Jackson Winget

Jackson Winget

10/23/2013

Caffeine Abuse

If you were handed a random pill and were told it would give you energy, would you take it? Before taking the pill, you would most likely want to know what it is that you’d be consuming. After all, cocaine and methamphetamines can provide a lot of energy, but it is harmful to your body. You should be properly educated about everything you ingest. Caffeine is no different than any other substance, it can destroy your health and is highly addictive. Although, it is well known that cocaine, methamphetamines and many other drugs are bad for your health, if caffeine is abused, it can also destroy your health. As with most things, caffeine needs to be consumed in moderation.

When caffeine is used wisely, problems can be minimized, in fact, the affects can be beneficial. In today’s society there is a huge demand for energy. People tend to overcommit their time and become overwhelmed because there is so much to do with so little time. Caffeine is used as a boost and sometimes as a crutch in many American’s lives in order to function throughout the day. Of course it is well known that caffeine can give you energy, but there are other benefits it can provide as well. Benefits include better focus, increase in metabolism, euphoria, and even weight loss. The most apparent benefit is the ability to accomplish more than what could be done without it. It is much easier to be motivated when you have energy.

Caffeine has become so common that many people seem to be complacent while using it. They are unaware of the damage it can and may cause. Some of the negative effects of caffeine can be detrimental to your health and can cause not only short-term problems, but long-term as well. Unfortunately, some people don’t recognize this until it is too late. The most obvious problem that caffeine can cause is sleeping issues. If it is not used at the right time of day and in the right doses, it may disrupt a person’s sleeping pattern. After eight to ten hours from consuming a cup of coffee, only seventy-five percent of the caffeine has been assimilated. The importance of having a good sleeping schedule is underrated in today’s world. It is very easy to create a cycle that can result in a dependency on this substance. When too much is consumed throughout the day, sleep is more difficult. The less sleep you get, the more caffeine you will need to function the next day. The cycle can be hard to break and as with any drug, the withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable. (Ratini, 2013)

Other negative effects include headaches, irritability, restlessness, an increased heart rate, increased blood sugar, upset stomach, prolonged depression, and panic attacks. With really high doses, more severe symptoms can occur such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Caffeine is also a diuretic, which can cause dehydration and headaches due to the water loss through frequent urination.

One of the most common side effects of caffeine is what people call “the jitters.” “Within half an hour of drinking coffee, the flow of blood to the brain is reduced by between ten percent and twenty percent. Combine that with low blood sugar – either in diabetics or those who haven’t eaten for a while – and you can soon start to feel shaky, have palpitations, feel anxious or suffer blurred vision.” Says Dr. David Kerr of the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. (Bee)

There is usually a safe way to consume caffeine, you should consider your caffeine habits and make necessary changes. The first thing to be mindful of is dependency. Do you need it on a daily basis in order to function? Another thing to be aware of is the dosage. Always read labels carefully and be aware of the milligrams per serving as well as how many servings are in the container. The last thing to consider is the timing of which you consume caffeine. If caffeine is consumed in the morning it should not affect your sleep but if consumed later in the day it can affect the quality and quantity of sleep.

Some people’s tolerance to caffeine is very low and they should use it with extreme caution. However, most people can handle moderate doses without experiencing harmful effects. As with anything in life, it is important to have knowledge and education before using any substance. Every single person is different which means if an article on the internet says you can consume four hundred milligrams of caffeine a day and experience no problems, you shouldn’t take their word for it. Discover what moderation is to you and avoid potential consequences that may arrive.

Works Cited

Bee, P. (n.d.). Ten Facts about Caffeine. Retrieved 10 09, 2013, from Mail Online:

Ratini, M. (2013, March 20). Caffeine Myths and Facts. Retrieved 10 09, 2013, from Webmd: