Caffeine is arguably the most popular drug in America. But what do you really know about it? This short video explains how the beloved stimulant became the key ingredient in top-selling soft drinks and how those drinks came to be blended with foreign-made synthetic caffeine. It also examines the regulatory mess surrounding this potentially lethal drug in the U.S.

To read the full story go to: https://www.revealnews.org/article/the-buzzkill-about-caffeine/

Director, Producer and Editor Ariane Wu

Based on reporting by Murray Carpenter

Narrator Al Letson

Additional Narration David Gill

Illustrator Anna Vignet

Production Assistants Anna Vignet Greta Mart

Motion Graphics Artists Sam Ward Richard Levien

Colorist Gary Coates

Sound Mixer Christopher Galipo

Music “For a Good Catch” “Magnetically” “String Along” “The Hornet’s Nest”

– Courtesy of De Wolfe Music

“Circus-Fanfare” “And Hey Presto” “Unstoppable”

– Courtesy of Audio Network

PostScript Theme Music Composer Jason Kick

Executive Producer Amanda Pike

Editorial Director Robert Salladay

Images and footage from U.S. Treasury Department Eastman Classroom Films News On The Street Washington University Archives