Caffeine, Alcohol, and Youth: A Toxic Mix.

Dr. O'Brien: Thank you all for participating in the inaugural roundtable discussion for Journal of Caffeine Research. Let us begin with the popular perception of caffeine as an “antidote” to alcohol intoxication. The neurochemical relationship between alcohol and caffeine appears to be complex. Alcohol influences the interaction of several neurotransmitters, and this has important implications in terms of the mixture of caffeine and alcohol, particularly with respect to activities that require sustained attention and executive function. I am interested in your comments, Jonathan. Your research speaks to the safe execution of activities that require sustained attention.