Sleep and the use of energy products in a combat environment

The use of energy products appears to be widespread among deployed personnel, presumably to combat fatigue and sleep deprivation. However, these products have been associated with unpleasant side effects and adverse events, including insomnia, mood swings, fatigue, cardiac arrest, and even death.

To quantify the sleep habits and energy products used among deployed service members in Afghanistan from 2010-2011.

Participants completed an anonymous survey querying their demographic information, sleep habits, combat exposure, and energy product use.

Respondent data: 83% experienced some degree of insomnia; 28% were using a prescription or over-the-counter sleep aid; 81% reported using at least one energy product daily. The most frequently consumed energy products were caffeinated coffee and soda. Only 4 energy products were used more frequently during deployment than prior to deployment: Rip-It, Tiger, Hydroxycut, and energy drink powders. On average, respondents who increased their use consumed only 2 more servings per week during deployment than they had prior to deployment. Only degree of combat exposure, not quantity of energy products consumed, predicted degree of insomnia.

Energy product consumption by service members during deployment was not dramatically different than predeployment and was not associated with insomnia.