A variety of energy drinks are available; the skinny "bullet" can shape is popular. Energy drinks are beverages that are designed to give the consumer a burst of energy by using a combination of methylxanthines (including caffeine), B vitamins, and exotic herbal ingredients. Energy drinks commonly include caffeine, guarana (extracts from the guarana plant) or taurine plus various forms of ginseng, maltodextrin, inositol, carnitine, creatine, glucuronolactone and ginkgo biloba. Some contain high levels of sugar, while most brands also offer an artificially sweetened version. The central active ingredient in most energy drinks is caffeine the same stimulant found in coffee or tea, often in the form of guarana or yerba mate. The average 237 ml (8 fl. oz.) energy drink has about 80mg of caffeine, about the same amount as a weak cup of coffee, with 480 ml (16 fl. oz.) drinks containing around 150mg, although recent drinks have created a stir by containing as much as 300mg of caffeine. These drinks are typically marketed to young people, and people 'on the go.' Approximately 65% percent of energy drink users are under the age of 35 years old, with males representing approximately 65% of the market.[1]

Energy drinks may cause seizures in those who suffer from certain forms of epilepsy due to the "crash" following the energy high that occurs after consumption.[2]France has an ongoing ban on one popular energy drink after the untimely death of athlete Ross Cooney after drinking the energy drink Red Bull. The French Scientific Committee concluded that Red Bull has excessive amounts of caffeine. Denmark and Norway have created similar laws to France. In the United States, some states are cracking down on energy drink makers that have potentially hazardous ingredients, such as alcohol included in the mix. Since alcohol is a depressant, and caffeine is a stimulant, this combination can result in a person being unaware of their lack of sobriety.