La Revue du praticien
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The term "energy drink" designates "any product in the form of a drink or concentrated liquid, which claims to contain a mixture of ingredients having the property to raise the level of energy and vivacity". The main brands, Red Bull, Dark Dog, Rockstar, Burn, and Monster, are present in food stores, sports venues, and bars among other soft drinks and fruit juices. Their introduction into the French market raised many reluctances, because of the presence of taurine, caffeine and glucuronolactone. ⋯ The words used alone or in combination are "energy dinks", "caffeine", "taurine", "toxicity", "dependence". An occasional to a moderate consumption of these drinks seems to present little risk for healthy adults. However, excessive consumption associated with the use of alcohol or drugs in amounts that far exceed the manufacturers recommended amount, could be responsible for negative consequences on health, particularly among subjects with cardiovascular disease.
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Designer drugs include, among others, synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones. These new "legal highs" drugs are sold on line for recreational public or private use. Synthetic cannabinoids are a psychoactive herbal and chemical product that, when used, mimics the effects of cannabis. ⋯ There is evidence that negative health and social consequences may occur in recreational and chronic users. The addictive potential of designer drugs is not weak. Furthermore, there is a lack of epidemiological, pharmacological, animal, clinical, psychological and therapeutic data concerning these new synthetic agents.