Caffeine Addict
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Caffeine induces a slightly elevated mood, alertness, sensitivity of touch, smell, sight, and hearing. It can also cause nervousness, irritability, insomnia, tremors, and depression. The physical effects can include constricted cerebral blood vessels, increased blood flow in the body, heart stimulation, increased basal metabolic rate, limited glucose metabolism, relaxation in some smooth muscles, and increased urine flow.
Caffeine also shortens sleep time, reduced depth of sleep, increases early dream-state sleep and reduces later dream-state sleep. It can intensify elevated blood pressure effects when combined with tobacco smoking. Caffeine is also sometimes substituted for amphetamine street drugs.
Harmful effects can include:
rapid, irregular heartbeat.
increased blood pressure
high blood sugar levels
urine acid
tremors
convulsions
headache
“caffeinism” (ringing in the ears, extreme sensitivity to pain and touch)
sleep disorders
possible cancer-causing effects
withdrawal effects
death from convulsion
heart and breathing problems due to overdose
overdose can be fatal in children
Dependence develops with tolerance to effects and psychological need for ritual, such as morning coffee. Abstinence syndrome can begin within 18 hours of last dose. This can bring on symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, lethargy, muscle tension, headache, constipation, and inability to think clearly.
Unborn children may be affected by caffeine passing through placental barrier.
Fact: Caffeine is the most widely used drug in the world, for children and adults.
Beverge
Beverage Amount
Caffeine Amount (mg)
Coffee (drip)
5 oz.
110 – 150
Coffee (perk)
5 oz.
60 – 125
Coffee (instant)
5 oz.
40 – 105
Coffee