more addicted to it or rely on it more than other children or adults would because we physically need more energy.”

With continued use of caffeine, people begin to develop a dependency on caffeinated drinks despite the effects that it has on the brain. This is because overtime, their body begins to become immune to the effects from caffeine, causing people to have to increase their dosage in order to feel satisfied.

“Sometimes I do feel like I need caffeine to function,” Wildman said. “It really depends on how much sleep I get. On a day where I don’t have it, I will sometimes get headaches, but that’s the most that happens.”

POSITIVE EFFECTS

According to the Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, correct caffeine usage can also have benefits. The clinic’s research shows that caffeine makes users feel more awake because it blocks the effects of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that makes them feel tired, increases their mood by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine activity which enhances sensory detection, and can improve focus.

“I think part of the reason that caffeine can be addictive for teens is because it can help people function and focus during the duration of the school day,” junior Jayden Youngblood said.

In a Dispatch student survey, around 39% of the students interviewed stated that their main reasoning for caffeine consumption is for an increase of energy. Comparatively, 37% of students interviewed claimed their main reasoning for caffeine consumption was for the taste of the caffeinated drinks.

“I do think caffeine is addictive,” sophomore Bailey Reed said. “Because it can help you wake up and feel less tired. Teens also enjoy the taste of it and often continue to drink it to keep reaching for the feeling of not being tired.”

NEGATIVE EFFECTS

After surveying about 10% of the Bowie student population, results of the survey suggest that over one third of students have experienced negative side effects from consuming caffeine. In fact, 17% of the students surveyed reported that on days where they don’t consume caffeine, they feel more tired than usual.

“I don’t really feel like I need caffeine to function,” sophomore Dylan Cox said. “I feel like I could survive without caffeine, but I just get nauseous and extra tired and sometimes get headaches when I don’t drink it.”

According to The Alcohol and Drug Foundation some negative effects of caffeine include feelings of increased feelings of alertness, activeness, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, dizziness, etc. Various students throughout Bowie were asked about how caffeine affects their lives.

“If I drink an Alani or Bloom energy drink, then my hands and body get really shaky,” sophomore Ruby Royo said. “I also notice that the few times that I do drink caffeine, I get super hyper as well.”

CUTTING BACK

According to healthline.com, limiting or even eliminating caffeine can have significantly positive side effects such as improved sleep quality, decreased anxiety, and reduced headaches. Reducing caffeine intake can also do things like lowering blood pressure, balance hormones and brain chemistry.”

“I had to cut back on caffeine last year,” Wildman said. “I used to drink an energy drink every single day, and then I almost started passing out when I would drink them, so I had to just stop drinking them for a while.”

Similar to other drugs, when suddenly stopping the consumption of caffeine, individuals will often experience withdrawal symptoms which causes many individuals to not want to fully quit the use of the highly addictive drug. According to Riley Children’s Health, for teens ages 12-18, the recommended caffeine intake is around 100 milligrams per day. However, an average energy drink contains around 200 milligrams per can. Because one energy drink can already exceed the recommended limit, teens who consume multiple cans a day may be taking around two to three times the recommended amount for their age group.

“I have tried to cut back on caffeine,” sophomore Oliver Gibson said. “I think it went well because I don’t get grumpy or any other side effects anymore.”

Researchers and medical professionals have also raised concerns about the addictive effects that caffeine can have on teenagers and their ability to regulate their consumption on a healthy level. Often, teens are still developing self control and healthy habits, this causes them to be more likely to become dependent on caffeine without realizing it.

“Overall, I do think caffeine is addictive for teens,” Gibson said. “Because it’s addictive for everyone of all ages, but specifically teens because they are less likely to control addictive tendencies.”

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