there seems to be 3 different issues in this article:

- mixing alcohol and energy drinks (health-wise, e.g. arrhythmia)

- mixing alcohol and energy drinks (psychologically, e.g. increased risky behavior)

- age restriction on energy drinks to prevent kids from drinking them

i am not positive how i feel on the first two. i could be convinced that the third is reasonable for some age group, though i think it would be silly to ban it for all under-21s.

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harimau777 8 hours ago | parent | next [-]

My understanding is that part of the problem with mixing caffine with alcohol is that it can prevent someone from passing out; which is the body's defense mechanism against alcohol poisoning.

From that perspective I think that an argument could be made that restricting caffinated alcohol is regulating substances with known health risks.

Full disclosure: I like vodka Redbulls. So I'm not saying this like I'm someone who is moral panicking.

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TylerE 8 hours ago | parent | next [-]

No, the bodies defense against alcohol is vomiting. "Passing out" increases risk, namely that you vomit while asleep, and then choke on the vomit.

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doctorpangloss 8 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Four Lokos were indeed banned in Massachusetts.

	▲	willy_k 8 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Four Loko had to take the caffeine out across the US years ago. Now it’s just 8 standard drinks in a tall boy for $4 - still very much a problem but no caffeine.
	▲	kube-system 8 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		The original caffeinated Four Loko formula was discontinued everywhere 16 years ago.

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randysalami 9 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Vodka Red Bull always seemed crazy to me. Caffeine lasts like 6 hours so I drink one at 2 am, what the hell am I doing! Granted people do cocaine so maybe it’s inconsequential.

Drinking some coffee at 6 and 10 though before a night out, good move. Where I am, the nights can go to 4 or 6 easily.

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tomjakubowski 8 hours ago | parent | next [-]

There is actually quite a lot of variation from person to person in caffeine elimination half-life, from about 1.5-9 hours. Some of my extended family could drink a cup of coffee right before bed without issue.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK223808/

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xnx 8 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Espresso martini is the popular caffeine and alcohol combo now.

	▲	randysalami 8 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Good callout! More popular with the ladies too

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jpalawaga 8 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

if you're up til 6, your next day is already shot. who cares about caffeine at 2am at that point.

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rpmisms 8 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Crown and Red Bull (tastes better) is my order if I want to drink and dance.

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ge96 8 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

long live 4 loco