HuffPo – We know caffeine can be good for us: not only is it loaded with antioxidants and nutrients, but it can also help lower the risk of several serious diseases.
But mixing it with alcohol? Yeah, not such a great idea, according to science. And although many of us have tried a vodka/champagne-Red Bull concoction, turns out, this mixture’s long-term effects on the brain are similar to the changes caused by taking cocaine, according to a study published in the science journal Plos One.
“It seems the two substances together push them over a limit that causes changes in their behaviour and changes the neurochemistry in their brains,” Richard van Rijn, the university’s assistant professor of medicinal chemistry, said. “We are clearly seeing effects of the combined drinks that we would not see if drinking one or the other.”
Van Rijn also explained why drinking an alcohol-caffeine drink is like taking cocaine:
“That’s one reason why it’s so difficult for drug users to quit because of these lasting changes in the brain,” van Rijn said. “Mice that had been exposed to alcohol and caffeine were somewhat numb to the rewarding effects of cocaine as adults… They may then use more cocaine to get the same effect.”
So scientists told us something that we probably already knew. Drinking Red Bull and Vodka probably isn’t the smartest choice when you’re out at the bars. But I’m definitely a “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade” type of guy so perhaps the real take away from this study isn’t how bad Red Bull and vodka is for you but rather that doing cocaine isn’t any worse than drinking a Red Bull and vodka. That’s science folks!
You’re welcome!
PS – Don’t do coke. It’s expensive and kind of bad for you. Just continue taking your Adderall, it’s basically the same thing and your parents think you need it because of your ADHD 😉
