Why do I feel tingling when I drink energy drinks?

January 5, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the Substance Abuse Services and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), emergency department visits linked to energy drink consumption increased significantly, often due to side effects from potent ingredients. This tingling is a common, though often alarming, side effect with several potential causes rooted in the drink's ingredients and your body's reaction.

Quick Summary

Tingling after consuming energy drinks is often caused by ingredients like beta-alanine or high doses of niacin, triggering temporary paresthesia or a niacin flush. Overconsumption of caffeine and heightened anxiety can also contribute to the sensation.

Key Points

Beta-Alanine (Paresthesia): Many energy drinks, especially fitness-oriented ones, contain beta-alanine, an amino acid that can cause a temporary, harmless tingling or itchy sensation known as paresthesia, usually lasting less than an hour.
Niacin Flush (Vitamin B3): High concentrations of niacin in energy drinks can cause a temporary 'flush,' which includes warmth, redness, and tingling due to increased blood flow.
Caffeine Overstimulation: Excessive caffeine intake can lead to nervous system overstimulation, which can cause jitters, anxiety, and trembling that may be perceived as tingling.
Excess B-Vitamin Intake (Long-term Risk): Over a prolonged period, consistently consuming high doses of B-vitamins, particularly Vitamin B6, can cause peripheral neuropathy, a form of nerve damage characterized by persistent numbness and tingling.
Individual Sensitivity Matters: The severity of tingling varies significantly between individuals based on their body mass, metabolism, and sensitivity to the active ingredients.
When to Seek Medical Advice: While mostly harmless, severe symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, or persistent tingling should prompt a consultation with a healthcare professional.

Energy drinks are formulated to provide a boost using various stimulants and additives that can sometimes lead to unexpected side effects, such as a tingling sensation. Medically known as paresthesia, this feeling can vary in intensity and is typically harmless and temporary. Understanding the potential causes, primarily beta-alanine, high doses of niacin (Vitamin B3), and caffeine, can help you determine if the reaction is normal or if it warrants concern.

The Main Culprits: Beta-Alanine and Niacin

Beta-Alanine: The 'Pre-Workout Tingle'

Beta-alanine is an amino acid commonly added to energy drinks, particularly those targeting a fitness audience. It's a frequent cause of the tingling or itchy feeling experienced after consumption.

Beta-alanine works by boosting muscle carnosine levels, which aids in buffering lactic acid during intense exercise.
Higher doses can activate sensory nerves under the skin, resulting in paresthesia, often felt in the face, neck, and hands.
This sensation is a normal and harmless reaction that typically disappears within an hour.
Regular use may lead to increased tolerance, potentially reducing the tingling over time.

Niacin Flush: A Rush of Warmth

Many energy drinks contain high amounts of B-vitamins, including niacin (Vitamin B3), often exceeding daily recommendations. High supplemental doses of niacin can cause a temporary 'niacin flush'.

This flush happens when niacin dilates capillaries, increasing blood flow to the skin and causing a hot, itchy, or tingling feeling, often with redness.
The niacin flush is not dangerous and generally resolves within 15 to 90 minutes.
Consuming the drink with food or sipping it slowly may help reduce the intensity of the flush.

Caffeine's Role in Tingling

Beyond specific supplements, the significant amount of caffeine in energy drinks, a central nervous system stimulant, can also contribute to tingling sensations, particularly at high doses.

Anxiety and Hyperventilation: High caffeine intake can increase anxiety and lead to hyperventilation, potentially causing tingling or numbness in the hands and feet due to altered carbon dioxide levels.
Jitters and Tremors: The stimulating effects of caffeine can cause jitters and muscle tremors, which can be perceived as tingling, especially in the extremities.
Caffeine Overdose: In cases of caffeine toxicity (caffeinism), tingling around the mouth and extremities is a known symptom. Milder overconsumption can produce similar, less severe effects.

High B-Vitamin Content: A Potential Long-Term Risk

While temporary niacin flush is benign, consistent high intake of energy drinks, particularly those high in Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), can pose a long-term health risk.

Chronic, excessive consumption of Vitamin B6 can lead to peripheral neuropathy, characterized by persistent numbness, burning, and tingling in the hands and feet.
This is a less common but more serious issue resulting from prolonged overconsumption.
Monitoring ingredient labels for high B6 content and considering your total vitamin intake from all sources is crucial to avoid this long-term risk.

Comparison Table: Beta-Alanine vs. Niacin

Here's a comparison to help distinguish the two most common causes of temporary tingling:


Feature	Beta-Alanine (Paresthesia)	Niacin Flush (Vitamin B3)
Sensation	Pins and needles, itching	Warmth, redness, tingling, itching
Onset Time	Typically 15-30 minutes post-consumption	Typically 15-30 minutes post-consumption
Duration	Usually subsides within an hour	Lasts 15-90 minutes
Mechanism	Activates specific sensory nerve receptors	Dilates blood capillaries in the skin
Main Symptoms	Prickling, itching on face/extremities	Flushing, warmth, redness on face/chest
Harmfulness	Harmless at recommended doses	Harmless, but high doses may be risky over time
Mitigation	Take in smaller, split doses; take with food	Take with food; start with smaller amounts

When to Be Concerned About Tingling

While tingling is often a harmless side effect, there are instances where it could signal a more serious issue. Discontinue energy drink consumption and seek medical advice if:

Tingling occurs alongside severe symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, significant dizziness, or an irregular heartbeat.
The sensation persists for more than a few hours or becomes a chronic problem.
You suspect long-term vitamin B6 toxicity, which can lead to permanent nerve damage.

Conclusion

Experiencing tingling after an energy drink is typically a temporary, harmless reaction to ingredients like beta-alanine or high doses of niacin. Caffeine overconsumption can also contribute through nervous system stimulation. While generally not concerning, it's important to be aware of your body's response and moderate intake. Seek medical attention for severe or persistent symptoms. Checking ingredient lists and understanding your sensitivity can help you manage energy drink consumption without discomfort.

For more information on safe caffeine intake, consult reliable sources like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Frequently Asked Questions

Paresthesia is the medical term for the tingling, prickling, or itchy sensation. Beta-alanine, an amino acid found in many energy drinks, triggers this by activating sensory nerves under the skin, a harmless and temporary side effect.

The temporary tingling caused by beta-alanine or a niacin flush is generally harmless. However, severe symptoms like chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or persistent numbness could indicate a more serious issue and require medical attention.

No, not all energy drinks cause tingling. The sensation is tied to specific ingredients like beta-alanine and high doses of niacin. Checking the ingredient label for these components is the best way to know what to expect.

With repeated consumption of ingredients like beta-alanine, your body can build up a tolerance. This means that the nervous system becomes less sensitive to the active ingredient, and the tingling effect diminishes.

To reduce the tingling, you can take smaller doses, spread out your intake, or consume the drink with food. Taking an aspirin about 30 minutes prior might also help reduce a niacin flush.

High amounts of caffeine can overstimulate the central nervous system, leading to anxiety and hyperventilation, which can cause tingling in the extremities. It can also cause jitters and muscle tremors that mimic a tingling feeling.

While a temporary niacin flush is not a cause for alarm, chronic, high intake of Vitamin B6 from energy drinks and other supplements can lead to nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), causing persistent tingling and numbness. This is a sign of long-term overconsumption.