How Much Caffine Is Too Much?

In modern American society, addiction to Caffine has become as commonplace as driving a car. A large percentage of Americans report drinking coffee, or other caffeinated beverages, on a daily basis.

Our obsession with Caffine has resulted in many people feeding an addiction they don’t even know they have. Although many people never get to the point of being unable to function because of a Caffine addiction (thus the reason for no official diagnosis of a “Caffine addiction”), the fact is that there is such a thing as too much Caffine.

Caffine is found in a variety of different foods and drinks. Most people are familiar with caffeinated coffees and soft drinks. However, Caffine is also found in tea, chocolate, most sports/energy drinks, pain relievers and cold medicines. Classified as a stimulant, Caffine produces an effect that causes users to enjoy a heightened level of energy and alertness.

As most users know, however, Caffine users often “come down” a short while after consumption, often resulting in symptoms such as decreased alertness, headaches, nausea and drowsiness, to name a few. Excessive quantities of Caffine can result in less desirable effects such as restlessness, anxiety, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), difficulty sleeping and more. The timetable usually takes place as such: Within about 15 minutes after consumption, the effects of Caffine begin to kick in. The effects peak about 15 minutes after onset, then a plateau occurs before the effects begin to dissipate, returning users to a normal rate of activity.

 Although most people are not necessarily aware of how much is too much, it is important to know that there is a point where Caffine consumption can be dangerously excessive.  This is especially true for those who consume large quantities of coffee. A moderate dose of Caffine in a single day is 250-300 mg. This equals about three cups of coffee (at around 8 ounces for each cup). Between three and ten cups is excessive and drinking beyond ten cups in a day can result in Caffine poisoning. For other beverages, this equals four cups of tea or six sodas (at around 12 ounces each).

There are negative effects of excessive Caffine use. Often, those who consume Caffine on a daily basis find themselves in a “withdrawal” if consumption decreases or ceases altogether. These symptoms can include vomiting, headaches, tremors, nausea, irritability, depression and a general feeling of discomfort. These symptoms are similar to those of a Caffine overdose. The major difference between withdrawal from Caffine and an overdose is that after a few days of Caffine withdrawal, symptoms will cease. In a Caffine overdose, symptoms progressively worsen, leading to more serious effects and in some cases even death.  Although ingesting a lethal dose of Caffine is difficult to do with coffee or soda, there have been reports of people dying from Caffine overdoses when using Caffine pills. Students cramming for tests and those who have to work long hours or graveyard shifts will often use Caffine pills to keep themselves alert. However, these pills do carry risks (higher than those of consuming caffeinated beverages) and should be used with care and caution.

There is such a thing as too much Caffine and with respect to your overall health, it’s a good idea to be informed about how much is too much.  Balance Caffine consumption with healthier alternatives such as water, and be careful to lessen your intake gradually in order to avoid symptoms of Caffine withdrawal.

Many people consume moderate doses of Caffine on a daily basis, and drinking java and soft drinks has certainly become ingrained in American culture. As with anything, consuming moderate amounts of Caffine doesn’t usually have negative effects as long as users stay within acceptable limits.