What Energy Drink Has a Tingling Sensation? The Reason Behind the Tingle

November 16, 2025 •

4 min read

Many consumers report experiencing a harmless tingling sensation, known as paresthesia, after consuming certain energy drinks. This unique feeling is most commonly associated with products containing the performance-enhancing ingredient beta-alanine, explaining what energy drink has a tingling sensation.

Quick Summary

A tingling sensation from some energy drinks is caused by the amino acid beta-alanine, a common ingredient in pre-workout formulas. Brands like C4 and Ghost are known to cause this harmless effect. The intensity can vary, but it is not a cause for concern for most people.

Key Points

Beta-Alanine is the Cause: The tingling sensation is a harmless side effect called paresthesia, triggered by the amino acid beta-alanine found in some energy drinks.
C4 and GHOST are Known Culprits: Brands like C4 and GHOST Energy are famous for causing the tingle because they contain beta-alanine, often in formulas based on their pre-workout supplements.
Tingling is Temporary: The sensation is a natural nervous system reaction that typically subsides within 15 to 30 minutes and decreases in intensity with regular use.
Dose-Dependent Effect: The amount of beta-alanine consumed directly correlates with the intensity of the tingle, so a smaller serving results in a milder sensation.
Choose Non-Tingling Alternatives: If you want to avoid the tingling, opt for energy drinks like Monster or Red Bull that do not contain beta-alanine in their formulation.
Safety Profile: Beta-alanine is generally considered safe for healthy adults when taken at recommended doses, with paresthesia being the main known side effect.
Purposeful for Performance: For athletes, the tingle signals that the performance-enhancing ingredient is active and helping to buffer against muscle fatigue.

Why Do Some Energy Drinks Cause a Tingling Sensation?

The distinctive tingling, or 'pins and needles,' feeling that some people experience after drinking certain energy drinks is not an allergic reaction but a common side effect known as paresthesia. This sensation is almost always caused by one specific ingredient: the amino acid beta-alanine. Beta-alanine is a popular supplement in the fitness and bodybuilding community because it helps improve muscular endurance and fight fatigue during high-intensity exercise. When consumed, it can cause nerve endings just under the skin to fire, leading to the tingling sensation, especially in the face, neck, and hands. The effect is temporary, typically lasting for about 15 to 30 minutes, and is considered harmless.

Energy Drinks Containing Beta-Alanine

Some energy drinks, particularly those originally formulated as pre-workout supplements, are designed to include beta-alanine to give users an extra performance boost. The tingling sensation is often seen by athletes as a signal that the supplement is working.

C4 Energy: As a spin-off of the highly popular C4 pre-workout line, C4 Energy drinks prominently feature beta-alanine. The brand even explicitly mentions on its products that the tingling, caused by its patented CarnoSyn® beta-alanine, is a sign of being primed for performance. This makes C4 one of the most widely recognized answers to the question: what energy drink has a tingling sensation? Users on social media frequently share experiences of the trademark tingling after consuming C4.
GHOST Energy: Another brand that incorporates beta-alanine is GHOST Energy. As with C4, GHOST originated in the supplement space before expanding into ready-to-drink energy beverages. Their Legend Pre-Workout, which contains a higher dose of beta-alanine, is known for this effect, and it's also present in some of their energy drink formulas. For GHOST consumers, the tingling is also a well-documented and expected effect.
Other Pre-Workout Hybrids: It's worth noting that many ready-to-drink products blurring the line between energy drinks and pre-workouts will include beta-alanine. When in doubt, checking the ingredients list is the most reliable way to know if a product will cause the tingle. If you see beta-alanine, CarnoSyn®, or similar proprietary blends, you can expect the sensation.

Comparison of Tingling and Non-Tingling Energy Drinks

To better understand the differences, here is a comparison table outlining features of drinks that cause a tingling sensation versus those that don't.


Feature	C4 Energy	GHOST Energy	Monster Energy	Red Bull Energy
Beta-Alanine	Yes	Yes (in some formulas)	No	No
Purpose	Performance & Energy	Energy & Focus	Energy & Refreshment	Energy & Stimulation
Typical Caffeine	150-200 mg	200 mg	160 mg	111 mg
Tingling Sensation	Yes, common	Yes, common	No	No
Target User	Athletes, Fitness Enthusiasts	Fitness & Gaming Community	General Energy Drinkers	General Energy Drinkers

Managing the Beta-Alanine Tingle

While the tingle is not harmful, some people may find it uncomfortable. If you wish to reduce the effect, there are several strategies you can employ:

Reduce Dose: The intensity of the tingling is dose-dependent. Drinking less than a full can can lessen the effect. This is easy to test by starting with half a serving.
Find Sustained-Release Formulas: Some pre-workout products offer sustained-release versions of beta-alanine, which release the amino acid into the bloodstream more slowly and reduce the intensity of the tingle. While less common in canned energy drinks, some specialized products may offer this benefit.
Build a Tolerance: With regular consumption, many users find that the intensity of the tingling sensation decreases over time. Your body simply gets used to the ingredient.
Take with Food: Consuming the beverage with a meal can slow down the absorption rate of beta-alanine, which may also help to diminish the tingling sensation.
Choose Alternatives: If you simply don't like the tingle, stick to energy drinks that do not contain beta-alanine. Popular options like Monster, Red Bull, or many other mainstream energy drinks will not cause this effect.

Is Beta-Alanine Safe?

For healthy adults, beta-alanine is considered safe when consumed in recommended doses. The paresthesia side effect is not a sign of danger but simply a natural reaction of the nervous system. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates dietary supplements differently than medications, so it's always wise to check the label for ingredients and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any pre-existing health conditions or concerns. The benefit of beta-alanine for athletic performance, by increasing carnosine in muscles to buffer against acid buildup, is backed by scientific research. For those not seeking performance enhancement, the tingle may just be an unwanted side effect.

Conclusion

The tingling sensation from energy drinks is a direct result of the ingredient beta-alanine, most famously found in brands like C4 and GHOST. This effect, known as paresthesia, is a harmless neural reaction, not an allergic one. It’s a purposeful side effect for many athletes who use these drinks as pre-workout supplements to boost performance. For casual consumers who find the sensation undesirable, avoiding products with beta-alanine is the easiest solution, with plenty of non-tingling alternatives available on the market. Understanding the science behind the tingle can help you make an informed decision and find the right energy drink for your needs.

For more detailed information on beta-alanine, consult a reliable health resource like Healthline's beginner's guide to beta-alanine.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary ingredient is beta-alanine, an amino acid often included in energy and pre-workout supplements to enhance muscular endurance.

No, the tingling sensation, known as paresthesia, is a harmless nervous system reaction. It is not an allergic reaction and typically poses no health risks for healthy individuals.

Brands like C4 Energy and GHOST Energy are well-known for containing beta-alanine and, therefore, commonly cause a tingling sensation.

The tingling will naturally subside on its own. To reduce its intensity, you can try consuming a smaller dose, taking it with food, or waiting for your body to build a tolerance with regular consumption.

No, most mainstream energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster do not contain beta-alanine. It is typically found in products specifically formulated as pre-workout supplements.

Athletes use beta-alanine because it increases muscle carnosine levels, which helps to reduce muscle fatigue during high-intensity exercise, allowing them to train longer and harder.

The tingle is a signal that the beta-alanine is active, a feeling some athletes associate with being ready for a workout. However, the presence or intensity of the tingle does not directly correlate with the effectiveness of the energy or performance benefits.