The alcoholic energy drink Four Loko has gained national attention recently with the hospitalization of dozens of college students around the country who had consumed the drink. Most notably, according to an article on msnbc.com, nine freshmen were hospitalized with alcohol poisoning after attending an off-campus party near Central Washington University. The symptoms were so severe that authorities first suspected that so called “date rape drugs” had been used. While other alcoholic beverages were involved, Four Loko is being considered the main culprit.

The fruity drink, nicknamed “liquid cocaine” and “blackout in a can,” has been banned on two college campuses as a result, and the Food and Drug Association (FDA) has announced intentions to investigate the safety of the product and others like it.

These types of beverages, however, are no new phenomenon. People have been enjoying caffeinated alcoholic drinks for years, something Phusion Projects LLC, the company behind Four Loko, is quick to point out.

In a press release available on their website, the company attested that “consuming rum and cola, an Irish coffee or a Red Bull and vodka are all popular practices.” The company goes on to mention that mixing caffeine and alcohol has been proven to be safe by an independent research study.

“An independent panel of scientific and food safety experts unanimously concluded that combining caffeine and alcohol is safe,” the company said.

The FDA ordered manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages to provide this proof in 2009. However, the FDA is now conducting its own investigation, in light of recent events.

The “Four” in Four Loko stands for the four main ingredients in the beverage: alcohol, caffeine, guarana, and taurine. Four Loko comes in a 23.5 oz. can with either 6% or 12% alcohol by volume (ABV), depending on state regulations, according to msnbc.com. Drinking one of those cans is equivalent, in terms of alcohol consumption, to drinking five and a half 4.2% ABV 12oz. cans of light beer, such as Bud Light or Keystone Light.

Anita Flick, M.D., Director of Health Professions Advising and assistant professor of biology, thinks the main concern with Four Loko should be the sheer volume of alcohol. “The main thing here is high alcohol content, low volume,” Flick said. “[Drinkers of Four Loko] are not drinking the quantity, so they don’t equate it with high alcoholic intake.”

Flick further commented on the beverages’ high concentration of alcohol.

“Students can chug [a Four Loko] a lot easier than they can sit down and drink a six pack,” she said.

Sarah Ash, Coordinator of Undergraduate Nutrition Program in food, bioprocessing, and nutrition sciences, said the addition of caffeine promotes unsafe drinking habits.

“The basic problem with this inane concept is that it not only provides a large dose of alcohol, but it facilitates the consumption of even more by also providing a stimulant,” she said.

“I don’t understand why anyone thinks it’s necessary to add caffeine to
alcohol,” Ash added.

Caffeine is the active ingredient in drinks such as coffee, red bull, and many soft drinks. It is a stimulant, often attributed with the ability to sharpen senses, provide focus, or simply to keep tired people awake. Mixing it with alcohol, which is a depressant, can have negative effects, according to Ash.

Caffeine “counteracts alcohol’s depressive effects,” Ash said.”Being a wide awake drunk can be very dangerous to others as well as to yourself if you think you are alert enough to drive.”

According to Ash, the guarana is just another source of caffeine, and the taurine is added as a marketing tool.

“Caffeine also comes from the guarana,” Ash said. “I think the taurine is just window-dressing and makes for a cooler sounding, name–Four Loko v. Three Loko.”

Flick expressed similar sentiment.

“Guarana actually has much more caffeine than coffee,” she said. “Taurine is a naturally occurring amino acid that you actually already have in your body.”

Flick expressed relief when informed that the FDA is examining the safety of mixing alcohol and caffeine.

“Finally. How did they get away with it until now?” But Flick said, “there is a risk with anything.” “I think [the events at Central Washington] were truly a case of alcohol abuse with inexperienced users.”