Energy Drink Consumption, Caffeine Knowledge, and Screening Attitudes Among Medical Students at Two U.S. Medical Schools

Introduction: This study characterized energy drink consumption, caffeine knowledge, self-reported symptoms, and attitudes toward caffeine screening among medical students at two allopathic medical schools.Methods: We distributed an anonymous cross-sectional online survey to approximately 1,360 medical students in fall 2025, and 247 completed it (estimated response rate, 18%).The survey assessed energy drink use, reasons for and timing of use, caffeine knowledge, self-reported symptoms, and attitudes toward clinical screening.Groups were compared using chi-square tests, and comparisons by gender and training year were exploratory.Results: Overall, 177 of 247 respondents (71.7%) reported lifetime energy drink use.Only 130 (52.6%) correctly identified 400 mg as the maximum recommended daily caffeine intake for adults, and 91 (36.8%) correctly estimated the caffeine content of a 16-ounce (oz) energy drink.Knowledge did not differ significantly by school, gender, or training year, and energy drink users were more likely than nonusers to answer both knowledge questions correctly.Among the 177 consumers, the most common symptoms after consumption were increased heart rate (n = 138, 78.0%), sleep disturbances (n = 125, 70.6%), anxiety/nervousness (n = 114, 64.4%), and palpitations (n = 88, 49.7%).Most respondents (n = 214, 86.6%) believed healthcare professionals should routinely ask patients about energy drink and caffeine use.Conclusions: In this cross-sectional survey, energy drink use was common among medical students and was accompanied by gaps in caffeine knowledge and commonly reported symptoms.Teaching caffeine dosing and label reading in medical school may improve caffeine literacy and help students counsel patients, and future studies should test this directly.