Phrase "spike up the energy level"

[Hongdung]

Can you explain to me this sentence:

My trick was to use a lot of editorial art, especially poison-penned cartoon that spiked up the energy level and cast issue in powerful imagery.

(trick means the way the author - a reporter - attracts the attention of readers)

This sentence makes me confused, especially phrase "spike up the energy level"

Thanks a lot
Jung

[Dieter Radke]

It means to instigate and to incite somebody to do something