Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Sam Shumaker Rafael Diaz, an accounting junior, works on a paper for his business class yesterday afternoon in the ILC with an energy drink at his side. Stimulants like energy drinks are safe in moderation, but consuming too many can lead to addiction and dependency.

With midterms hitting students throughout the week, many are reaching for cans, cups and pills to help them get through the late nights of studying.

Besides the myriad of facts and other tidbits they're reading, students should also keep in mind the effects such substances can have on their bodies, said Lynn Reyes, an alcohol and drug prevention specialist at the Campus Health Service.

"Coffee is usually harmless, but all stimulants can be a risk when not used in moderation," she said.

Caffeine is the most widespread stimulant used to aid students cramming for tests, and coffee shops around campus have noticed a surge as exam week approaches.

"We definitely get a lot busier," said Chris Fraker, an employee at the Starbucks on East University Boulevard. "You look around and see students everywhere at tables studying, and you pretty much know it's midterms week."

Coffee is perhaps the most common source of caffeine among student options, although energy drinks, which also contain vitamins and sugar, have been looked to increasingly as a quick source of vigor.

In fact, coffee is the most immediately potent. A 16-ounce cup from Starbucks contains an average of 330 milligrams of caffeine, while an 8.2-ounce can of Red Bull contains only 80.

Monster and Rock Star, two other popular energy drinks, contain 160 milligrams in their 16-ounce cans.

Regardless, drinking too much caffeine can cause jitters and anxiety attacks, and ends up being counterproductive to the study process, Reyes said.

She added that frequent consumption of energy drinks could lead to a whole other range of health problems.

Adderall is a stimulant prescribed to treat attention-deficit disorder, and it has been known to help students stay awake to study and improve their ability to focus.

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