Energy drinks often have guarana, ginseng, or yerba mate, which add a second wave of stimulation. Guarana, for instance, contains a caffeine-like compound that’s released more slowly, extending the total effect. So that “double shot” might actually linger longer than you think.
Also, a 2026 CDC report noted that mixing energy drinks with alcohol is a dangerous trend—caffeine masks the depressant effects of booze, making you feel less drunk than you are. That combo can keep the energy drink in your system for even longer, up to 12 hours for some people.
