Caffeine and alcohol impair judgment more than alcohol alone

The vodka Red Bull, or VRB, has become a favorite cocktail among some young revelers. (One fan even made a video homage, to the tune of Rupert Holmes' 1979 hit "Escape:The Pina Colada Song.") But scientists say that tipplers of caffeine-laden energy drinks mixed with alcohol may have a tougher time knowing when to stop than those who imbibe booze alone.

Researchers at Northern Kentucky University tested students' reaction times while drinking Red Bull with vodka. The students who drank the buzzy cocktail felt more alert and peppy than students who were just quaffing vodka, but were just as bad at controlling their actions as an old-fashioned drunk.

"When you consume alcohol plus an energy drink, you're still as impaired" as someone drinking just alcohol, says Cecile Marczinski, an assistant professor of psychology at Northern Kentucky University. She is lead author of the study, published online in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

[Thank Luke!]