The Sensory Switch Project
How sensory and physiological responses affect habit formation for products with psycho-physiological active components (PACs)
Worldwide, PAC-containing products with active ingredients like caffeine, taurine, ginseng, green tea extract, and creatine promise to boost physical and mental performance. In recent years, these products have gained popularity, especially among children. This increasing market has prompted public health concerns due to a lack of product safety information, especially for children and adolescents.
Why should we concern?
- Excessive PAC use may adversely affect the cardiovascular, haematological, and gastrointestinal systems, and may cause anxiety and sleep deprivation by affecting the central nervous system.
- Regular consumption of these products may contribute to weight gain and obesity, because of the high levels of sugar and artificial sweeteners used to counteract the harshness of caffeine.
- Some of these new emerging products (inhaling aromatics, sniffing powder) may encourage youth to use tobacco or cocaine due to their similar application methods.