NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse  Energy Drinks: A
Boost in the Wrong Direction?  Sara Bellum   Energy drinks often
pack in extra vitamins, along with caffeine, which delivers the
eye-opening jolt of energy, and is supposed to boost your brain
power. People, even teens, seek that extra kick from energy
drinks to stay alert longer or perform better sometimes. But do
these drinks really boost your brain?  The makers of these
drinks claim their drinks deliver energy, but in fact, what they
deliver are monster-doses of caffeine and other supplements that
rev up your system. Although they may deliver a temporary jolt
of energy, they also boost your heart rate, making you feel
jittery and on-edge-and too much caffeine can cause stomach
aches. Plus, having an energy drink every day might fool you
into thinking you can’t function without it.  Teens are busy.
School, sports, a part-time job, and never-ending
homework…finally sleep, then having to get up while it’s still
dark out to do it all over again. N