A common sight – and breakfast replacement for some – is a caffeinated drink in the morning.

Walking the halls, you’re bound to see numerous energy drinks and coffees in the hands of students and sometimes teachers.

History teacher Ashton Petrisor is seen every morning chatting with the other history teachers in Q hall, an Alani Nu energy drink in hand.“I know it’s not good for me, but it keeps me awake,” Petrisor said. “My favorite flavor is pink slush.”

Besides the taste, what is the reason so many people bring a caffeinated drink in the morning?

“I’m an athlete, so caffeine is needed daily,” senior basketball player Karlie Demel said.

Though it gives a temporary boost of energy, excessive consumption of caffeine can have an opposite effect. 

“I tend to drink a couple of energy drinks or coffee in the morning, and I end up crashing at the end of the day,” senior Thor Chlumsky said.

Nurse Christy Higginbotham and paraprofessional Melissa Igo warn against caffeine, especially in the developing minds of teens.

“All around, it’s bad,” Higginbotham said. “We’ve had kids come in shaking and panicking due to having an energy drink, and the sad thing is, we can‘t do anything for them.”

Caffeine is also known to stunt growth in children and teens.

Many parents have attempted to ban energy drinks, but a lot of those kids have learned to be sneaky.

“My mom has tried to ban me from drinking them, but I literally can’t go without it anymore,” sophomore Vivienne Peck said. “I know it’s not good, but I will be so tired every day if I don’t have an Alani.”

According to Higginbotham, eating healthy and getting enough sleep will give you more energy than caffeine ever will.

“It’s an alternative, but not a good one.”