Can Coffee Really Get You Drunk? What New Research Shows

Mixing coffee with alcohol might make you feel more alert, but it doesn’t mean you’re safe to drive or make critical decisions. A study published in Behavioural Neurosciences reveals that combining the two can dangerously disguise your level of intoxication—leading you to believe you’re capable when you’re not.

Yes, you can feel less drunk when mixing coffee and alcohol—but your actual ability to function isn’t improved. Research on mice shows that while alcohol causes disorientation, caffeine can mask those effects, giving a false sense of sobriety. This illusion of clarity significantly increases risky behavior, especially behind the wheel.

Why Caffeine Doesn’t Cancel Out Alcohol

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, slowing brain function and impairing motor skills, judgment, and reaction time. Caffeine, on the other hand, is a stimulant that increases alertness and can temporarily reduce feelings of fatigue. But here’s the key problem: caffeine does not reverse the cognitive and physical impairments caused by alcohol. Instead, it can make you feel more awake while your decision-making remains compromised.

In the study conducted by Dr. Thomas Gould and his team at Temple University in Philadelphia, researchers tested the effects of alcohol, caffeine, and their combination on mice through maze navigation and avoidance tasks. The findings clearly demonstrated that while each substance affects behavior differently, their combination creates a false sense of competence.

What the Mouse Studies Revealed

The experiments compared three groups: mice given alcohol, mice given caffeine (equivalent to six to eight cups for humans), and mice given both. Each group was evaluated for anxiety levels, awareness of dangers, and overall motor activity.

• Alcohol-only mice: Showed signs of anxiety, increased movement, and difficulty avoiding harmful stimuli.
• Caffeine-only mice: Exhibited higher anxiety, reduced movement, and poorer hazard avoidance despite being more awake.
• Alcohol and caffeine mice: The caffeine reduced the typical anxiety caused by alcohol, making the mice appear calmer and more relaxed. However, their ability to avoid threats remained impaired, and they mistakenly believed they were in control.

Dr. Gould emphasized that this mirrors what happens in humans: “People who consume both alcohol and caffeine feel more awake and self-assured, but their actual cognitive and motor abilities are still significantly diminished.”

The Real-World Danger: Energy Drinks and Mixed Cocktails

The issue isn’t limited to lab mice. In the real world, people often consume alcohol mixed with high-caffeine energy drinks or “alcohol energy” cocktails. These beverages can make drinkers feel less intoxicated than they really are, increasing the likelihood of engaging in dangerous activities such as driving, unsafe social behavior, or making poor health decisions.

According to Dr. Gould, “The public has embraced these alcohol-caffeine combination drinks rapidly, but they come with hidden risks.” These drinks not only impair judgment but also correlate with higher rates of alcohol-related incidents, including drunk driving and sexual misconduct.

What the FDA Says About Caffeine in Alcohol

Regulators are taking notice. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been scrutinizing the safety of alcohol-caffeine blends. In November, the FDA issued warnings to 30 manufacturers, demanding evidence that their products are safe and compliant with federal law.

So far, the FDA has only approved caffeine as an additive in soft drinks, and only at concentrations below 200 parts per million (ppm). It explicitly prohibits adding caffeine to alcoholic beverages unless specifically authorized for a unique use case or recognized as generally safe (GRAS).

Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, introducing any unauthorized substance—such as caffeine—into alcohol is considered unsafe and illegal without prior FDA approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can drinking coffee while consuming alcohol help me sober up?

No, coffee does not help you sober up. While caffeine may make you feel more awake, it does not reverse the impairments caused by alcohol on your brain function, motor skills, or judgment. You may feel less drunk, but you’re still just as impaired.

Are alcohol energy drinks safe to consume?

Alcohol energy drinks that combine caffeine and alcohol pose significant risks. They can mask your level of intoxication, leading to a false sense of alertness and an increased likelihood of engaging in dangerous behaviors like drunk driving. Regulatory agencies warn against their use.

What did the Temple University mouse study find?

The study found that mice given both alcohol and caffeine appeared less anxious and more relaxed but were still unable to avoid threats properly. Caffeine masked the anxiety from alcohol but did not improve hazard avoidance or decision-making, creating a dangerous illusion of competence.

How much caffeine is allowed in soft drinks by the FDA?

The FDA allows caffeine in soft drinks only up to 200 parts per million (ppm), which is roughly equivalent to 0.02% concentration. Caffeine is not approved for addition to alcoholic beverages except under special circumstances or if deemed GRAS (generally recognized as safe).

Why do people feel less drunk when they mix alcohol and caffeine?

Caffeine is a stimulant that can counteract some of the sedative effects of alcohol, making you feel more awake and less tired. However, it does not improve your actual cognitive or physical abilities, leading to a false sense of sobriety and increased risk-taking.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Alert, Focused Brewing

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